Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cgbeauch]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I are planning on moving to Korea to teach later this year. I have seen a number of job postings here at Dave's marked "couples," but have not been able to find any info on the forums specific to couples.

I've got a few questions:

Are there other contract considerations people signing as couples need to think about? Obviously the biggest difference would be the type of accommodation offered. Anyone successfully negotiate better apartments because of the couple thing (two living allowances)?

Are couples hired more often/less? What are the big advantages for the employer in hiring couples? Is it just about saving that extra living allowance?

Also, I'm not worried at all about spending too much time with my girlfriend. We've been together for 4 years and still enjoy each other very much. That said, anyone have any comments about living and working so closely with someone?

Thanks a bunch.

Cheers,
Chris

[ironwolves]

WOW this must be a repost because the same question was asked yesterday and still up.


I know I am a noob here but at least I know what the search button is for.

[cgbeauch]

[KoreanAmbition]

Ironwolves,

You say you're a noob here, but by your post (short, somewhat rude, demeaning) I'd say you've already been initiated by a lot of the veterans on the board.

Consider yourself worthy of dropping the newb status.



Cgbeauch,

I think a lot of places would be happy to hire to couples since they get more security. By that I mean for one it's less likely you to leave since you won't hate somewhere as much or as fast if you have someone else with you. So the school won't fear you will run from the job if things are perfect.

Also, when they extort you, they get 2 extortions for the price of 1. You're giving THEM a deal. hehe

For housing, I have been looking into this same issue. I've experienced that instead of you each getting a studio apartment, you might get offered a 1-bedroom apartment which is a step up. I know other couples can get 2- or 3- bedroom apartments depending on what city you are looking for.

Schools outside of Seoul might be more receptive to couples because they probably have a harder time filling positions and would like to kill 2 birds with one stone through hiring a couple. Also, in smaller cities you will probably get better housing.

I consider it a big advantage to go there with someone else because you can tolerate a lot more. At least when life will suck (which at times it will) you'll have someone else to complain to about it.

One opportunity you have that is interesting to research is the housing allowance part.

If both you and your gf can find jobs that give housing allowance then you have 2 choices:

1) You could live in a little studio for the year together and take extra money from the other's contract for housing allowance. It would add up through the year to possibly almost $3000 which might be a fun trip if you don't mind staying in the smaller accomodations.

2) You could each take the housing allowance and then go rent your own apartment combining the 2 amounts. Some companies might let you move in to the housing first and then in the contract have it written that you can change to housing allowance at a later time. I think that you might find that BOTH of your housing allowances combine to give you better housing than you would get through the school.


Anyways, those are just my opinions. I'm not expert but I've done a lot of researching so far and I think that being a couple does have some decent options for housing and possible incentives for the school to hire you both.

If you're lucky someone else will provide you with the DOWNSIDE to this situation. I think the biggest downside is that if you sign with a school that is going to SCREW YOU OVER then you are BOTH going to get screwed over.

Risk / Reward is probably the best comment on this matter.

Good luck

[cgbeauch]

[KoreanAmbition]

Cgbeauch,

You have mail.

Cheers

[cgbeauch]

[KoreanAmbition]

I got it and my response was sent back to you.


I think it takes you 25 posts to get access to the PM messaging.

[ironwolves]

Sorry if I pissed anyone off but I thought this subject would have been thrown out alot.

I dont know if they (the schools) would give you an increase in your monthly wage, but also you dont have to work in the same school since publis transportation is so widely used. Then your monthly charges will be split into two.

Am I a NOOB on this forum, yes, am I a NOOB on the net, no. I have search the web for the past 2 weeks about ESL so I know some information. Also, I have lived in Korea for over a year, but that was in the 90s.

[KoreanAmbition]

Ironwolves,

I was just trying to imply that this poster probably didn't know the thread was already started, and even if he did, it doesn't make him a bad guy.

Also, sometimes certain forum members don't see one thread and might see another which means more information might come out of something.

I don't mind usually posting something twice, and if I did mind, I could just include a link to the other thread for the OP.

Anyways, I think WE as newbies have to be nice to each other since we're all in the same boat together.

Cheers

[adventure pidgey]

Hi all,

I'm the OP from the competing "getting work for married couples" post, http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=114950 -- figures we'd think to ask about the same topic at the same time! I linked my post, as I got two helpful replies, which my be of interest to my fellow n00bs here.

[bliss]

I'm work at a very good hagwon and am due to finish my contract early May, along with my co-worker at the same time.

So you could surely apply for a job here as a couple...

The location is about 80km south of Seoul; smallish city.

I've had a good year here and have no regrets.

[email protected]

[cgbeauch]

[KoreanAmbition]

[Mi Yum mi]