Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Justine]

Hey,

How does EPIK stand on tattoos?

I have a small one behind my ear and my husband has one on his wrist.

Oh and nose rings? Can I change it for a Stud?


Last question,

With regards to picking what age groups you teach, does your starting time for work depend on what age group your teaching?

Thanks

[ttompatz]

[Estelio_]

This thread is a little old so I wanted to comment and update it with some new info.

I was informed by my recruiter this week that EPIK has a "zero tolerance" policy on tattoos and that you would need to sign a document saying that they will never show in class or in the school whatsoever. He mentioned that GEPIK would be the same, as they can afford to be picky now.

Now, you could certainly sign this document and see how it goes at your particular school. However, unless the tattoo is very private, the kids will probably find it during a play session. If that is an uncomfortable gamble for you, try private school.

[enj0i]

Hmmmm, policies are probably the same for TaLK ya? I'm a guy with some tats on my biceps/ribs/chest. MY largest tat on my right arm is in Kanji, will that piss off some Koreans? I have no clue how the Koreans feel about the Japanese...

What about earrings? I have somewhat big gauges (2) in my ears, how do they see that?

[roguefishfood]

[HELICIS]

[ciannagh]

I'm rather heavily tattooed (I have 14 tattoos) and am planning on applying for EPIK for the fall semester. The whole zero tolerance policy worries me somewhat. My tattoos, for the most part, are very easily covered. The only time my tattoos are really ever exposed is in summer, when I wear shorts and tank tops (which I wouldn't wear in the classroom, anyhow). If I dress conservatively, they're not visible, with the exception of one I have on my inner right forearm just below my elbow. It's small and not colored. I think I may just cover it up with makeup, or get a skin colored bandage to wear over it.

I reviewed the whole application, and I'm trying to think of a good way to word the tattoo question. I'm considering writing "I have seven tattoos. They are easily covered by conservative, professional clothing and would not be visible in any classroom setting".

Is disclosing the number of tattoos I have even necessary? Several of them are on my back and can't be seen unless I walk about with my shirt off and the ones on my legs are easily covered. Part of me just wants to say I have one, (the one below my elbow) and not talk about any of the other ones at all. The downside is that I'll always have to have my right and left biceps covered, but this doesn't really seem like a big deal.

Thoughts? Should I be honest about all 14, or just reveal the one that is the most visible?

[Rutherford]

To all the soon to be newbies wondering what to disclose on their EPIK applications, please don't take these things seriously. Get in the habit of lying about these things.

EPIK does not want to know about your tattoos. They just don't want to have schools calling them later and complaining that their foreign teacher looks funny. Whether your school will do this or not is not determined by some sort of code of conduct but whether they like you or not. It's completely subjective. If you have coverable tattoos, just lie about it. They don't want to know they just don't want to see them.

The same approach is necessary if you've had some sort of medical or psychological problem in the past that is not an issue for you now. Noone's going to check and noone cares. Just make sure you're well enough to have no chance of a relapse in a new, confusing country.

[MollyBloom]

I worked for SMOE for a few years and when asked that question I just wrote that I have a few small ones that are hidden by clothing, which is the truth. It was no problem when I re-signed the contract last year.

However, in regards to Rutherfords post, I do agree that medical/psychological problems should be hidden, as long as they will not pose a serious problem.

I don't see why any personal information like that is anyone's business, but like someone said, it's all about image here and employers don't want students complaining.

Just to add, it's not like SMOE will tell the schools to watch out for tattoos on the foreign teachers. Nothing about it is written in the contract, and I doubt schools know anything about the application process. I just told my school I was not renewing, and some teachers thought the poor English dept. pujangnim had the hard job of finding another teacher to replace me. They were shocked when I told them SMOE places teachers randomly in schools. That sure made my crazy pujangnim lose face when they found out she lied.

[swinewho]