Korean Job Discussion Forums

[unclejoe80]

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody could tell me about taking christmas holidays on the GEPIK program? I am applying for a position and it's important I can take time off to go home for christmas. I read in some places it's a problem getting time off for this period. Is this the case?

Apparently I will have 20 days holiday + all the national holidays. Although I heard that this is not strictly the way it is and actually the national holidays are sometimes counted as part of the 20 days.

Can somebody clear this up for me as I'm a little confused as I've found conflicting information on the web.

Thanks in advance.

[schwa]

I wouldnt bank on an xmas vacation. Your school or district may well have other plans for your time. You'll get all your due vacation days but most likely not at your choosing.

[passport220]

I don't think anyone can really give you a clear answer as the site manager (school principal or local program director) has a lot of say in how it will work out for you. My advice is to make clear the dates you need off early and often.

Also, write up some type of proposal (short and sweet) on how you will use the time off to improve your job skills and submit it to your principal. ie: during my Christmas vacation, I will first observe, then compare and contrast traditional Western holidays with traditional Korean holidays and prepare a lesson plan to teach students holiday words and phrases. Some kind of BS along those lines. Just something to hang your hat on that you will do some kind of professional development during your time off.

[ttompatz]

School may or may not be out by Dec. 25. (I have worked in schools that have had classes as late as Dec 2.

They may have "camps" scheduled for the 1st part of Jan. or may delay them to the later part of Jan.

Do NOT count on getting your vacation time at XMAS. 1st year in and the odds are not in your favor and you probably won't have enough good-will stacked up to get past it.

You will get your 20 work days (10 in the summer break and 10 in the winter break) but the dates may or may not be of your choosing.

.

[Weigookin74]

[unclejoe80]

I suppose I'll just request the time off early and hope for the best then. Good to know the 20 days and the national holidays are off though. Thanks for replies.

[wylies99]

I hate to sound callous but you'll miss many holidays and family events when you choose to work overseas. It comes with the terrority.

[unclejoe80]

Don't worry, it's not being callous. I think it's just stating the obvious.

[jurassic82]

I have been working for SMOE for four years now and every year I have gotten one week around Christmas. I can not speak for GEPIK but most people I know that work at public schools started their camp after the New Year. Again I can't speak for everyone but this has been my experience while working in Seoul. I think there is a good chance you could still go back for the holidays if you are willing to go back for that short period of time.

[wings]

One of the biggest problems with going home for Christmas is that even if you do have vacation around Christmas it might not start until the 24th and you might need to be back for the first week of January. Your ticket will be really expensive and you will end up spending 5 days at home. If you stay in Korea for your first year and then resign you can work a longer Christmas vacation into your contract for the next year.

[sojusucks]