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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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 Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject: which would you pick Gepik or Epik? |
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I notice there are more and more complaints about Gepik. If you were new to teaching in Korea and you were looking to be closer to Seoul (forget S.M.O.E.),chance for higher pay with no teaching experience and more vacation days ,would you still be willing to go with Gepik even though more teachers are not having their contracts renewed or being fired for no reason? Would Epik be a better choice even though they do not offer the same benefits as Gepik, but supposedly are better towards their teachers?  |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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I'll preface this by stating I'm prejudiced - I'm with EPIK.
While GEPIK may offer more contractual benefits, with EPIK your actual benefits depend on the POE, the local school district and (most likely) your school's principal. In fact, I've never had any dealings with EPIK. My POE basically takes a 'hands off' approach (I went there for orientation and one afternoon for about an hour when I re-signed). My school district 'school inspector' and principal are the people who make decisions about me.
My EPIK contract states 14 working days holidays. Last year I had twelve weeks off - six during 'winter vacation', two during 'spring break', and four during 'summer vacation' (plus national holidays). I am never made to come in just to sit around and do nothing. I had a two-week summer camp at my school and could leave at 12:30 when finished. When I don't have classes, I can leave the school to go to the bank or to the post office to pay bills without even asking permission (I already have it). 
I think my case is the exception, not the rule. I'm not saying that with EPIC you will get the benefits I do. However, it's a possibility. Essentially, it's a crap shoot; but in many cases, with EPIK, you will get more benefits than in the contract - it depends mostly on your principal. This could also be true with GEPIK... I don't know... I've never worked in Gyeonggi-do.
Only you can make the decision. |
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jadarite
Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Location: Andong, Yeongyang, Seoul, now Pyeongtaek
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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| What benefits are in GEPIK that are not with SMOE? I thought public schools were essentially the same regarding salary, tax, pension, etc... |
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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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| If an applicant for Gepik has no experience they get 2.0 to start and 20 days vacation. If you apply with Epik you get 1.8 and I believe 14 days vacation. This is the standard with the contract,but like the previous person mentioned it is up to your principal if he/she wants to give you extra. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:49 pm Post subject: |
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GEPIK is closer to Seoul. Think that doesn't make a difference?
You will, you WILL. |
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Chamchiman
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Location: Digging the Grave
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject: Re: which would you pick Gepik or Epik? |
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| hochhasd wrote: |
| I notice there are more and more complaints about Gepik. If you were new to teaching in Korea and you were looking to be closer to Seoul (forget S.M.O.E.),chance for higher pay with no teaching experience and more vacation days ,would you still be willing to go with Gepik even though more teachers are not having their contracts renewed or being fired for no reason? Would Epik be a better choice even though they do not offer the same benefits as Gepik, but supposedly are better towards their teachers? |
Is this really your wish list?
Two things:
1. I'm with a GEPIK school and have had next to none of the problems others have experienced, which is further anecdotal evidence that it depends almost entirely on which school you end up in, and your relationship with the people that you work with.
2. In my school I get better benefits than in the standard contract because my principal sees what I do every day and knows I deserve them.
These two experiences could have happened just as easily in EPIK as in my GEPIK school. The school you end up in is a roll of the dice and the relationship you cultivate and the job that you do is in large part up to you.
So that leaves you with your original wish list. You seem to already be familiar with both contracts, so the choice seems clear.
Good luck. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: which would you pick Gepik or Epik? |
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| hochhasd wrote: |
| I notice there are more and more complaints about Gepik. If you were new to teaching in Korea and you were looking to be closer to Seoul (forget S.M.O.E.),chance for higher pay with no teaching experience and more vacation days ,would you still be willing to go with Gepik even though more teachers are not having their contracts renewed or being fired for no reason? Would Epik be a better choice even though they do not offer the same benefits as Gepik, but supposedly are better towards their teachers? |
Not intending to recommend either but let me clear up some fallacies in the OP:
GEPIK IS the largest POE in the country and in fact has more schools and teachers than the rest of the country combined.
GEPIK IS the province that surrounds Seoul. EVERYTHING else is farther away from Seoul.
