Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Monkey82]

I've been offered a job with the Busan MOE.
I had also been offered a job in Gyeonggi, and sent a GEPIK contract.

I'm taking the Busan job, but there's one thing the EPIK contract doesn't seem to have. From what I can see there's no mention in the EPIK contract of housing for married couples.

So I just don't get it and we have to live in a small place? Or I could take the housing allowance and get a larger place and pay the difference. Would the school put up key money for that?

Thanks.

[marlow]

Will you both work for EPIK? If so, the allowance will be 800,000 in March.

If not, then you have to take your chances with what they will give you, and if you do a good job, you can probably move up to something bigger eventually.

[Ramen]

I think it depends on your school. Ask(insist) for a larger apartment. If they want you bad enough, they'll accomodate.

[Monkey82]

I was told it's a large apartment, but not large enough for two people.

My spouse will (hopefully) be teaching at somepoint too, but can't join me in Korea until just after Christmas. I feel like I'd have more pull if we were going together to begin with.

I was told if we were both teaching we could get a large place, but that they can't switch my apartment mid-contract. I understand that.

Do you really think if I push they'll acquiesce? I feel like I've got a decent chance if I push... it's through the Busan MOE and I think there's two or three schools that need teachers asap, because I got my choice. And this one was the one that could provide the largest apartment (and was in a better area from what I could tell).

I'm sending my contract and stuff tomorrow. Should I hold off sending it until I get a bigger apartment? I asked to know the exact size of the apartment.

It's a weird situation where I'm going out alone to begin with.

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

If your not both working for EPIK, or GEPIK or whatever then they wont help your spose. They employe you and will provide you and only you with housing.

If in the future she comes and picks up work with them aswell, then you could move into a larger house for both of you and theyll pay.

But they wont provide housing to your wife just cos your married and only you work for them.

You could always try to negotiate the apartment once you arrive.....i know people have done it.

[thatwhitegirl]

[Monkey82]

Actually the GEPIK contract I was sent specifically said that couple's housing would be provided for married couples, even if one was a dependent and not working.

Although the EPIK contract doesn't say that, my interviewer at the Busan MOE said it was their policy to provide couple's housing, in the case of married couples, even if only one was a teacher. BUT because we weren't coming out together I wasn't eligible. Even though I'll only be alone for a month, or 6 weeks at the most.

I offered to pay the difference on a couple's apartment while it's just me.

[jellobean]

See how far you can push them. Tell them you have another offer that will give you couples housing. Use your "concern for your spouse" as your reasoning. Insist that they allow you to pay the difference until your wife gets there as a reasonable compromise. If they really are desperate this is nothing.

[marlow]

[jellobean]

Just beware, once you take an apartment, they aren't likely to change you or give you housing allowance until the end of the year because they are often locked into a one year lease.