Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MrsSeoul]

Removed

[R. S. Refugee]

GEPIK has orientation? How many years do you have to work there before they let you attend?

[Easter Clark]

I would change the fact that I've been here for a year without having attended, and will be made to attend next month (if they have it)--in the 2 month of my renewed contract (14 months in)!

[icnelly]

Get off the we must have PhDs talk about their academic interests and actually use the human resources that the organization has. The information in the 2007 guidebook was interesting and useful, but the talks were not. Leave the academic info in the booklet for later reference/learning and get some actual teachers who have done something to provide information. I know we've got at least one American PhD actually teaching in Gepik, and other teachers who run resource pages for widespread sharing of resources and information. That those are not utilized in any way is telling.

[LostinKSpace]

Orientations can be the most tiresome boring things on the planet, but there is no need for them to be that way. Rather than having an hour talk on the benefits of Korean food and being told that you are fat and please be aware that you are in a different culture so learn to be sensitive especially you fat people.

The orientations could be broken into smaller workshops with practical advice and participation on how to plan lessons, what works in the classroom, coping strategies for those who live out in the sticks, how to say no etc.. to avoid 'cultural confilict'. Orientation could be about how to make the most of your stay in Korea and have a positive impact (although it is hard to see at times) on the students that you teach. People should come away from orientation with something tangible that they can use to make their life easier not just a hangover and a desire to buy a pdp just in case you have to go to another orientation. GEPIK needs to organize itself and have orientation with meaning rather than, "isn't it nice for all you to get together and aren't we so great for giving you this oppurtunity now Kimchi will cure everthing but it may be too hot for you blah blah blah"