Everyone who works in Gyeonggi province is under the umbrella of GEPIK and the GPOE (Gyeonggi provincial office of education) even if they do NOT sign a GEPIK contract or are not recruited by GEPIK directly.
Because it is the largest school system it hires the largest number of teachers. Last year there were about 1200 FTs (more than double the number in Seoul).
Teachers do NOT get fired for "no reason". We are an expensive asset for the school to acquire and terminating is usually a very last resort because of the financial losses the school incurs.
By and large, the majority of teachers are usually happy in their placements in public schools. There are exceptions because some school administrations do not want to be saddled with a FT. In some cases you get stuck with a KT co-teacher/supervisor who is more of a pain-in-the-ass than the job is worth. These happen in any job anywhere and are not unique to Korea or the PS system.
Don't just look at the base salary for your comparisons. Look at the whole remuneration package. The extras can add up significantly.
Now a note directly aimed at the OP (and perhaps a lot of other newbies who are considering ESL here after the economic meltdown at home):
This is NOT a personal attack but a suggestion that some introspection on your part may be in order. It might just save you a world of grief by not embarking on this adventure.
After reading most of your posts I would strongly recommend that you consider a job as a teacher in rural Arizona. If you qualify for a job teaching ESL here you qualify for a job there. They will give you a temp certification under the condition that as part of your job you continue your professional development.
Not everyone is cut out to be an expat. Rules that you know in a system that you understand doing a job that you have an interest in back in your home country might work better and cause you less grief. Are you ready and willing to pack it all in and become nothing more than a migrant worker (because after the dust settles that is what we really are).
Perhaps being a tourist here would be more in line with your expectations and attitudes.
.[/code] |
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jadarite
Joined: 01 Sep 2007
Location: Andong, Yeongyang, Seoul, now Pyeongtaek
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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| You will never know what the end result is until you play a card. Something got the original poster interested in coming to Korea instead of Japan which is more popular. I would explore the options. You can always go back to the states if you find it doesn't work out. |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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| GEPIK, EPIK, SMOE, etc etc.....It all depends on your individual school. It's the roll of the dice....seriously. |
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hochhasd
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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| jadarite wrote: |
| You will never know what the end result is until you play a card. Something got the original poster interested in coming to Korea instead of Japan which is more popular. I would explore the options. You can always go back to the states if you find it doesn't work out. |
I would like to thank everyone for their feedback. ttompatz, you have been very helpful in answering my questions, but I would have to agree with jadarite. I am aware of the the differences in Korea compared to the states. I am asking these questions so, I could have an idea of which direction I want to go in by picking Gepik or Epik. I finally made my decision after this thread. Thanks  |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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Being closer to Seoul is a VERY big deal when it comes to enjoying your time in Korea and being able to maximize your off time. I'm not talking about boozing it up but about being able to visit historical sites, shop, and meet other foreigners. Being closer to Seoul makes a big difference if you want have a better time in Korea.
GEPIK is closer to Seoul. |
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Ukon
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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Go SMOE....Seoul rocks  |
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yingwenlaoshi
Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Location: ... location, location!
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| Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:11 am Post subject: |
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| NOPIK. That's the best one. |
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the dakota kid
Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Location: Not in Seoul...
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| Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject: Close to Seoul |
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| I know it was a bit of luck, but I live in Gangwondo , near Chuncheon. That being said, I am 110 minutes out of Seoul and six hours from Busan... |
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niandralades
Joined: 11 Jun 2006
Location: incheon
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| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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| hochhasd wrote: |
| jadarite wrote: |
| You will never know what the end result is until you play a card. Something got the original poster interested in coming to Korea instead of Japan which is more popular. I would explore the options. You can always go back to the states if you find it doesn't work out. |
I would like to thank everyone for their feedback. ttompatz, you have been very helpful in answering my questions, but I would have to agree with jadarite. I am aware of the the differences in Korea compared to the states. I am asking these questions so, I could have an idea of which direction I want to go in by picking Gepik or Epik. I finally made my decision after this thread. Thanks |
ttompatz is always helpful. Thanks ttompatz! |
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