Korean Job Discussion Forums

[prosodic]

Most schools are willing to give you a housing allowance instead of an actual apartment.

Typically, a hagwon rents apartments rather than owning them outright, so it would simply mean that they would rent one less.

If you feel comfortable finding your own place, then you could work at different places and share an apartment.

Alternately, you might be able to work out a deal with a hagwon to pay half the rent for a larger apartment and then get the housing allowance from the other hagwon.

[Zenpickle]

[Homer]

Here goes oh insecure one...

I hear hagwon directors, in most cases, are not thrilled to hire couples, which we are, true?

Strange statement. Where did you "hear" this?
Couples seem to do fairly well when it comes to placement as many directors see couples as being more stable.

Then again who knows.


Are most medications available in South Korea? ie birth control, allergy stuff, prilosec (an all purpose stomach medication for acid reflux etc.)?

A lot of medications are available and some are not. Bring what you absolutely need (kind of basic logic there).


What can we expect from the health coverage there?

You can expect to get what your health policy covers....I suggest taking a pvt policy if you feel insecure.


When we show up on Sept. 1 we will have about $1,000 USD to live off of for the month of September (we could get more if disaster strikes) is this enough?

That is plenty of money for one month.


Are their any cities that people generally do want to avoid?

Pyonyang is no garden spot...

But your question really depends on the person and on what you are looking for.


What kind of weekend activities would we be sacrificing if we did take the first offer? Can you travel to interesting places on the weekend via the train or bus system ie. hiking, national parks etc.?

Sure you can.
But, depending on where you are if you want to go hiking you don't need the train, the plane or the car...you just need your legs and a bit of effort.


What about transportation in general. Do esl teachers buy cars, bikes or rely on public transportation?


I rely on public transport but others prefer to buy a car and suffer through the traffic.
Some buy motorbikes and that works out for them.


What is the deal with computers and internet. Should we go to cafes or buy a computer?

Find out when you get here and adapt depending on what you prefer to do.


Before signing a contract should we ask questions about the size of the apartment? I saw a scarry posting once wher someone was given an apartment that was 200 square feet. Or 7 (some Korean unit of measurement) something.


You saw "a" posting and drew conclusions from it? Come on now, you can do better then this.
Also, asking questions is kind of a basic rule in life. As for the appartments, they tend to be smaller then north american/western ones.

Best of luck on your new job in Korea.

[Us in DC]

[Us in DC]

[Us in DC]

[peppermint]

[lawyertood]

Some other things you may want to consider...

If you both work at the same institute it may be difficult for both of you to get the same time off for vacation if you plan on travelling and seeing Asia....


In some areas the directors are a little more prudish and might have a problem with unmarried couples living together....


I have read posts from other people that recommend that couples not work together as spending that much time together can put a strain on a relationship...I have worked with couples who had no problems like this, however

As for insurance, a private policy supplementing the local health plan is probably a good idea as then you will be covered while outside of Korea in case you like to travel

It's not specific cities you need to avoid it's more specific jobs....there are good and bad jobs everywhere

Public transportation is adequate and reasonably priced

If you want access to more western goods and other westerners then stick to the large cities, if that is not a concern of yours then anywhere is fine

If I think of anything more I'll post again

[Gollum]

Try to find something in Bundang.

I love it here. If you want nightlife, you have to travel to Seoul by bus, but you can get most main places in 30 to 45 minutes (except Hongdae, which is farther).

Jump on an express bus (seohyun station) during non rush-hour times, and it's:

25 minutes to Hannam-Dong (which is next to Itaewon)
30 minutes to Myeong-Dong
35 minutes to Jungno area
35 to 40 minutes or less to Coex Mall
30 to 40 minutes to Kangnam.

There are many more buses.

Bundang is clean, new, and has an upper-class of folks mostly. Much of the housing is new, too -- depending where you are at. Tons of foreigers now too.

I lived in Seoul for 1 1/2 years, including Itaewon, but I love it here in Bundang.

I thought Pyungchon was cool when I visited, too, but not sure if the access to Seoul is as convenient.

[Us in DC]

lawyertood...

The vacation point is definately something we need to work out. Thanks for bringing that up.

As far as getting sick of eachother, at this point we have been together nearly day and night for two years I am past the point of sickness. But seriously we live together now but are capable of dealing with and without eachother.

We won't be going to any small towns. I imagine we will probably end up in or around Seoul. That seems to be what we are continuously being offered. But we want to stick to cities, partially for the reason you mention.

Gollum...
Bundang sounds cool. We will keep it in mind if I get any offers from there.

Okay so answer me this one:

I got the following offer today from a recruiter
- 20 minutes outside Seoul (not sure of the name of the area or town but will find out when he sends us the formal offer (not contract) tomarrow
- 120hours /month (hours, not classes and these are the 60 minute hours that we all know and love)
- 2.1
- a two bedroom apartment
- 12-15 student class size

Everything sounds great!

BUT WE CAN'T HAVE A PHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE DIRECTOR? Why because this is very big school (2,000 students/ 50 English teachers) and he doesn't have much to do with the hiring. But I will speak to a western teacher there tomarrow via e-mail.

Aside from the obvious are there any questions I should ask him/her that I might not know to ask?

Does this sound ligit? Aside from telling me not trust recruiters can anyone offer some concrete advice on how to find out more about this offer. I checked the black list at: http://members.tripod.com/~hagwonblacklist/public_html/list.html - not there. I will also go to the school's website and check that out.

Thanks to everyone who has been responding and helping me figure all this out.

[lush72]

***opens desk drawer, pulls out medicine box, reads box***

Hmm, rather then taking claritin, can you take Zyrtec? Zyrtec is OTC here, and is manufactured under the name "Tirizin" (same exact stuff down to dose size as Zyrtec) and costs a whopping 20 cents (US) per pill (sold in boxes of 10). As for prilosec, can you take Xantac insted? Xantac is OTC and easily found.

HTH

[justagirl]

If you want to work 120 hours a month, you go for it.

My husband and I teach 86 hours a month for 1.95 No split shifts, Mon-Thurs.

I'd keep looking.

Oh, and definitely say you're married, cause your sort of deal is pretty much looked-down upon here, and you'll need all the help you can get living in their culture.

[chronicpride]

[Homer]

US DC.

I would suggest buying your medication before leaving.
Whats better spending 400 UDS now or running out and having to buy it and pay for shipping later on?

As far as the appartment goes this

[Us in DC]