Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Nester Noodlemon]

[dhan89]

Haha, I have no idea what CDI is but it is not this hagwon. I am hesitant to name the hagwon since I am planning on doing an in depth-review of this place in 2 months here. I found 2 post on the hagwon I applied to and it had little information except that it pays well and you are likely gonna burn out, etc.

But thanks for the comments.

Umm, yea, so what else: just getting my documents in order.. gonna sign contract tomorrow, get some more in-depth information and will post again in a few days.

[ChrisPK]

[Chia Pet]

[PRagic]

Sounds like a lot of bs and extra hassle for job that's just going to benefit them and burn you out. If you have an F4, why not just line up low stress after school programs or something so that you can enjoy yourself and your job a bit.

[dhan89]

Man, this post is so overdue....

I've been at the aforementioned academy for about 4 months now. I'm going to list this in PRO & CONS. Long story short: I am satisfied.

PRO
- Pays on time. Never late
- Salary is $4150-$4300 a month.
- They provide Key Money $10 mill
- A lot of workload the first few months but get used to the grind.
- Save money like butter as long as you don't drink and waste on stupid shit.
- Academy is strict with rules like being late, cursing, etc.
- This is a real & well respected hagwon. Not a small mom n pop. All seoul adults know about it.
- Potential to make $5k and above considering # of students.

CONS
- They don't pay rent. Relative to salary, however, still better than most jobs. Seoul rent is expensive. I pay close to $1k with all utilities for my own studio in a clean hotel like place.
- First 3 month is only $3300. Then you get real salary.
- Its a fucking job in Korea so you gotta work. Prepare lessons, be nice to parents and kids, look nice, be presentable, understand culture.
- Jobs only for Gyopos (Korean-Americans) because you need to call parents, you need to understand Korean culture, it's not a pushover job, they expect you to work your ass off. No LAZINESS whatsoever.
- They have CCTV to monitor. But really its just a bureaucratic thing so that they can cover their and your ass if any legal problem arises
- You run into drama once in a while with dumbass students and parents but that's part of the job.
- 6 days a week.

Now, would I re-sign the contract after the remaining months? HELL YES. Why? Considering that they tax only 3% of your salary, You make bank. Most professional jobs don't even pay $3000 a month for entry level. And yes, kids are pain in the ass but if you understand K culture and if you are a gyopo with smarts not some thug type person then this job will enable you to save bank. I am on my way clearing my student debt by end of contract. By end of second contract, I'll have saved $20k at least. So yea, korea got good English jobs for gyopos.

Sadly, the reality is that markets are changing and gyopos are highly favored in the elite hagwons. This is not because Americans are worse or anything like that. They just need the gyopos to be able to speak to parents, understand culture, teach effectively at an elite level to korean students. And at the cost of sounding biased, I have heard from places that they expect and know that gyopos are willing to work the extra 2-3 hours a week since that's how korean culture is and gyopos understand that culture.

You never hear about gyopos bitching and whining about how bad the hours are. That's just not part of our DNA as long as our salary is matched. So yea, please ask questions. I'll answer to anyone that needs help with the process.

[Nester Noodlemon]

My Dream Job'

Work 6 days a week
Work extra hours every week for free
Work rear end off
Pay own 1 million per month rent
Work in drama filled environment
Take home pay eventually is the same as the average Joe/Cho hogwan monkey



I almost forgot to mention'

A lot of workload

[dhan89]

Haha, actually no....

Rent is how you choose. I chose to stay in this area. You can also find a cheaper area near itawon or out of gangnam.

Drama is how you define it....

Take home is much more than "average joe"...

Working hard is a perspective.

People like you are the reasons why hagwons view Americans as lazy in Korea... no offense... trying to cut all and possible corners. Never want to work. Thats how you stay with 2.1 and can't snag the 4.5+ .

Good luck.

[dhan89]

And not to mention the amount of load of negativity that you bring to the table.. jesus... you sound just like the few Americans I met here in Korea looking straight up like bums. Sorry again, no offense. Obviously, I met Americans who didn't.

All the previous comments that were filled with hate and bitterness and what not... that shit doesn't phase me at all...

I'm only trying to help any other F4's out there who want to work a good solid 2-3 years and bring back home $60k after all your expenses. NET INCOME.

Hustle is the name of the game. If you think you're gonna save money working 20 hours a week taking home a 2.1 and after taking out all your expenses, you're left with 1.5 at the most.

After all your monthly expenses....

1500 x 12 = 18 a year
vs
3000 x 12 = 30k a year

yeaa...

I don't mind working a bit more.

[PRagic]

Depends on how you want to work your average week. If you can handle that, more power to you. Some people make that by augmenting a university gig with other work and get a heck of a lot moe down time to boot.

Personally, I never wanted to teach kids. And even back in the late 90s I was clearing 5 million a month easy with a LOT less hassle. Different strokes for different folks. I always found there was more than one way to skin the ESL cat. Got out of that game many, many moons ago, though, and I should admit that in the spirit of full disclosure.

But to be fair, some of the laziest, cut-corner, rip off and sell material ESLers I've met in Korea have been Kyopo. A work ethic is not the purvey of any given ethnicity.