Korean Job Discussion Forums

[TBirdMG]

I was just offered an SMOE position via a standardized contract. It did not specify level of education, location of school, or type/location of housing. I am fairly comfortable with determining the school AFTER I arrive, but it would be really nice to know that I am teaching MS or HS, and not elementary or kiddie. As well, I want to make sure, unequivocally sure, that I do not end up in Dongdaemun stadium housing, or any sort of goshiwon/homestay/cardboard box with kimchi on the rooftop. What actions can I take to communicate to SMOE that substandard housing is literally unacceptable?

I mean, it would look bad to refuse housing upon arrival and quit the job before even starting...right?

Out of curiosity, what has been the SMOE experience in terms of taking the housing allowance and looking for housing independently for teachers coming from abroad. Is time allocated for the housing search, or is this only an option for teachers already in-country?

Is housing information provided during the 1 week orientation, or is it more like, 'Come with me now that orientation is over. Bring your bags. You will meet your principal, VP, and then we take you to your housing.'

[sigmundsmith]

[KYC]

What I dont like is that in the contract it states if you take the housing allowance, SMOE or the school will not furnish it. Sucks big time. I just got accepted to SMOE too..hopefully I won't get crappy housing either.

[prideofidaho]

Look, if you find yourself in the co-op and you absolutely hate it, you can move out. I did it. It wasn't all that difficult. I found a place to live, told my district, and that was it...the next month the money was in my account.

The difficulty with taking housing allowance before arriving in Seoul and looking for your own place once you get here is that you probably don't quite know how to go about doing it. I wouldn't have. But you've got time to do that now.

Anyway, just wanted to say that the co-op isn't THAT bad. Sure, it's in a semi-sleazy area, but there's nothing to say that a woman being propositioned wouldn't happen anywhere else. I've been shoved to the ground in my neighbourhood by a group of young men who had clearly overindulged themselves...freaky, but not uncommon anywhere in the world. The plus side of the co-op is that it's an incredibly central location, it's clean, and you won't be want for other foreigners to spend time with.

Bear in mind that things could be a lot worse than in the co-op....you could be a good ten-minute cab or bus-ride from the subway, you could be on the outskirts of the city, and you could be living in a dive.

If you really can't fathom living there and don't want to risk it, tell them now and start looking for a place. You might want to come into Seoul about a month before hand..and do make sure you've got enough cash. Even if you arrive in Seoul prior to your start date with SMOE, they will re-imburse your flight, so don't worry about that.

Oh, and on a side-note, I didn't know about the co-op before I came here, and when I got there in September, I was just happy to be done with that godforsaken training session. I didn't spend the month prior to arriving here having nightmares about a place that I was in for maybe 7 hours a night.

Best of luck.

[Bibbitybop]

prideofidaho, does the Co-op still have a rule about "no overnight guests?" That would be a deal breaker for a lot of people.

I agree with pretty much all that sigmundsmith said. Women do have trouble in that area, and it is possible to be propositioned anywhere, but the chances are much higher in that area due to the amount of Russians. Not being prejudice, but people who see a woman they think is Russian often think they can be easily bought for sex. Physical assaults (grabbing, pulling, following) have occurred there.

The size of the rooms are insane. If you have more than 2 suitcases full of belongings, you will be lining your already-too-small floor space with your stuff.

[prideofidaho]

[Mr. BlackCat]

I started with SMOE in March (but missed orientation...awww, shucks...). When I walked into the closet they called my housing I right away said it was too small. Two days later I informed my co-teacher that I was looking for a new place and by the end of the week I found one. They made a small stink about how they had a contract with my landlord so I wouldn't get the allowance until they found someone new to take the place. In the end we talked it out and agreed that I wouldn't get the allowance for the two weeks in April I was in my new place, but starting in May I would (should be confirmed today with my pay.

The original place was about 4-5 pyeong (maybe 4mx3.5m). There was insane construction right below my window from 6am to 10pm everyday. It was unlivable. However, if it was my first year in Korea or if it was more central then maybe I would have put up with it (without the constant ridiculous construction, though).

I ended up finding a place through this site (incredibly lucky break). No key money, so I didn't ask for any. The original place was a 5 minute walk to my school but now I've got a 50 minute commute. But I live in a much better area, closer to multiple subways.

But I know some people who have decent SMOE housing. Even in central locations. If you don't know where you'll be working it's pretty hard to find a place. You'll also probably need key money and to speak Korean (or have a good Korean friend). I haven't been to the co-op but I've seen pics. It doesn't look too bad. And it's very central. Places in Seoul are usually small, especially in such a central setting. The agreement you have to sign sounds ridiculous, though.

Good luck.

[Mr. BlackCat]

KYC wrote:

[KYC]