Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Hoitonii_Sanchez]

Hi everyone!
This is my first post on the forum, please be kind to me!

I was wondering if anyone here has used or heard of geovisions' Paid Teaching in South Korea program . It's $1,599 not including the cost of the TESOL course which can be taken online through them or on my own before I leave.

This is what's included

• A job matching service to find you a paid teaching position before you travel
  
• 120-hour online TESOL/TEFL course (if you choose the TESOL/TEFL option)
  
• Starting salary of at least $20,000 (USD) per year
  
• One week online Korean language and culture orientation
  
• Airport pickup may be included (depending on individual school)
  
• Accommodation
  
• Flight costs
  
• End of contract bonus
  
• Medical insurance (depending on school)
  
• Paid holiday time during teaching placement
  
• Full background check on school
  
• Contract negotiation
  
• Visa advice and support
  
• Access to online teaching resource throughout your placement
  
• 24-hour support
  

I understand that with Geovisions I am basically paying for the extra help with getting a job and the visa process as well as in country support. This will be my first time out of the country and I am definitely willing to pay for such services. I just wanted to know if anyone has had experience with companies like these and if so are there some that are better, or worse, than Geovisions?

[Ginormousaurus]

This may be one of the biggest rip-offs I've ever seen!

[Hoitonii_Sanchez]

@Ginormousaurus
Why do you think so?

[Ginormousaurus]

This is what's included

• A job matching service to find you a paid teaching position before you travel Recruiters are already paid by the school to do this. You don't need to pay them too.
  
• 120-hour online TESOL/TEFL course (if you choose the TESOL/TEFL option) Not included in the fee.
  
• Starting salary of at least $20,000 (USD) per year This is supposed to be a selling point? What are they doing for you?
  
• One week online Korean language and culture orientation Not needed at all, but can be done for free online.
  
• Airport pickup may be included (depending on individual school) May or may not be provided; depends on the school. That's a pretty expensive pick-up.
  
• Accommodation Provided by the school.
  
• Flight costs Provided by the school.
  
• End of contract bonus Provided by the school by law.
  
• Medical insurance (depending on school) Provided by the school.
  
• Paid holiday time during teaching placement Ha! Provided by the school.
  
• Full background check on school This could be helpful if you can trust the info they give you.
  
• Contract negotiation You want to pay for this?
  
• Visa advice and support Internet
  
• Access to online teaching resource throughout your placement Internet
  
• 24-hour support This could be helpful if they actually come through for you when (if) you need them.
  

I really don't see what services you'd be paying for other than the 24-hour support (which may or may not be helpful) and the access to online teaching resources (which may or may not be helpful).

It looks like a serious rip-off. I know moving to a new country for the first time can seem a little overwhelming, and having someone to help you out can ease some of the stress. But they are listing as part of their services many things that are standard and have nothing to do with them at all (eg. accomodations, flight costs, holiday time, insurance, etc.).

They are looking to take advantage of nervous newbies.

[raewon]

I took a quick look at their website.

Below are a few things that confused me.

[Hokie21]

[Steelrails]

I have to applaud Geovisions for its hucksterism. And I wish I could sell cars all the live long day to the OP and his ilk.

[*]Advanced Safety Restraints (seat belts)
[*]Free Spare Parts Included (spare tire)
[*]Multimedia-Capable (radio)
[*]Automotive Literary Materials Included (owner's manual)
[*]Vehicle Identity tracked by our office (VIN number)
[*]Automatic Controls Available
[*]Continuous Updates on your vehicles status and condition (odometer, tachometer, etc.)

[Old Painless]

Quote:

Most schools in Korea place the upper age limit for visiting teachers at 45, but there may be a subtle age bias towards younger teachers. However, if you are active, vibrant, energetic and a creative educator wholoves being around young people, you will be able to secure a job..

Hahahahahahaha!

[SeoulNate]

to be fair, its a pretty ingenious idea from recruiter get paid twice for doing one job

wonder how many people have fallen for it

[SeoulNate]

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

website is down =/

[ghostrider]

It looks like a teacher posted a very negative review about their service on May 08, 2013. Then three very glowing reviews just happened to appear within the next ten days.

"I am teaching in South Korea now, and the constant check-ups I receive from Jodi at GeoVisions makes me feel like she is genuinely looking out for me."

"They also have a party for their teachers every few months."

"Whenever I feet down I re-read an email that my agent sent me before coming to South Korea, which explained that living and working in a quaint town is more rewarding than living in a cosmopolitian city like Seoul and that the challenges I have faced with only make my experience more meaningful and memorable."
http://www.ratemystudyabroad.com/geovisions-4443/teach-in-south-korea-paid-14553

So are three teachers very happy about paying the recruiter fee or are those reviews are fake?