Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JustinC]

Rather than cook in the nude I'd prefer some a/c. I work for GEPIK and am tempted to ask the school to provide a unit for my apartment, but don't know how to go about this. My thoughts are I'll write a letter to the Principal, asking how do I get a/c in my apartment - do I install it, get the landlord to or consume some of my school's resources? In the letter I would start "I very much enjoy working in your school" and "my home life would be much more comfortable with an a/c unit. Is it up to the school, the landlord or me to get it put in? If it's me, where do I go?" I'd get it translated into Korean by my co-teachers.

I'm sure there are many problems in the way I'm considering doing it like this, but I know so little about Korean Public School politics and courtesies that I don't know where to start addressing them. I have a good relationship with my English department and students and I'm never late or sick, so I think I've a pretty good chance of a sympathetic ear. It's a big ask, possibly, but a bigger issue for me as I love coming home to a cool apartment. I tend to 'run hot' as body temperature goes (not fat, just lots of body temp) and the resulting skin problems from sweat and heat are uncomfortable, to say the least. I have trouble sleeping in a warm room and am already waking up with damp patches in the bed. So I stay up late to appreciate the cool air and I'm tired the next day.

Any tips on keeping cool, installing a/c and speaking to admin are all very welcome.

[nora]

If it's not in the contract, you won't be getting it.

AC is expensive. 400k might get you a cheap wall unit, but then with installation and delivery, you're looking 500k minimum, probably in the 700-800k range.

Then there is the issue of the landlord. Will he let you drill holes in the wall and mount the AC unit? When you leave, will you have to pay to get it fixed up? What will the school do with the AC unit when you leave? They aren't in the used appliance business, so I doubt they want it, and the landlord will probably offer them some tiny amount to keep it.

Long story short, you can ask but it probably won't go anywhere. You can probably get a fan, but AC - good luck.

[JustinC]

[alongway]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[shostahoosier]

Same here.

I got a small unit installed (which I felt awful about as they drilled a hole in the wall) and it has been a life saver.

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

If I didn't have an AC installed, and my school wouldn't pay for it, I'd just have it done on my own dime and let the landlord keep it at the end, so he didn't have incentive to keep any key money.

[JustinC]

I so want to get a/c in my apartment. It's not a bad place it's just I get hot so easily. I'll try some of your ideas, thanks, and I'll tell you'all how it goes. Thanks again

[JustinC]

Especially TUM - kudos to you !

[Squire]

Just buy a fan. You shouldn't have to pay more than 50k won for a decent sized one, and they do the job.

I've got underfloor heating that only covers half of the room so I bought an electric radiator. I bought a fan because I don't like having the AC on too often. I might turn them all on at once to see what happens

[wylies99]

[Nismo]

...so take off all your clothes.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I am generally opposed to AC because it results in a vicious cycle of worsening environmental problems (besides, the heat is really not that bad unless you're crammed in a sweaty subway), but the mosquitoes here trump that. After I close the windows, it gets stiflingly unbearable, and I guiltily activate the AC during the peak heat period.

What I do when I don't (guiltily) use AC is get a nice cross-breeze going, aided by strategically placed fans. It gets the job done quite well. If you're adamant about getting AC, I would do what others have suggested and guilt-trip your employer by subtly linking the lack of AC in your apartment to diminished job performance. The key is that it has to be subtle. It will fail if it comes across as an ultimatum.

[JustinC]

[wylies99]

Justin, tell them you need AC. They know where to get them very cheaply. These schools have plenty of money.

[radcon]

Think cool thoughts. Imagine yourself at the north pole with polar bears and igloos. Should do the trick.