Korean Job Discussion Forums

Teechuh · Joined: 15 Jun 2013

I think the trick is to make sure you talk to the teacher you'll be replacing. If the hagwon won't put you in touch with them or the teacher only gives it a luke warm recommendation it probably isn't worth a year of your life. I made that mistake the first year and lived to regret it. Second time around though I took the time to do my research properly and I have ended up in a great school with a fantastic boss and co-workers and have had had zero problems in my eighteen months here.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Regarding teaching at a University with an E-2 visa, (with just a BA)

If you've found one that will hire you in the first place, you're doing well.

Many universities won't hire teachers on E2 visas because they don't want

the hassle of dealing with all that "visa crap". They'll even give someone married to a Korean with just a BA preference over someone with an MA and an E2.

The ones that may will likely work you to death with extra classes

for little or no extra pay. I do know some people who have gone that route.

You're better off in a PS job than what many of the low tier Unis offer.

So if your Uni won't allow you to work other jobs, you'd make sure

another Uni will even hire you before you walk away.

Threequalseven · Joined: 08 May 2012

Just come over. Take the plunge. It's only a year. I came over with my girlfriend last August and we've had no regrets. There's no reason to not go because it might not be as good as you'd hoped. Understand that horror stories are the minority. Of all the hagwon teacher's I've met here so far, I've only known one to quit her job. Living in Korea is an experience that you'll always have, so why not come try it out? Just don't get any ideas in your head that it will be fun and easy and rainbows and flowers. There's a reason you're getting paid to do it. The hagwon system is pretty bad: few days off, unrealistic expectations, teaching to impress the parents not to actually learn English. I don't know anybody who thoroughly enjoys working at a hagwon. But that's no reason not to come. You'll experience a new country and you'll save a good fit of money as well.

The BIG issue is going to be how well you and your girlfriend can get along living in such close quarters and seeing each other 24/7. If I were you, I would prepare yourselves to try to spend as much time apart as you can. That means finding your own hobbies, going to the gym at different times, that sort of thing. All the couples I know can agree that spending so much time with one person is seriously trying on your relationship. So instead of asking whether working at a hagwon is a good decision, I'd be asking if you're ready to be around this person ALL THE TIME.