Korean Job Discussion Forums

skyhawk · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Location: Korea

I'm mulling an offer from a university that claims that the majority of univiesities neither pay for utilities in supplied housing, nor do they offer airfare for a visa run -- this uni claims to be generous in offering a 300,000 won allowance toward a visa run and relocation. Are they accurate in saying that the majority of unis are not providing these benefits? In reading postings on Dave's, I came to the opposite conclusion -- that the majority DO offer arifare and other expenses for visa runs and that utilities ARE included in provided housing. Any thoughts, opinions, etc?

peppermint · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:55 pm Post subject:

Not sure what the deal is on visa runs, but very few jobs pay for the utilities in the provided housing. In fact, most charge a small fee each month for building maintenance too.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Utilities are rarely included in the package.

Airfare: As I understand things, if you are in your home country, the school will arrange for you to get your visa while still there, then pay for the flight over here. If you are in Korea at the time of hiring, the school will pay for a visa trip to Japan, the closest place you can get it.

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

If Korean universities are paying their foreign staff's utilities, then they're the only Korean employers, in any field, that I know of who do. Unless we're talking about expat engineers & what-not living in hotels, which is completely different.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

peppermint · Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:27 am Post subject:

there are isolated contracts that offer it ( mine does too, though I work for the same program as CLG)

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

Well hell. I have to rethink this then. And rephrase it.

"If your university won't pay utilities, dump the chumps! Only a fool would accept that deal!!"

I had a friend who taught at a university here years ago. Wouldn't quit, and apparently couldn't get fired. He and some other prof used to drink in their offices. They had their own fridges, always full of beer. It was difficult meeting them for drink after work during the semester.

'Hey, let's go out for a few quick ones'.

'Nah, man, we gotta go home and sleep it off. Maybe this weekend, 'Guru'.

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

Not many unis offer airfare...very true. The allowance will cover most of your expenses to Japan. Hakwons and other places? Depends on the contract and place. Some places might offer you a cell phone or something to sweeten the deal but most places do not pay for utilities.

jeonjugirl · Joined: 05 Dec 2005

I pay my own utilities, as do most people I know.

Our school always tries to cheap out on visa runs - they pay the plane ticket, but not the accommodations.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Our school doesn't pay for visa runs or utilities/maintenance fees and it pays 1 million toward airfare WHEN YOU LEAVE, not every year. Since fees in the apts cost 40-120,000 (averaging summer and winter bills) a month, it's not too pricey, and they're a 5 minute walk or so from the campus. Wanna live cheap? Turn down/off the heat!

bourquetheman · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: Suwon

What gets me is that so many universities don't provide housing, and if they do it's either:
a) a dorm room
b) a studio apartment
c) shared apartment
d) No apartment but a "generous" offer of 300 000 won a month

Give me a break, with the stroke of a pen universities could put down key money for you. Being married and having a daughter, a "studio" apartment doesn't cut it, nor does a measley 300 000 won for housing. I've turned down two university positions now because housing situation sucked. I worked 3 years at another university and their description of "subsidized housing" was paying 600 000 won a month for the two bedroom apartment. Geez I moved to a high school and got a bigger place provided by them and just had to pay utilities each month. Anyway enough venting........... Evil or Very Mad

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

I have never heard of a uni that pays for utilities. CLG and Peppermint work for a public school in Gyeonggi-do that needs to attract teachers.

They also seldom pay for airfare of any kind. They expect you to be in Korea for the interview, but they also expect you to get the visa in your home country.

If you don't like it, go to YBM. Or LCI. Or Kid's Club.