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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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 Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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I believe you only need a letter of release if you plan on transferring your current E2 to a new school.
Otherwise, take your letter of resignation to Immi an dhave them cancel your visa, get a new job, do a VISA run, and your set.
I don't know why people need letters of release, like they are being held hostage because they aren't getting them. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 3:13 am Post subject: Re: Wow... GEPIK sucks |
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| Bucheonguy wrote: |
Ok, anyone who's read my other posts can pretty much figure out I'm having a rough time here. My school keeps me locked up like I'm in a prison, they hide me away when we have school assessments, they won't give me references, they've threatened me with not writing release letters... the list goes on and on. I've been having a miserable time. My students really like me and so do a few of my coworkers. I'm a good teacher but I can't get any help from ANYONE! Every time I call those morons at GEPIK all they say is deal with it on your own or it's up to the schools principal. I will never, ever work in the GEPIK program again!
How do other people feel about it? |
My current school hides me away from everyone else. I get the feeling that they only want me for the money.
All my GEPIK schools have sucked donkey balls.
I do know of a few people that have had positive experiences at GEPIK schools but they are far and few inbetween.
SMOE schools seem to be better and I've heard good things about some EPIK schools. |
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wesharris
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:16 am Post subject: |
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Seriously. This one is over 2 months old. Stop bringing up old threads. There isn't a point to this unless you've been drinking.
_+_
Wes |
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WendyRose
Joined: 10 Dec 2008
Location: hanam-si, seoul
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| Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:49 am Post subject: |
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I don't understand why everyone complains about GEPIK. I mean, it's your responsibility to work things out with your school, just like you would at any other job back on your home turf. I understand that there are language barriers, and cultural differences, but there is only so much that Dain Bae or any GEPIK head honcho can do for you. When it comes to a matter with your contract they can fix that and if they don't then you have room to complain.
Past experience has lead me to believe that calling Dain directly with a calm voice and straight-to-the-point question is your best bet at getting anywhere.
I don't mean to come across as rude or inconsiderate, I really don't. |
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hang10
Joined: 11 Nov 2007
Location: Asia, Twice the sex half the foreplay
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| Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Wow... GEPIK sucks |
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| Bucheonguy wrote: |
Ok, anyone who's read my other posts can pretty much figure out I'm having a rough time here. My school keeps me locked up like I'm in a prison, they hide me away when we have school assessments, they won't give me references, they've threatened me with not writing release letters... the list goes on and on. I've been having a miserable time. My students really like me and so do a few of my coworkers. I'm a good teacher but I can't get any help from ANYONE! Every time I call those morons at GEPIK all they say is deal with it on your own or it's up to the schools principal. I will never, ever work in the GEPIK program again!
How do other people feel about it? |
Me too, GEPIK promised so much but when problems arise they really could'nt give two ticks. I have had all of your problems here too. They got really heavy handed so i told them to shove it. They were gob smacked, ha, dumb lot. They kept me locked up too horrible feeling working here. Im not alowed out to buy any lunch until 430. I mean there is the lunch hall but some days its not what i want. If i was in the Army fair enough but i aint. Apart from that a couple of sick days and im as good as a bloody spy that needs wipping out side in front of the students. Its beyond a joke here. In fact thats what i thought it was but my humor went from being just that to all out disgust and frankly i feel at war right about now. They are hawking my every move, i am sure they are going through my trash also when im not looking. My main reasons for quiting were they werent using the contract just making any old korean rule that would suit them. I was told i was extermely lucky that i had an apartment(not that other teachers in korea have one either!) then i got dragged in front of the principle by my bo-gang spitting blood. She said that one of my students had seen me in a building that a hogwon which just happened to be in also. This place had ten floors with pizza, which was crap anyway. So that amounted to me working ilegally and that i should confess. I mean dam at that point i didnt have any privates. But that was the straw that broke the camel and his whole caravan.
I have never, and i mean never felt so unwelcome as i do right now. I have been to well over 30 countries and lived in some for many years. Not once have i ever felt marginalised to the extent i want to hang myself. Which i might add they would probably enjoy dancing around eating Kimchi.
Its amazing, really amazing. But there you go. I did one year last year in a hog but i could only manage 5 ms this time. Its good ridance to this school and unfortunetly good bye to korea, i've had my fill of korean hospitality.
Hello japan here i come Yahoooooooo. |
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hang10
Joined: 11 Nov 2007
Location: Asia, Twice the sex half the foreplay
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| Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: Wow... GEPIK sucks |
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| Bucheonguy wrote: |
Ok, anyone who's read my other posts can pretty much figure out I'm having a rough time here. My school keeps me locked up like I'm in a prison, they hide me away when we have school assessments, they won't give me references, they've threatened me with not writing release letters... the list goes on and on. I've been having a miserable time. My students really like me and so do a few of my coworkers. I'm a good teacher but I can't get any help from ANYONE! Every time I call those morons at GEPIK all they say is deal with it on your own or it's up to the schools principal. I will never, ever work in the GEPIK program again!
