Korean Job Discussion Forums

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

How here is in the EPIK program?

Who is resigning/re-signing?

My main questions:
Who here will be doing winter camps? How many? Set up by your school OR district?
Who here must come into school and SIT all alone (before feb. when everyone comes in)?
Who here must come in in feb. when the students return to school for 1 or 2 weeks?

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

I don't know many details yet about what happens in the school's vacation time - still in the process of trying to find out.
There is a 2 week camp I must do at the beginning of January (mandated by the POE, not my schools) but other than that I'm not sure.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I will be working 4 classes a day, 4 days a week, all Jan and Feb. They are going to pay me a bit extra so I don't mind.

poet13 · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:37 pm Post subject:

I am in EPIK, but the provincial program. I have been doing camps on the weekends for all the schools around me. 7 camps through dec 23. I have been told that my principle at my primary school, and the vice-principal at my secondary school will recommend that I have no obligations after Dec 31. I have a wife and son in another country.
As of right now, I have to return on about Feb 13 for three days of graduation, and then have 12 or 14 days off until school starts again. I have also been told that I may be allowed to skip it and take nearly 8 weeks with my family. I have a great relationship with my school, I work my butt off, I volunteer and participate wherever I can, and keep a picture of my son as my desktop. I never pass a day without dropping how much I miss my family. My standard excuse for not gonig out with co-workers is that I have an online appointment with my family. They understand. We'll see what I end up with... If they for some reason decide that I need to sit at my desk for 8 weeks, then I will give notice and go home. I joined EPIK to have the time to see my family. Without it, no point in being here.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Why don't you like bring your family here?

poet13 · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:25 pm Post subject:

My wife is in university and her break times are too short to make a visit here. They (wfie and son) spent 3 and 3 months here when I was working at the haggie, bt she's now in her first year uni...

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

That's gotta suck. I hope you use webcams or Skype Out to chat with them.

poet13 · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:58 am Post subject:

Yup, yahoo messenger video and voice. I spend about four hours each evening with them (right now singing "if youre happy and you know it" with my son) and on the weekend usually about ten hours a day. He just turned two, so being with him a lot, even on the net is super important to me.

poet13 · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:59 am Post subject:

My wife's getting a little pissed at me right now. We're doing, "If you're happy and you know it, PASS SOME GAS, <farting noise>"....lol

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

Yeah I got winter camp two weeks. I got one week vacation then I have tutor teachers. I will most likely teach 1 hour a day and sit on my ass for 7 in the office. ITS THE LAW. Its the bs, my principal is real stiff ass.

Will I resign Hell yeah can't go wrong with 2.6 mil and two weeks extra vacation and free ticket home. As long as they pay I'm all there. I couldn't care less about anything else. I'm a loner and very independant I rarely converse with the Korean teachers and I am left to do my own things, I got a big office and plenty of time to do any extra work.

poet13 · Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:43 am Post subject:

2.6 I'd fly my wife and son up once a month for the weekend...

hana · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: daejeon area

i dunno the details for my schedule, but i heard that there was a four-week winter camp set up by the school. and i dont get the remainder of the vacation off either -__-

poet13 · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:47 am Post subject:

Remember this? I wrote it earlier today.

"I am in EPIK, but the provincial program. I have been doing camps on the weekends for all the schools around me. 7 camps through dec 23. I have been told that my principle at my primary school, and the vice-principal at my secondary school will recommend that I have no obligations after Dec 31. I have a wife and son in another country.
As of right now, I have to return on about Feb 13 for three days of graduation, and then have 12 or 14 days off until school starts again. I have also been told that I may be allowed to skip it and take nearly 8 weeks with my family. I have a great relationship with my school, I work my butt off, I volunteer and participate wherever I can, and keep a picture of my son as my desktop. I never pass a day without dropping how much I miss my family. My standard excuse for not gonig out with co-workers is that I have an online appointment with my family. They understand. We'll see what I end up with... "

Well, today some clown from the POE came to my school and informed me that I would be working three camps in January, ending Jan 27th. Then he asked me to choose which week I want off. (I have no other obligations until March 3rd as the school said I can skip the 4 hour graduation ceremony). I asked what I was to do during the month of February. I am to sit at my desk and work. What kind of work? Think about how to be a better teacher.

I truly am shocked and hurt that despite my schools deisre for me to have a month plus to visit my family, some person from an office three hours away has decreed waht amounts to me, as punishment.

I'm now in the job market. Barring some radical change, I will submit my resignation on Dec 1st.

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

We got this BS letter from the Kyongsang-do province insisting that There shall be no exceptions to 7 days vacation. Also We have to tell the principal where and what we do on those days.

It also had the odacity to insist that Foreigners EXPERIENCE NO STRESS IN KOREA AS TEACHERS.

Tantric Avenger · Joined: 25 Nov 2006 Location: Anyang

I really don't get this whole sit on your butt thing. One the one hand I like my hogwan because it keeps me busy. I show up, teach my 5 classes, and then go home.

I think I would go nuts sitting around all day for an entire month. I think I would get in great shape though. Show up.. depart for gym. Come back.. eat lunch... leave again for gym... come back... watch a movie.

Still not being able to head home and visit the family... Arggggggggggggh... that is so wrong.

I am thinking more and more about a public school next year. I like my hogwan, but every time the end of the month rolls around it is the same nerve wracking few days of seeing which students stay and which students go. Just not my ideal way to spend time.