Korean Job Discussion Forums

[edith]

Hi,

I arrived in Korea about a week ago, I am teaching at a GNB school in Gangam and just wanted to report that everything is JUST as stated in the contract. My director is a lovely, genuine man who has taken good care of me since my arrival. My accommodation is great with TV, telephone, washing machine and microwave. The children are great and my only issue is with the teaching materials which I have been given permission to change. My only negative feedback is with the lousy recruiter, but I don't have to deal with him anymore.
I just wanted to share this as some of the things I read on here before my departure freaked me out.
Anyone elses positive experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Juregen]

Many

But I deem them to be too personal

[jacl]

Happy honeymoon!

[DanielInKorea]

[Grotto]

Let us know how you feel in three or four months

[edith]

I'm not suggesting it will be great forever, i wouldn't be that naive.
I'm making the point that before I came here I heard of passports being held, working hours being way more than stated, crappy living quarters etc etc. That has not happened and infact I work 25 hours instead of the 30 contracted.
I'm just trying to share something positive, and perhaps GNB are generally pretty good.

[jlb]

Haha....brings me back to my own experience in 2004. I loved the hagwon, the directors, everything about Korea my first 2 or 3 months. Then reality hit. Moving along...10 months later, I get fired with no notice, screwed out of money and plane ticket and have to take the evil hagwon to the labor board. So just wait and see....of course your directors will be nice to you, you've only been there a week!

[Dodgy Al]

Hi Edith.

I think with your kind of attitiude, you have many more positive experiences to look forward to. There is some truth to the 'honeymoon factor', but I've been here for over two years now, and am still thouroughly enjoying myself. Just keep smiling! (and don't let the cynical hounds on Dave's get you down)

Good luck!

[edith]

I guess I should have mentioned two glowing references by telephone with previous British teachers. The hagwon has been open for 18 years so I figured that was a good sign too, I'm not going to accept that all will go wrong. I took the advice and researched properly and got my contract in korean as well as English.

[jacl]

Only you can make the best of it.

Good luck!

[jacl]

Sounds like you're already complaining about something though. The recruiter? The materials?

Anyway, if you've already signed and you aren't at the hagwon any longer than 7 hours/day then it could work out fine.

Things can look rosy in the beginning and then later you come to realise that you're getting shafted somehow.

Know you're rights and don't let anyone walk all over you. If someone is being nice to you, they could later use this against you.

I'm interested in knowing the details of your contract. Like your schedule, etc. Just because curiosity killed the cat.

There are all kinds of things worth knowing as soon as possible. Like pension, taxes, medical, what constitutes overtime, etc. The more you know now, the better off you'll be.

I'm assuming you have your E2 and everything.

[tzechuk]

Good on you, Edith. There are always nay-sayers on this board, don't worry about them.

Hagwon owners are interested in making money, so if you teach well, the kids like you and you can retain them, as well as to attract new ones, your director will want to hang on to you.

There are reasons why people get fired - some are shady, but we never know the whole story, so don't take to heart when people complain being screwed over.

Good luck!

[stakay]

[quote="jacl"]Sounds like you're already complaining about something though. The recruiter? The materials?[quote]

Oh my lordy.

Edith, I wish you the very best, you have exactly the right frame of mind to be able to have a happy and successful life in Korea. I'm leaving soon, and I've had a few ups and downs with the job, but I never let anything negative really get a grip on me, and that's where having the right sort of attitude helps a lot. No job in any country is worth becoming cynical over, life's too short. Cheers to you!

[sonshine20]

Thanks for sharing positives. With the right attitude, I'm sure you will have a great time.

[sadsac]

Cynical bunch aren't we? Though there be some negativity regarding your initial post, we all hope that it stays a positive and rewarding experience for you. Good luck.