How do other people feel about it? |
Me too, GEPIK promised so much but when problems arise they really could'nt give two ticks. I have had all of your problems here too. They got really heavy handed so i told them to shove it. They were gob smacked, ha, dumb lot. They kept me locked up too horrible feeling working here. Im not alowed out to buy any lunch until 430. I mean there is the lunch hall but some days its not what i want. If i was in the Army fair enough but i aint. Apart from that a couple of sick days and im as good as a bloody spy that needs wipping out side in front of the students. Its beyond a joke here. In fact thats what i thought it was but my humor went from being just that to all out disgust and frankly i feel at war right about now. They are hawking my every move, i am sure they are going through my trash also when im not looking. My main reasons for quiting were they werent using the contract just making any old korean rule that would suit them. I was told i was extermely lucky that i had an apartment(not that other teachers in korea have one either!) then i got dragged in front of the principle by my bo-gang spitting blood. She said that one of my students had seen me in a building that a hogwon which just happened to be in also. This place had ten floors with pizza, which was crap anyway. So that amounted to me working ilegally and that i should confess. I mean dam at that point i didnt have any privates. But that was the straw that broke the camel and his whole caravan.
I have never, and i mean never felt so unwelcome as i do right now. I have been to well over 30 countries and lived in some for many years. Not once have i ever felt marginalised to the extent i want to hang myself. Which i might add they would probably enjoy dancing around eating Kimchi.
Its amazing, really amazing. But there you go. I did one year last year in a hog but i could only manage 5 ms this time. Its good ridance to this school and unfortunetly good bye to korea, i've had my fill of korean hospitality.
Hello japan here i come Yahoooooooo. |
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hang10
Joined: 11 Nov 2007
Location: Asia, Twice the sex half the foreplay
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| Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: Wow... GEPIK sucks |
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| Bucheonguy wrote: |
Ok, anyone who's read my other posts can pretty much figure out I'm having a rough time here. My school keeps me locked up like I'm in a prison, they hide me away when we have school assessments, they won't give me references, they've threatened me with not writing release letters... the list goes on and on. I've been having a miserable time. My students really like me and so do a few of my coworkers. I'm a good teacher but I can't get any help from ANYONE! Every time I call those morons at GEPIK all they say is deal with it on your own or it's up to the schools principal. I will never, ever work in the GEPIK program again!
How do other people feel about it? |
Me too, GEPIK promised so much but when problems arise they really could'nt give two ticks. I have had all of your problems here too. They got really heavy handed so i told them to shove it. They were gob smacked, ha, dumb lot. They kept me locked up too horrible feeling working here. Im not alowed out to buy any lunch until 430. I mean there is the lunch hall but some days its not what i want. If i was in the Army fair enough but i aint. Apart from that a couple of sick days and im as good as a bloody spy that needs wipping out side in front of the students. Its beyond a joke here. In fact thats what i thought it was but my humor went from being just that to all out disgust and frankly i feel at war right about now. They are hawking my every move, i am sure they are going through my trash also when im not looking. My main reasons for quiting were they werent using the contract just making any old korean rule that would suit them. I was told i was extermely lucky that i had an apartment(not that other teachers in korea have one either!) then i got dragged in front of the principle by my bo-gang spitting blood. She said that one of my students had seen me in a building that a hogwon which just happened to be in also. This place had ten floors with pizza, which was crap anyway. So that amounted to me working ilegally and that i should confess. I mean dam at that point i didnt have any privates. But that was the straw that broke the camel and his whole caravan.
I have never, and i mean never felt so unwelcome as i do right now. I have been to well over 30 countries and lived in some for many years. Not once have i ever felt marginalised to the extent i want to hang myself. Which i might add they would probably enjoy dancing around eating Kimchi.
Its amazing, really amazing. But there you go. I did one year last year in a hog but i could only manage 5 ms this time. Its good ridance to this school and unfortunetly good bye to korea, i've had my fill of korean hospitality.
Hello japan here i come Yahoooooooo. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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| WendyRose wrote: |
I don't understand why everyone complains about GEPIK. I mean, it's your responsibility to work things out with your school, just like you would at any other job back on your home turf. I understand that there are language barriers, and cultural differences, but there is only so much that Dain Bae or any GEPIK head honcho can do for you. When it comes to a matter with your contract they can fix that and if they don't then you have room to complain.
Past experience has lead me to believe that calling Dain directly with a calm voice and straight-to-the-point question is your best bet at getting anywhere.
I don't mean to come across as rude or inconsiderate, I really don't. |
Dain Bae has helped you? She doesn't help everyone and, in fact, many have been reporting that she often helps the schools against the teachers with regards to OT pay, being stuck at school, flight money, rural pay, move-in money, etc... Others report that GEPIK ignores their repeated attempts to contact the GEPIK office for information and help.
It's not what GEPIK foreign representatives should be doing and it contributes to the high turnover rates. |
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tHEhERETIC
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
Location: SinJang, Hanam-si
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| Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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I must've gotten blind lucky.
