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New School, new life!
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dawnapril



Joined: 19 Oct 2007

PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:17 pm    Post subject: New School, new life! Reply with quote

Hi everyone,

okay Im new to here, the reason I have joined is I've just signed a contract for a school in Incheon called GLS EG English School, Im very curious about what to expect when I get to Korea, and also a bit anxious as I have read a few horror stories about schools, if anyone has heard of this school and wants to share an opinion I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Michelle
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spliff



Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You'd think you would have posed this query before you actually "signed" the contract... Very Happy
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Gamecock



Joined: 26 Nov 2003

PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Expect to get screwed over royally at every opportunity! Then each day of relative peace, civility, and equitable treatment will seem like paradise for you. A successful journey in Korea is all about lowered expectations.
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Scotticus



Joined: 18 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 6:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why Incheon?
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dawnapril



Joined: 19 Oct 2007

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay that makes me really excited thanks! ! So were you there for long? I chose Incheon because of it being close to Seoul and also theres a lot of schools in the area. My experience expectations are high, my living conditions I'm not too bothered about, once its not crawling with dirt I'm happy.
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CentralCali



Joined: 17 May 2007

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Incheon is something like an hour or so subway ride to Seoul. I wouldn't even begin to guess at how long it would take on the roads.
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PigeonFart



Joined: 27 Apr 2006

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't worry. Everything will probably be fine. I spent my first year in Korea in a hogwon in Incheon. Everything ran smoothly.

Incheon was good in my opinion. I was only a 40minute bus ride to Hongdae. Yet far enough from Seoul so the accomodation prices were cheaper...my officetel was big and well equipped (washer and dryer...even a dishwasher!!!). I've seen some peoples studios in Seoul, they tend to be a bit on the small side. The social life in Incheon was good too. All the foreign teachers from local schools would gather in a certain bar during the weekdays, and then we'd go to hongdae at the weekend. It was the best of both worlds. Good luck with it.
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Jizzo T. Clown



Joined: 27 Mar 2006
Location: at my wit's end

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave O wrote:
Don't worry. Everything will probably be fine. I spent my first year in Korea in a hogwon in Incheon. Everything ran smoothly.

Incheon was good in my opinion. I was only a 40minute bus ride to Hongdae. Yet far enough from Seoul so the accomodation prices were cheaper...my officetel was big and well equipped (washer and dryer...even a dishwasher!!!). I've seen some peoples studios in Seoul, they tend to be a bit on the small side. The social life in Incheon was good too. All the foreign teachers from local schools would gather in a certain bar during the weekdays, and then we'd go to hongdae at the weekend. It was the best of both worlds. Good luck with it.


Whoa...you had a dryer?
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seoulman1



Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Location: Jamsil

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gamecock wrote:
Expect to get screwed over royally at every opportunity! Then each day of relative peace, civility, and equitable treatment will seem like paradise for you. A successful journey in Korea is all about lowered expectations.


living in Korea can be paradoxical. You gotta be friendly to the kids and then watch your back with the adults. You really gotta project your confidence or people will walk over you for at every chance. Koreans arn't as lovely dovey as what you are used to back home.

In saying that if you can work out how to enjoy your time in Korea and deal with Koreans it can be a bloody excellent place to live.
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IncognitoHFX



Joined: 06 May 2007
Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

CentralCali wrote:
I wouldn't even begin to guess at how long it would take on the roads.


I drove from there to Seoul a few weeks ago. Takes about 35-45 minutes on a non-busy highway Razz
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anf1984



Joined: 03 May 2007

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Find out WHERE in Incheon you are. It can be pretty far to Seoul.... especially if you're not right on the subway lines and have to take a bus to the subway. I think pretty much everywhere is connected with the red buses- but I personally find them so unpredictable that I don't usually take them.
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dawnapril



Joined: 19 Oct 2007

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 5:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Dave O,
yeah it sounds great, Im getting a lot of positive feedback from some people and then some really negative from other people I meet or chat to, but i love to travel and meet new people so Im guessing I'll enjoy it
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the1andonly



Joined: 08 Feb 2007

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sucker!

My friend worked at that same school two years ago. Her pay was late almost every month. They changed her schedule constantly. If she was sick, they'd knock on her door, force korean rice porridge down her throat and wait for her to get ready to drag her to school. Typical hagwon I guess. But frig, Incheon and a shiit school???? Why oh why subject yourself to two strikes.... work there and your out!

haha!
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dawnapril



Joined: 19 Oct 2007

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sucker!

My friend worked at that same school two years ago. Her pay was late almost every month. They changed her schedule constantly. If she was sick, they'd knock on her door, force korean rice porridge down her throat and wait for her to get ready to drag her to school. Typical hagwon I guess. But frig, Incheon and a shiit school???? Why oh why subject yourself to two strikes.... work there and your out!


Sounds great, I enjoy a change of schedule and rice porridge is my favourite food. Thanks you have got me really excited now, wish theyd just hurry up and sort the visa so I can l begin living that dream!!
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valkerie



Joined: 02 Mar 2007
Location: Busan

PostPosted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi DawnApril,

I like your attitude! You will have a great time precisely because of that (and regardless of any icky stuff that may happen.) If you asked the teachers at my place how they felt you would get totally different answers so expect that here... I def think it is better (mentally and physically) to be withing travel distance of Seoul but not in it every day.

Have a wonderful time.
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