Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yokozuna85]

Hey all,

Newbie here...

So I've researched this forum to no end on all the info I can get on GEPIK and SMOE. It basically seems that its a hit or miss...if you get into a good school with either, then good for you, if not then too bad.

My recruiter has set me up with these 2 public school systems. I would like to know the following:

GEPIK- yes its not directly in Seoul, but is it like the suburbs (what's the living situation like)? How far is it from Seoul? Which province would you consider the "best" to live in in the Gyeonggi province?

which school system would you prefer? ...and why?

Thanks!

[Teelo]

Yes, GEPIK is suburbs and/or rural.

Its still hit and miss, you don't get to choose where you go, and once you're there you're stuck, and complaining about anything goes nowhere.

[jadarite]

If I didn't have any ties, I would live in Suwon. It's definitely a better city. I have seen many offers to work in Osan and Anyang, but I don't have any personal experience.

If you go through a recruiter, you CAN choose your location. I asked for Pyeongtaek, and I live here but work at a school 10-15 minutes away by bus.

[Yokozuna85]

[Teelo]

Well, if you want to be assured you will live in a city, then go with SMOE only.

[jadarite]

I can tell you living out here is not like Seoul. I spent 4 months in Seoul before coming here. You'll have to find out from someone else about SMOE rules and pay, but once you leave Seoul you won't see city life.

You could work in Bundang. That might be a better option if you were to go through GEPIK.

[Yokozuna85]

thanks all for the replies thus far, keep em' coming

If I were to go through GEPIK..whats the actuality that I would visit Seoul on my spare time to find friends to hang out w/ and such?

OH YEAH, thast a question I've been wondering. I realize that I'll be one of the few foreign teachers in GEPIK or SMOE...but what is the possibility of making friends, whether foreign or korean? I would like to meet a lot of people

[Teelo]

Don't expect to get any friends at the school you wind up at.
You might find other waegooks on the street in your neighbourhood, but since you'd be close enough to Seoul, just take a trip to Itaewon every weekend!

[Bibbitybop]

SMOE is good b/c you live in Seoul. They will enforce the contract, but that's it.

Your school life is up to your school, the principals and the admins. As long as they don't break the contract, SMOE won't help you do jack.

[nizpaz]

As a newbie myself I can offer some info on SMOE and being new in Seoul. With SMOE you have no choice where you are placed, just somewhere in Seoul. The city is massive and although the transportation system is excellent it can take a long long time to get into the centre, so travelling in from outside Seoul every weekend might become a drag, depending on your route.

SMOE is really like an umbrella organisation putting bums on seats. I've been here for 6 weeks and have not heard from a SMOE rep once since my job interview. Neither have I received any kind of followup or paperwork/guides etc. It's all down to the individual school once you arrive. From what my school administrator tells me, there is only one FT in a school. They do however follow SMOE rules/guidelines in terms of contract, hours and pay. Although everything else seems very open to the school's interpretation. Everything I read seems to be a different experience!

As a woman newbie, even in Seoul, I've found it difficult to make friends so far. You really have to put yourself out there, join clubs etc unless you feel comfortable trawling the bars in Itaewaon alone.

As for being outside the big city, I can only imagine it's harder.

[Yokozuna85]

[ttompatz]

Suwon is a really small city of just over 1 million people. (the capital of Gyeonggi province BTW).

Gyeonggi province is the province that SURROUNDS Seoul.

It is FASTER to get into central Seoul from places like Seohyun-dong in Bundang than it is to commute from many places that are actually in Seoul (like Gangdong or Cheon-ho).

Truly dude, there are much bigger things to worry about than your commute time to the party, bar or dance club. May be time to adjust your priorities a bit BEFORE you sign on the dotted line.

.

[Yokozuna85]

ttompatz,

Thanks for the info. But I am not just looking for the party life. I live in a rural town in the US right now, and I know the rural life is just not for me. There is no way of meeting people...let alone in a foreign country. I'm definitely looking for a good school, which is my main priority. But as we all discussed, it is hit or miss, so I'll do the next best thing and try to find a decent lifestyle along with hoping to get into a good school. Either way, I feel I'll have a great time in Korea, whether GEPIK or SMOE. Was just wondering what peoples' experiences were with each to help sway the decision.

[bogey666]