Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pauly]

Well, here it is, my first post in Korea. It's been an interesting week so far. I flew in on Thursday afternoon. The past week has gone by so quickly. The first three days were spent used for orientation. After that, I was picked up by the head of the English department and a co-teacher. They seemed friendly enough.

I dodged a real huge bullet on Monday. When I met the head of the English department and the main co-teacher that will be helping me, they were talking with the school board supervisor about my accommodations. I wasn't completely sure what was being said, but I didn't like the sounds of it. When we got to the school office, my co-teacher told me about my accommodations. Apparently, the head of the administration department offered to let me stay at his apartment...with him. I was to be his room-mate, as his wife and children were in North Van studying English and had a lot of available space (small three bedroom apartment). I definitely didn't like the sounds of that. After thinking, or not thinking, about it, I cautiously brought it up with co-teacher, who is about 25 and just out of University. This is her first year as a teacher. I told her that I had some concerns and was a little uncomfortable about accommodations. She also had the same concerns for me. She, in turn, talked with the head of the English department. We then went to the head of administration (we were all scheduled to meet with him) and when the subject came up, he to had the same concerns for me. He then proceeded to give me two options. I could either stay with him (he said he was hardly home and I would have all the amenities of a fully furnished apartment but no real sense of
being fully comfortable and making it home) or look at an officetel
that he had sort of looked at.

We went to his apartment, and though it was nice, it was a small
apartment. Plus, I would have to take the bus to work and there was
absolutely nothing to do around there (yeah, I know...good way to save
money). We then looked at the officetel. I immediately fell in love
with it. It's on the top floor (10th), has a vaulted ceiling (which
I've always wanted), no bedroom but it is on a second floor
specifically designated for bedroom use, it's nice and clean, no
roaches and hasn't been rented out for two years. I know, when
my co-teacher and I both heard that, we both wondered why. I told her that it might be haunted. She laughed and said maybe. We were then told the apartment number, which is 1004, and I told her I don't have to
worry now because I'll have an angel watching out for me (which I
think I do but more on that later). Kwangjuchicken, I thought of you when I first saw my officetel number.

The head administrator then signed the lease on the apartment. Hey,
when a school or hagwon says you will get a furnished apartment, what
does that normally mean? My thoughts always pictured a place with an
crappy used tv, a crappy used bed, a crappy used couch, and crappy
used this and that. Well, was I pleasantly surprised. Obviously,
when we took the lease out on the officetel, it wasn't furnished at
all. We then went shopping and the school bought me a nice sized
t.v., a queen size bed, a nice couch, coffee table, hangers, garbage
receptacles, toaster, vacuum, water boiler, water cooler, a rice cooker, utensils, dining set, cookware, alarm clock, power convertor, and bedding. Oh yeah, and they're getting me a laptop for my personal use by next week. WTF?!? They're getting me a laptop? Isn't that crazy? Wow...they're completely spoiling me. He also got me a cell phone. I think he may be my guardian angel.

Today, he gave me a ride home, but then ended up taking me out to dinner with two of his other friends. It just seems odd, seeing as he isn't my co-teacher or boss. He's the administrator at the school, not that I'm complaining.

Sorry for the verbosity, the formatting (no idea what happened there), and any errors I may have made. I need to get going. If anyone is in Incheon, give me a shout. I'm in the Seo-gu area.

[funplanet]

Dang! you got it made! enjoy it!

[JacktheCat]

Congratulations, sounds like you found one of those rare, mythical good teaching jobs.

[pauly]

There were thirteen of us hired and brought over at the same time. We all met each other during the orientation. We're in constant e-mail dialogue and from the sounds of it, they're all getting the same treatment. The pay may be a little less, but I think the trade off is pretty fair. There are three different levels of pay. The lowest only requires a B.A., the second level requires a B.A. and a TESOL certificate, and the first level requires a B.Ed. We were told that if we re-sign with the school board, we will get promoted to the next pay level. Level three will be promoted to level two after one year, but people in level two need to work two years before being promoted to level one. We'll see how things go. I'm thinking about staying here for two years, but I may be tempted to stay for a third year.

[buddy bradley]

[Kwai_Chang_Kain]

Which hagwon do you work for? Hook me up with a job there!!!

[pauly]

Oh, I forgot to change my location. As for which hagwon, I'm not at one. I'm at a public high school.

[adventureman]

Would you perhaps happen to work for the Incheon Epik program?

[pauly]

That would be it.