Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Shadow1]

Okay folks,

I have read LOADS of posts, and tried to piece all of this together as best I can.

I have read several times that perhaps the smartest move you can make as far as teaching ESL there is to come show up in person and make the rounds to see things for yourself before committing to a job. That sounds great-- and I may be able to pull it off, and it also sounds like it would be fairly easy from what people say BUT, I've been thinking: once I get there, I won't have my PC for email, while I assume there are internet places all over-- since I won't know the language everything might be a pain in the ass. I won't have a cell phone or an address if an employer wants to contact me. Obviously, I will have to pay for my own hotel, food, airfare and expenses until I get a paycheck.

I am the adventurous type, and I think I can handle the stress of dealing with all of this, but it's a little intimidating because as a total newbie, I don't even have a clue where I would want to live. I am thinking Busan from what I have read, but I am really not sure.

Then, lo and behold-- I get a job. Will they offer to pay for my airfare back when my year is done since I flew out on my own? Will I be forced to do one of those Fukowaka trips I keep reading about to get the right visa?

Are there people here that did this? It's a little scary for me since I have never been there, don't know what to expect and most of all don't know a soul.

Any good advice is welcome. If you all just tell me I will be fine with a couple grand and a couple suitcases, I'll believe you. I wouldn't mind taking a month or so to adjust before starting to work anyway, but also wouldn't want to get down to the last $200 or so that I have and start to get really paranoid.

Cheers!

[Kiddirts]

excellent move...trust me, even if you fall into the "full-time" mistake, you will at least get to see the apt and the school and the directors and know what you are getting into...I came over with 2 suitcases in hand and the number of a homestay...took me a week, but I found what I wanted...then eventually found things much better...

[endo]

I came over to Korea wthout a job and I would recommend the same to others who have the opportunity.

I was lucky however; I was able to stay at my cousins house for a month and I also had $1400 cash when I came over. I didn't stop working until a month after I arrived (I planned it that way), but i'm sure I could of found a good job within a week or two.

There are so many PC rooms around this country that access to a computer is no problem. I would recommend that you stay at a homestay, however a smaller hotel (minbak or goshwan) are also good choices if you're the adventurous type.

Just keep doing your research and make sure you at least have over $1000 to get you through your first month.

Good luck.

[VanIslander]

Wonderful plan.

Just make sure you have a few SEALED university transcripts and your original degree diploma (or two) before you come.

You can access your email for communication on every major street. There are that many PC ROOMs.

BTW, What part of Korea are you interested in. Seoul? Busan? Big cities? Coastal areas? wa?

[RachaelRoo]

You're definitely making the right choice, and a couple grand will be more than enough.

About the internet cafes: they are everywhere and the sign is always "PC" - not something in Korean. You'll figure them out easily.

Not having a cellphone when looking for a job here could actaully be a good thing. You would be bombarded with calls for jobs you wouldn't want, so an email address will do. It's more efficient to just delete the sucky jobs and concentrate your efforts on the better jobs.

The visa run to Japan is one of the benefits of comming here jobless! It sounds a little overwhelming, but you'll be fine. Chances are, if you go to Fukuoka, you'll take a boat full of other English teachers going to the exact same place. Just look for white people and go say hi! Someone will know where to go.

Here's a good place to stay: http://www.backpackerkorea.com/
It's about $25 a night for a single room and they have free computers with internet as well as free laundry. It's in downtown Seoul. Good atmosphere too.