Korean Job Discussion Forums

[blackjack]

I am looking at taking a postion at a public school in the next month or so with GEPIK.

My problem is that while I am currently single, I am engaged to be married around half way through next year. The issue is with accommodation. If I sign up unmarried I will be issued with a studio apartment which will clearly be inadequate for a couple, does anyone have any experience with changing accommodation half way through a contract?

any advice would be appreciated

[jadarite]

I don't know about this, but I would talk with landlords and find out if you can get a bigger apartment or move out when you get married. The school is more likely to ok it if the landlord does. If the landlord sticks to a one year contract, then the school will probably not want to make any changes.

All schools I have worked with in Korea, 3 total, have asked me to get apartment arrangements first. I declined all 3 times, but if I were to get married, I would shop around.

[ttompatz]

[nobbyken]

Unfortunately for you, the 12-month lease which is the norm here does not suit you this year.
How about trying to get a bigger place from the outside (you may have to rattle about for a few months!), but you offer to pay part of the increased costs. The school don't have to provide bigger housing to you, especially a new teacher.
Maybe tell the school that you may have to consider waiting till after your marriage. They may feel it worth taking the chance on you for a bigger place.
The other alternative is that you and your other half just stick it out for the remainder of the year. Maybe the school could find you a mid-sized studio or something, so that your not sleeping on top of each other!

[antoniothegreat]

I would just talk to the school and politely explain and request a bigger place now, dont change later. Even if that means filing the paper work for the marriage BEFORE the contract, but doing the ceremony later.

If they disagree, go to a new school. Remember, you can find a job anytime. the school cannot find a new teacher.

They HAVE the money to afford a bigger place. schools are given (for EPIK) usually about 40,000,000 or 50,000,000 won per year for you. your salary, if you are at 2,200,000, including pension, airfare, insurance, totals about 33,600,000 won. Do the math.

[yeremy]

I suggest that you look at getting an 18 to 19 pyoung apartment, which should work out to be a one bedroom, with your own money if necessary, and take the housing allowance. That way you will be prepared.

[real merry hijackers]

i started at gepik in fall 2007. i told them i was getting married and they told me to go find a place. they offered me 1000/40 to find a place with a separate bedroom. couldnt find anything decent and told them that. a bit of resistance from the admin, followed by 2000/30 to go work with. still not great pickings. but did find a place. great location (but a little too close to subway-noisy til late), 2 bdrm. ended up being 2500/50. so school upped their portion, gave 2500/30, we pay 20man/mnth on top. not so bad. started school nov 2007, moved may 2008, married july 2008. had to find it ourselves.its doable, but i think there will always be resistance.

[pest2]

Hey, its slight off-topic, but don't forget that if you get married as an EPIK teacher, you get 1 week off for "honeymoon vacation"... and you can take it at anytime you desire, regardless of the school schedule.