Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chiaa]

I like the "we will bring out the fans in June". Reminds me of a passage I read in "Learning to Bow" by Bruce Feiler where no matter what the temp the students had to wear their winter uniforms until a certain date.

[flotsam]

Nice advice Scott. Hell, I've seen enough Korean movies with the teacher looking exactly like you described to have been able to figure it out myself.

Also, somewhat happy ending: I cut a deal with the school where they give enough in another area for me to take the heat. I really wish I hadn't put on five kilos this winter though: gotta work fast.

Cheers all.

[Lizara]

[Hotpants]

Phew! You're saying there's a heatwave on??? It seems pretty mild to me and open windows seem to suffice right now.

It is nice to have AC if you're in a classroom facing the sun during mid-July to mid-Aug, although fortunately many of us are away on vacation during this time. Otherwise, Korean climate is just about manageable without aircon. If you really do need some breeze, I would personally sneak to another classroom when no one was there and pinch an electric fan. I've done that once before and nobody ever came knocking on my classroom door. Otherwise, you could start a new punishment trend: any naughty kid must stand at the front of the class and fan the teacher for punishment! Just be grateful you don't have to teach physical ed!

You should also encourage environmental trend amongst your kids not to use aircon unnecessarily. Too many people have a dependence on aircon topped up by a giant appetite for ondol heating systems in the fall/winter/spring - a real waste of energy. (Now the complaints will come in!...)

[crystal]

we have aircon thank god and already there are students asking every day to have it on, the classrooms on the top floor get really hot and even with the windows open its hard to get a good breeze moving. Had to teach one class today in a room with no windows, no ceiling fan, aircon not on yet and I was moving around a lot, it was horrible. I was so hot and sticky by the end of it, it was disgusting. I don't take the heat well so really couldn't survive without aircon or at the very least fans everywhere for summer

[flotsam]

[moptop]

I've been through two summers here, and the last one was bad. I was at a cheap public school that didn't believe in turning on the A/C until July.

I was in one classroom that had sun most of the day, and no breeze even with the windows open. I had lights pointed at the whiteboard that were close cousins to those found on a TV set, and a few times that summer I think they made me sunburned. I couldn't turn them off or the kids couldn't see the board.

The administration wouldn't give me a fan so I bought 2 of my own and the kids kept tripping over the cords and breaking them.

I finally snapped because I was sweating so much I had a heat rash over most parts of my body that looked like a roving band of mosquitos attacked me. They looked like hives!!! It was like agony to have fabric touching them. I was ready to walk out, but as soon as I said I would have to teach in a tank top at a mostly boy's school, they got me some A/C pretty darn quick. I guess I have sensitive skin....

You also learn the trick of changing your clothes a few times a day, and bringing a washcloth for a lunchtime sponge bath. They have little easy to carry fans at walmart for about 20,000 won that are great for travelling. Good luck with the summer temps!

[Milwaukiedave]

I'm glad someone posted this topic. I'm starting at a public school in Inchon next month. Not only am I going to ask about air conditioning at the school but also in my apartment.

[cdninkorea]

My (public) school is also without air conditioning. The worst part? I have to wear a shirt and tie to work everyday, no matter how hot it gets.

[Kimchieluver]

No A/C here either. It's gonna suck.