Korean Job Discussion Forums

theSeeker · Joined: 18 Jun 2004

Hello. I am wondering about housing that may be offered to me. I understand that schools may put me up in single or shared housing. But what kind of places are they?? are they clean? are there giant bugs around? I am in America, and hope to find a job in Seoul and come on over, but i have no idea what to expect as far as where i will be asked to live.

Also, i have heard that Koreans consider it bad luck to clean an apartment when they move out. Does that mean i will be moving into a dirty apartment?

Are there lots of insects (roached etc.) in Seoul? Should i expect giant roached in my apartment? Any way to avoid this??

Pardon my ignorance but ive never been to Korea, and in many ways have no idea what to expect.

Please advise. Thanks.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Just like any country on earth, they vary widely. There are roach motels and palaces here.

The luck of the draw. Usually they are habitable.

theSeeker · Joined: 18 Jun 2004

thanks Demophobe. Any advise on how to avoid getting into one of the "roach motels" Since i will agree on everything from thousands of miles away, how can i tell what im getting myself into??

Would one of these school really put me up in a roach motel?? God i hope not!!

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

It's hit or miss.
Before you move into ANY place, you should hire a cleaning ajumma. Pay her 50,000 Won or so to scrub the place down. Takes only a few hours. Then go down to the pharmacy and bug a few cans of bug/roach spray and spray away! Under the fridge, under the cabinets, behind the sink. Spray all over! A few hours later, move in. Simple enough and easy to do if one is not lazy.
Always, and I mean always change the locks when moving into a new place!
Deadbolt and doorknob lock. It's EASY to swap the locks out and you'll have peace of mind. Locksmiths are all over the hood if you don't want to do it your self. Keep the old locks and when you move out and into another place, reinstall the original locks and take your lock to your new place.
You can bet your life that someone has a key to your place if you don't change your locks! Especially hakwon owners who provide housing! They have no business in having a key to your place.
Ask the owner if you can have a key to his house!?!?

PatrickSiheung · Joined: 21 May 2003

That's great advice about getting the locks changed. It didn't even occur to me my first time here.

As for the OP's original question... if it's a nice school, chances are you can trust the director to be honest with you about the housing. I would insist on seeing a picture of the apartment before accepting the contract though. Most people have digital cameras here so it should be easy for them to send it to you.

If you can, it's always best to fly here yourself and stay in a motel for a few weeks and look for a job. You'll likely have to pay for your own flight anyway as most are reimbursed upon arriving in Korea. Many people here can help you find a nice job and then you'll have the benefit of checking out any housing before signing on with a school.

Last year I got a job while I was still in Canada. I was very disappointed with the housing. This year I'm in Korea and just accepted a job and managed to get a brand new apartment with AC. It was infinitely easier finding a good job this time around.

So if you can swing a few weeks here, just come. Most people are willing to give you a hand and you'll have little trouble learning your way around.

Gollum · Joined: 04 Sep 2003 Location: Japan

Ask for digital photos of the place. If they are serious about hiring you, I think they should be able to pony-up.

The newer the place, the less chance of getting bugs.

john · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I have had a lot of problems with mold. Bugs you can deal with but with mold you are screwed. I would suggest putting a no mold clause in your contract.

theSeeker · Joined: 18 Jun 2004

PatrickSiheung, you mentioned...
"You'll likely have to pay for your own flight anyway as most are reimbursed upon arriving in Korea. Many people here can help you find a nice job "

my questions:
who are these nice people that will help me find a job?? also, i understand that ill get reimbursed after flying to korea, if i accept a job before coming. but if i come there without a job, will my new employer reimburse me for my self-expensed flight to korea??

thanks for the input everyone, you are Great!

PatrickSiheung · Joined: 21 May 2003

Seeker,

It's possible that your new employer would reimburse you but if not there is still an upside. Many employers would rather hire somebody they can meet in person before signing a contract. You're more likely to get a job if the employer can meet you and not have to pay for an expensive flight right off the bat. Most employers will also give you a small advance when you first start working. If you explain your situation they will likely help you out.

Anyway, my point is finding a nice job and apartment here is well worth the price of a plane ticket. You will feel much more secure in your choice of a school after having seen it and been able to compare it to others. Also remember that you are paid well for teaching. You'll make back the price of your ticket in no-time.

As for the nice people... I'm sure many people here on the boards would be willing to give some feedback on any school you check out. There is also a wealth of knowledge is past threads about what you should and should not do. Before you sign a contract it may be wise to post it here as well and get people's opinions.

Personally I wouldn't mind spending some time helping you find work. It's really quite easy when you know what to look for.

If you have some savings to get you here and pay for hotel/food for a few weeks, you should get settled somewhere easily enough. Unless you're completely socially retarded you will find a job easily.

One thing.. if you do come here first, your new employer would have to spend some money sending you to Japan to activate your visa. This I could not help you with but there is a lot of info about that here on the boards. It's pretty painless and many people do it. Besides, who wouldn't want to spend a day in Japan? =D

Homer · Guest

Usually, they will not reimburse you if come on your own and find a job once here.

As for accomodations, easy way to avoid a roach motel: talk to the other foreign teachers at your potential school.

In the end, even nice appartments can get a few bugs (mosquitos, roaches) but thats not a huge deal, if you are from autralia you should not be put out by a little roach. Wink

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

As everyone has stated it depends on the hagwon.
Both my places have been satisfactory. I've seen better but I have seen much worse.

In my experience, if you are not doing shared then they will put you in a one room house. This are usually not too bad if a little cramped but they ahve all that you need.

Shared is usually an older apartment.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

I've got a cool two floor loft style apartment with air conditioning. It's new, clean, no bugs I've noticed. Heck I saw more bugs in Seattle (a rather bug free part of the world) than this apartment *fingers crossed*

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I wish there were more bugs.

Lifeless soil, fumigating trucks, door-to-door exterminators. A healthy insect population indicates a healthy environment.

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2004 6:53 am Post subject:

18 months and I've just seen my first insect in the apartment (other than mosquitoes).

And it's a "ba-ki-ba-lay"!!! (cokroach) Or maybe a water beetle. I think it came through the open window today, since it's been a bit rainy this week.

Back home in Canada I've seen so many more critters, especially spiders.

That said, there are all sorts of insects at the school because it's over a Chinese restaurant and next to a mountain.