Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Grotto]

Just say no!

Once you let the other guy in 'your' apartment it will no longer be 'your' apartment, it will be yours and his apartment.

I would also ask: Why cant he stay with the principal?

Remeber if you give them an inch they will take a mile

[ontheway]

NO!

[vox]

Just on another helpful note (since you already have a lot about the living situation)

I found that taking an assertive (but positive) interrogation approach to these kinds of flowery warm-ups eventually wears down the 'time is like an arrow' part of the speech and my director and I have been able to get straight to the point each time now. I have a good director and have achieved the understanding I want about these sorts of meetings, but it took some doing. Case in point

"expect you to change the atmosphere of the school"
"Of course. I'm here to help create a successful school. What needs to change regarding the atmosphere at the school?"
"umm... uh.." fishes out some memory of things, slides into homeplate for a generalization then moves on as quickly as possible.

Next time less of that.
Next time, no more 'time is like an arrow' stuff, he just makes it short and sweet. And.... less meetings.

I think the mindset is that as long as one appears to be concerned about your needs one can ask anything. Okay it's a partial fit here, but if you reciprocate, it will at least appear that your meetings are not all about you, your mind is on the school and that can help during the hard times or when they're talking about you on the parent calls.

[animalbirdfish]

I'm with the folks saying "NO." Don't even cite concerns or the potential for problems. The only thing you need to mention - if it exists - is the clause about single-housing in your contract (does that exist?).

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Well we had the big meeting yesterday with my VP, the head of English who's sort of my minder (and who wrote the email quoted in the OP) and the new teacher. I cited cultural differences that made it unacceptable and they seemed to understand that. The new teacher, however, seemed quite disappointed; I'm thinking, buddy you don't even *know* me - I could turn out to be a condescending, functional alcoholic weirdo, for all you know.

I guess is was the principal's idea and the VP actually seemed a bit embarrassed. So, down to the principal's office for another meeting. She understood, though was hoping that the new teacher might be able to do something like a 'homestay' with the FT. I felt like mentioning that in Canada 'homestays' cost $1,000+ a month but kept my mouth shut. What I could make out of the VP's explanation to the principal was pretty funny, though. He always uses 'Korean style' with me when it comes to scheduling, meetings, tips on deportment, punishing students, staff dinners with no notice or anything else he thinks might come across as disagreeable - 'this is Korean style'. As he was blabbering away I heard 'blah blah blah jeep blah blah blah Canada style blah blah blah'. It seemed to work.

The offer of him staying a few weeks still stands and might be taken up on, but I think they're serious about getting him some other accomodation so I'm not too worried.

[Ya-ta Boy]

The new guy was probably thinking about all that free English practice he would have gotten. Or he had his eye on you.

[endofthewor1d]

[jacl]

Time is like an arrow. Yes indeed. And like sand through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives. These are great days we have upon us and we shall strive for the atmosphere of the greatest of our abilitities. To such, I must say that it is very nice to take a dump in a cold bathroom and would you like a roommate?

[Yu_Bum_suk]