Korean Job Discussion Forums

lookingtoteach · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

I was supposed to be going to work in Ansyang, but well, that didn't work out. Now, I have been offered a job and sent a contract from Oh Sung Shik English Club in Seongnam, Seoul, starting in early January. Has anyone heard of this school or this area? I don't want to go into the contract without knowing anything about the school. They're offering studio apartment within 10 minute walking distance, and it's close to the subway. Does this sound like an okay starting place? This is my first time in Korea and I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere. The city's website said it had 950,000ish people, which is big compared to Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada which has maybe (on a lucky day) 150,000. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Seongnam city is literally, 'A Tale of Two Cities'. One half is the older, noisier, dirtier side. Known generally as Seongnam city.

The other side is Bundang-gu. Newer, cleaner, more organised.

They really are worlds apart. I know because I've lived in both.

Seongnam is, to say the least, more lively. But there's a price to pay for the extra nightlife. The streets are a bit meaner and you will run into the less pleasant aspects of Korea.

Bundang is just a surburban nothingness. Quiet, safe, but boring.

Here's the Seongnam website in English.

[url] http://www.cans21.net/etc/country/e_home/index.asp[/url]
Ask your employer which -gu and -dong you will be living in.

Let me know.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

There's a saying around here that any city size you come across in Korea, subtract a zero from the end of it and you'll get a better idea of the population size Laughing

So a city of 950,000 would be more like 95,000 people.

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

If it's a new school, then good luck getting any info. You're pretty much gonna be a self-starter.

If it's been around for awhile, ask your boss for e-mail addies of previous teachers.

Very Happy

Holyjoe · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Location: Away for a cuppa

OSS is a huge franchise chain, and it comes down to the individual owner as to whether or not the school is good or not. I had some friends who worked at the same branch of an OSS near Seoul and 2 of them got cheated out of their return air-fare, and 1 of them was 11-monthed and lost both airfare and bonus.
Then again, I know someone else who worked for an OSS and they had a smooth experience.

As for Seongnam, well if you're a football (soccer) fan then they're home to the reigning K-league champions from the past 3 years. Moran Market in Seongnam is the place to go in Korea if you want to stock up on ingredients for certain... umm... canine delicacies.
Bundang is quite nice in an inoffensive sort of way, quiet and within reasonable distance of Seoul for shopping and nightlife needs.

As the person above said, try and get hold of previous teacher email addresses and see what they have to say about the place.

lookingtoteach · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

Thanks. Any advice on what to leave home and what to definitely bring with me? I'm absolutely lost when it comes to packing and what I won't be able to get there, blah blah blah...

IconsFanatic · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

Into soccer at all? The reinging champions are Seongnam.

waterbaby · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

pack a few cones and that should last ya until ya discover soju... take the gig bro, at least you are here.. ya can get a better job if things dont work out..

maerong · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I think I know this place...however, there may be more than one branch of OSS in Seongnam by now.

Did you speak to anyone from the school? If it's the one I'm thinking of, it's all right, as good a place as any to start out. The owner is a Mr Cho, and the English-speaking supervisor is called Michelle. They are decent people and a friend of mine completed his contract there last year.

I wonder, how did you find this position? If it came through a recruiter, what was their name? If it's got anything to do with Ahn Sung-Shik or Jin Ki-Hong, they are BAAAAD NEWS!! Not only are they bandits, but utterly incompetent bandits! They may be using an American dude named Josh as their front man. He's good drinking company, but he won't be much help when they forget to house you or pay you, whatever he might tell you to the contrary.

The reason I know this is that I used to work with these characters, and believe me, it got VERY UGLY!! I'd like to think they are no longer in the recruiting game, but if they are, DO NOT SIGN FOR THEM!!

If necessary, I could probably put you in direct contact with the hakwon, cut those A$$CLOWNS out and get yourself a pay rise into the bargain.

I'm very curious about this now, please post again with the details of the hakwon and how you found it. Also I'd be interested to know if these so-called recruiters have been sighted recently. They used to go by the name of Sejong Education, or possibly Emoko, and they had a website (apparently offline now), www.eslbay.co.kr.

lookingtoteach · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

The job came through a recruiter named Robin Park. It's not a horrible first job. 2m/month, single furnished accomodations, right by the subway, 10 minutes from the school, 11:30-7:30 Monday-Friday. I was hoping to get shared accomodations, but I'll live. Thanks for the info.

maerong · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

That sounds about right. Looks like they've found another recruiter. Good.