Korean Job Discussion Forums

Sapa · Joined: 05 Nov 2007

Is it realistic to expect to see pictures of the provided apartment before even thinking of signing a contract with a school or hagwon?
The accomodation will be quite possibly the deciding factor for where me and my gf end up teaching. We want to make sure we can actually live there for a year and not be in a dump. When looking at jobs I would imagine you end up looking at 10+ different jobs before making a decision. Is it normal practice to be able to know what the apartment will be like before going any further? Should I just ditch the jobs and companies that cannot provide the pictures?

Any advice?

KoreanAmbition · Joined: 03 Feb 2008

I'm not sure of the answer to that, but I sure hope your question leads to positive answers. hehe

I have hardly seen any pictures of apartments, and when I do I love the fact I get a glimpse of what I might be getting.

You'd think in this new digital era that taking a picture and putting it online would be standard procedure by now.

I'm currently searching for jobs and I know that I would love to see pictures of where I would be living. I agree that the housing could easily be a reason to choose one job over another.

Anyways, good post topic.

Christinateacher · Joined: 05 Dec 2007

When you applied did you provide them with a picture of you? If you did then I don't think you would be asking too much by wanting to know what the school and apartment look like.

It is not hard for them to provide pictures. I requested pictures with my first job and it was fine. If they are being difficult when you ask for a few photographs you have to think what will they be like if you have a more serious problem or request.

Personally I wouldn't go to schools that can't send me a picture.

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

When I accepted a job I asked about pictures of the apartment and was told they hadn't located one yet. That made me a little suspicious, but when I arrived, they'd found an apartment and it's positively lovely.

Now I'm going to a different city and they sent pictures of the apartment and school with the offer...again, a perfectly lovely apartment, but totally different than the one I'm in now.

I've certainly heard stories of absolutely awful, completely substandard places full of mold etc so I think pictures are very important. Also many apartments are just one room plus a bathroom and that's a bit small.

My first apartment is a 3rd floor walkup, 2 bedroom, bathroom, and combined kitchen/dining, but no living room. Plenty roomy for one person though.

The one I'm going to is 1 bedroom, large living, bathroom, balconey, kitchen, also unshared.

I'd still say, get pictures.

Seon-bee · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Location: ROK

It's not out of the ordinary to not have a picture of housing available. If you are replacing a teacher who is leaving, then sure, a picture is possible. But if you are a new or an additional teacher to the staff, a new apartment must be rented and may not be ready yet.

If that's the case, ask to see a picture of another teacher's apartment or ask current teachers if they are satisfied with their housing.

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

Does/Will your contract specify the name of the school you'll be working at? I went through a recruiter but knew the name of the school. I contacted the current NT at the time and asked for pics of the apartment and lots of other questions before I signed.

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

More than a few job offers have been rescinded in my latest job hunt because I firmly require photos of the apart-uh.

polonius · Joined: 05 Jun 2004

I always give prospective teachers pictures of the apartments. Most of my apartments are the same style, and while I tell the teachers they may not be receiving the exact apartment, they will get one similar.

I don't think it is too much to ask for, considering this will be your home for a year.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

I think it is a great idea to ask (demand) photos of your apartment. Find out if you have things like:

TV/Dvd player
Table
Desk
Window/view

There are plenty of jobs to choose from so why not stand firm on this one. Korea is a country built on technology and digital cameras are everywhere, esp. on cellphones. A photo can easily be emailed so excuses are just that and are likely there to cover up a nasty truth.

One year is a long time to be in subpar accomodations.

pjmancktelow · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

i have been considering the same idea and also to ask for the address of both the school and the apartment, im assuming of course i can find out exactly how far it is away from one another. anybody done similar or commnet on that idea?

Mi Yum mi · Joined: 28 Jan 2008

You're asuming the school owns the apt in question. A lot of them look for a place to rent (key money) when they get a teacher.

If I was an evil boss I'd take a pict of my nice pad and say that's the place you'll be staying. Then when you showed up I'd say it's miscommunication.

jellobean · Joined: 14 Mar 2006

Not sure you could get away with this, but if one was worried that the pictures shown are not the apt you get, you could always request a clause with an excessive housing allowance (say 600,000/month) if you do not receive the apartment in the pictures. Anyone willing to sign the clause would probably not be showing false pictures.

BTW, definitely insist on pictures.

Sapa · Joined: 05 Nov 2007

Because there is 2 of us that will be sharing is it right to expect something a bit better than the average apartment? I mean really we should be getting the housing allowance x2. This is one area I worry they may stuff us, just thinking that they can save money by putting a couple in an apartment usually used by a single teacher.
I know we could insist on them giving us the money instead but with key deposit and just having to find a place ourselves when not in country, it doesn't seem to be an option.

rationality · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Location: Some where in S. Korea

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I've been here years, and lived in no fewer than 5 places.

ALWAYS insist on either seeing the place, or having photos (at the very least).

I once answered an ad for a hagwon which bragged on and on about a spacious 3 bedroom apartment. One of the rooms was no bigger than a phone booth -- the other barely 70 square feet, and the third somewhere in between. It was old, decrepid, and roach-infested.

A huge percentage of teacher problems are about housing issues.