Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LydiaSarah]

I'm heading to Bucheon with GEPIK in a few short weeks and have some random questions for all you vet. teachers out there.

1) In your experience, do you get your own classroom with GEPIK? Would I be able to put up my own posters, etc?

2) What types of prizes do middle school students over there like? I've only worked with pre-k and elementary before, so middle school is new to me and I'm not sure if pencils and stickers will be appreciated anymore.

3) What is a good bank to have stateside for paying bills, loans, etc? Do you have to pay a fee every time you transfer money from a Korean bank to your US bank? Is this process difficult?

4) Are debit/credit cards from the U.S. widely accepted? Should I plan on bringing enough cash to get me through to my first paycheck?

That's all for now, but there may be more as I think of them. Thanks in advance for the help!!!

[climber159]

1. You might get your own classroom, you might not. It depends on the school. Chances are better that you will not have your own classroom though. Generally, in Korea, it's the teachers who change classrooms from period to period.

2. Don't do prizes. At least initially. Wait until you're a month or so into your job. If you start out with prizes your students will be more impossible to work with than normal. Start out being a bit strict, then soften later. It'll make you life much easier.

3. Use a big US bank. Avoid the tiny community banks. You do pay for wire transfers every time you make a transfer.

4. If you have a US debit/credit card with a VISA or MasterCard logo you'll be fine. BUT...BUT...bring enough cash to get you though a month. While plastic is widely accepted here, don't depend on it for several reasons.
a. With every transaction you will pay a foreign currency exchange fee.
b. What will you do if your card breaks, gets lost, or the network goes down?
c. You can almost always bargain down a bit if you pay with cash.

Bring about $1000 US to get you through the first month. DON'T exchange any before you get to Korea. Exchange SOME at the airport when you arrive. Then, go to Itaewon and find one of the MANY exchange posts and do the remainder there. Banks give the worst exchange rates, airport is slightly better, the Itaewon money exchangers tend to be pretty good.

Good luck.

[RufusW]

Is there Maestro in Korea? (like the Mastercard logo but blue and red)

[climber159]

I think the international ATMs in Korea will accept a Maestro card. I haven't seen any Maestro signs at businesses though. Despite the fact that many businesses DO accept credit/debit cards, Korea is still very much a cash-based economy. I suggest you bring cash and use plastic as a backup.