Korean Job Discussion Forums

[prosodic]

[marista99]

I don't necessarily think it would be that much better, nor do I think Americans are perfect--no person or nationality is perfect. However communication-wise I think with an American boss my chances of being understood and having me understand him would be a lot better. So I was providing that as a possible up- (or down-)side to the job. I really didn't mean to imply that Americans were better than anyone else.

[prosodic]

[osangrl]

Take number 2. I agree with the other person, for a first timer, work at a big school. Yes, lots of meetings, and being surrounded by negative foreigners is sucky, but big schools are more established, and organized. Usually. My first contract was at a big school. It was ok. Now being experienced i like a little school, cause i can slack off more. A bigger school with make you a teacher, and the others can you out too.

Plus Incheon is an armpit, and Happy Suwon is not a bad place to be.

[prosodic]

[justagirl]

Think about this as well: at the larger school they are required by law to pay into the Pension scheme. If a school has 6 or more full-time employees, they cannot avoid paying it.

This would mean, not only the 1-year bonus, as promised in the contract, but also an extra big chunk of change at the end.

For the pension, you'd pay .045% and the employer pays .045%

If you make 2.0/month, that would be an extra 1,080,000 at the end of your year. (2,160 paid in, but half was your $ anyway)

If the school doesn't pay into the scheme, all you have to do is insist on medical insurance. The health insurance automatically contacts the pension office, and bam--extra $ for you!

Just a thought! Worked out well for me--I didn't know our school was required to pay pension, but after getting my health insurance, I got the extra treat. And so did EVERYONE else in the hakwon, and they knew we had other foreigners. I'm looking forward to the extra 2,430,000 my husband and I will get to take home, in addition to the 4,000,000+ from our 1-year bonuses!

justagirl

[CanadaCommando]

I would take job #2 for all reasons mentioned above, and for an additional one...
not all foriegners are sucky. In fact, when you first arrive, its kinda comforting to have a crew of fellow waygooks to tell you how to navigate around, and to build a base of friendship. Just cuz some foriegners are whiny, doesnt mean they all are. Outta the dozen or so at the Hagwon, good chance you can find some prime friends.

[just because]

Number 2.
There are a lot more foreigners to get insight from(good and bad, positive and negative) so if you are hearing good things, do it.

I love this line
I have done my research
What research did you do?????

You honestly have no idea what you are walking into to, this can be a good and a bad thing.

I'm just saying be careful as the people here(waygook and Korean) are damn crafty and you need to be here.

TECO said it:
Spend your money and come over.
That is the only way you will ever do any effective research.

But like you, i walked in blind(well i had lived in japan before) and got lucky so its just experience talking i guess.

[TECO]

yeah, come one over with some $$$ in your pocket and have a look around.

This is the only way to avoid getting burned.

[jajdude]

If you haven't been to Korea (or Asia?) yet and will decide from overseas I would recommend the second job. I think Suwon is a bit better than Inchon to live in (just an opinion on my ltd. experience), and as a newcomer it will be good to have a bunch of foreigners there already, of whom surely a few could be pals. The Inchon deal could feel tougher. That's just my impression. I'm introverted and all, and I think I'd prefer to be thrown into a foreign land with a bigger group and hope all goes well!

Good luck.

[slap it]

definitely with the bigger school. if you got good responses from the teachers at the bigger school, trust me.....go with them. smaller school where you interviewed with basically the owner's puppet...hm.....i'd be careful. did you at least talk to the other foreign teacher there?

[prosodic]

Am I the only one who wants to know what Marista decided?

[rapier]

Personally I avoid places that are chokka with other waegooks, they are problematical and i hate the group mentality it harbors. 2,3 other foreigners is my absolute max: nice to socialise with casually and get to know well, if you want. But 15 other foreigners would seem like being back at boarding school or something, i'm almost sick at the thought. No way!!. They can cause more stress than the Korean management.!! especially if they're mostly boozing recent grads, I'd rather teach in siberia first.

[Saxiif]