I came here, very first time in a foreign country, through an agency that's very attentive. Obviously not as attentive now that I'm here as when they were recruiting me but still--I got stranded in Kyoto and they offered advice, including asking for a heads-up next time I go abroad so they can help me avoid bad situations.
The school I'm at is good. I feel lost once in awhile but I figure that's n00bness. There is the feeling of being kept an eye on at times, and I narrowly missed having an apartment with a view of the school cafeteria. Otherwise--great VP, super-helpful coteacher, contract has been observed 98% of the time, and the other 2% I was asked and not told, and I'm okay with that.
As far as I know, this is GEPIK here. |
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WendyRose
Joined: 10 Dec 2008
Location: hanam-si, seoul
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| Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:50 am Post subject: |
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Yes, Dain Bae has helped me. Several times.
My best advice is to befriend your VP, Principal, co-teacher and other colleagues and have them help you, especially if you aren't connecting with Dain or other GEPIK workers. They're not evil people hoping to watch you fail. You're in their school and as a result they would very much like to see you to succeed.
GEPIK can't make the people that you work with like you and they can't settle everyone's unique dilemma because there are 1000s of other ESL teachers, some with serious problems that they're tending to (ie. no running water, walking 40 minutes to work, etc.).
I'll be the first to say that GEPIK should hire additional staff whose primary goal is to serve as mentors/be available to the ESL teachers. But they don't. Perhaps if all of asked (nicely) something would be done?
We're all adults here and we came to this country to be teachers and gain life experience. I don't plan to renew my contract and I have had my fair share of trials here. But I've found that if I roll with the punches, choose my battles and reduce the complaints, my time is much more enjoyable. |
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mnhnhyouh
Joined: 21 Nov 2006
Location: The Middle Kingdom
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| Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:23 am Post subject: |
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Hearing the OP's story and knowing mine, I must say that GEPIK schools must be a mixed bag.
I do teach late two days a week, but get to go home early (2:30pm) on Tuesday, and spend 5 hours at home during the day on Friday. This means whenever we have a short day on Friday, I go home at 10:30am.
I had a month off in August, two weeks off in January, and two and a half weeks off now. I finished at 10:30am last Friday, and have Monday the 2nd off as well.
h |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:32 am Post subject: |
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Gotta disagree with you.
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You're in their school and as a result they would very much like to see you to succeed.
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That's not the attitude most people seem to get from GEPIK. You are assuming that GEPIK actually helps foreign teachers when, in fact, many posters, and many others have had the opposite experience. Where were you when multiple posters brought up overtime issues?
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GEPIK can't make the people that you work with like you and they can't settle everyone's unique dilemma because there are 1000s of other ESL teachers, some with serious problems that they're tending to (ie. no running water, walking 40 minutes to work, etc.).
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Uh, many teachers with BIG problems are ignored by GEPIK. There seems to be a club of personal friends who get their phone calls answered while others get the cold shoulder. It's been posted by many on here.
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| But I've found that if I roll with the punches, choose my battles and reduce the complaints, my time is much more enjoyable. |
Getting problems solved would help many others to have an enjoyable time in Korea. We are all adults and adults expect to be treated like adults in the workplace.
Did you know that GEPIK has a big problem with runners? It's been posted many times. When GEPIK ignores calls and emails that sends a message to foreign teachers that no one cares about them and that leads to runners.
When things can't be solved at the school level, GEPIK needs to be available to help foreign teachers. The schools don't need help- the foreign teachers need the help. |
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tHEhERETIC
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
Location: SinJang, Hanam-si
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| Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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Did you know that GEPIK has a big problem with runners? It's been posted many times. When GEPIK ignores calls and emails that sends a message to foreign teachers that no one cares about them and that leads to runners.
When things can't be solved at the school level, GEPIK needs to be available to help foreign teachers. The schools don't need help- the foreign teachers need the help. |
"Runners"? Do you mean people who walk away from their contracts? I've always suspected that was a problem, the way people here react when I say I want to visit Japan. Poor dears must be worried they won't see me again.
How big a problem is that, from the Koreans' point of view? |
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macaronique
Joined: 14 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Not for me! I love Gepik I do nothing all day but surf the internet.I have worked a total of maybe 30 hours since October so I basically do nothing. OP sucks for you my contract is over in October you can have my job. Oh and I have a nice crib as well and a 42 inch plasma screen tv. |
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nomad-ish
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Location: On the bottom of the food chain
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| Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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i think runners are not uncommon here. about 2 months after i arrived, the person at the school beside me ran (his co-teacher went over on monday when he didn't come to school and found his place empty), and my favourite student was telling me how her sister is jealous because she doesn't have a native english teacher (i asked about her sister's FT and found out he/she also up and left). and this is only at public schools.
also whenever i go on vacation, my co-teachers will ask a ton of questions, which doesn't usually bother me, but this winter vacation i was actually asked to write a report and state how much money i would be spending. i refused, but the point is is i believe they were sizing up my assets wondering if i had enough to take off. |
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