Korean Job Discussion Forums

[andrew.garth]

I recently did an interview for Sun Moon University. Does anybody know about the school's reputation as an employer? Do you know anybody who works there (or did recently)? Any horror stories?

[edwardcatflap]

Has it got anything to do with the Moonies?

[Wangddaddy]

Is this for a job at the university or for a job at one of the public schools?

[andrew.garth]

It is the university run by the "Moonies." Everything I've read says that their views don't effect my life as an employee or enter the classroom.

It is with the university.

[sigmundsmith]

this was my first university job. For my first one it was ok. but I had to move from Seoul down there. If you have a car that will help you get around but there are buses that can take you to cheonan and to the ktx station.

The university is fine. they dont instill their beliefs on you. The admin are pleasant and not all of them are moonies. Some of the longer and older foreign teachers there are moonies but their beliefs were never introduced to me or brought up at any time.

The students level of English is overall quite low although you do get the odd one or two who are really enthusiastic and keen to improve. Class sizes are big and multi media (was) limited to just a cd player but that may have changed.

Accommodation. You have (I had) 3 choices. Housing allowance, dorm on campus or apartment. I chose the apartment. Large living room 1 bedroom in a very old apartment complex. About a 30 minute walk to the campus but if there are teachers living in the complex who have a car or bike you can catch a ride.

Negative thing is isolation. You will be living in the middle of nowhere. If you speak a little bit of Korean you can get by as these are country people so don't expect them to speak much english.

All in all if this will be your first university job (and if you don't have a masters degree) it is not bad. They leave you alone to do your teaching. As long as you get good evaluation from your students that is what they are more concerned about.

Any other questions just ask.

[Gorf]

Echoing what sigmudnsmith said.

Don't take the dorms, they don't allow mixed genders to enter the buildings.

It's outside of Cheonan, which is basically in the middle of nowhere.

[young_clinton]

[toddt82]

If this university is in Asan I know someone who is working there, or at least was. I can give you her contact info if you like. Although I don't have her permission, I'm sure she won't be offended if you message her through FB asking some questions.

let me know if you still want input on this.

[chniha]

i actually live very close to sun moon. i'd say the isolation is a major drawback. however, at least the campus has regular shuttles to Cheonan and to the KTX /subway/train station. FYI, you do NOT want to live at Hongik Apartments. That's where I live and they were built in the 70s... ugh..
anyway, I know quite a few people who work there. Are you teaching at the school or FOR the school? most of the people I know are employed by sun moon and have housing on campus, but teach at a public school off campus that may or may not be a 40 minute bus ride.

[andrew.garth]

Thanks for the advice on Hong Ik Apartment. Unfortunately, it was a bit late - I moved in today. It's old, but I've had worse housing situations in Korea...

I'm teaching AT Sun Moon. It's a bit of hike over there, but doable.