Korean Job Discussion Forums

[summer33ny]

We are a couple planning on leaving this February to teach for a year. We have our sights on teaching in the south of Korea. A recruiter in Yeosu that came highly recommended, hasn't really been working out and we are now seeking out other alternatives...

We are considering going through an EPIK recruiter. The communcation has been outstanding, not only do they seem MUCH more organized and on top of things, but the offer is the best by far.

We are well aware that we are going to be placed in a rural, isolated area. And we are okay with this. But we would like to hear any info from other people who have gone through Epik and are living in Jeonamm in particular. Any ideas where we might be placed in particular (we were told there are only 4 positions)???

We are also curious about couples housing. The recruiter mentioned that unmarried english teachers are not allowed to cohabitate on Jinju. Anyone know is this is true? Can we request couple's housing on the contract before we sign?

We would be so greatly for any advice from anyone.

[KimchiExplosion]

I teach public school in Jeonamm. Contact Canadian Connections. That's how almost all public school teachers get jobs down here (unless you want to live in Gwanju). They will treat you VERY well. And no, you don't have to be from Canada to use them. I know of a number of people who share housing. Don't listen to the naysayers that bash Jeonamm. It's great down here.

[summer33ny]

Actually Canadian Connections is the recruiter we were going through... and our experience with them hasn't been so great. We found their communication poor and vague. They sent us a contract 2 weeks ago and never responded to our questions about it. We just don't feel very comfortable with them at all at this point, although people highly recommend them.

ESL-Planet is like a 360 difference. I feel MUCH more comfortable with them and it seems like a much better offer. Now I am just curious to know more about people's experiences with EPIK in Jeonamm.

[summer33ny]

bump...

[Smee]

I went through Canadian Connections, too, and had a decent experience a couple of years ago. But I've heard a few bad reviews lately to make me question what's going on over there.

I can't speak to any of the specifics you asked, but I'm wondering if you mean "Jindo" rather than "Jinju"? Jinju is a city in Gyeongsangnam-do, the next province over. Jindo is a county in Jeollanam-do comprised entirely of islands. It's rural, and I know there's at least one other Jindo teacher on this board. We just had some conversations about the area, so run a search (and switch the post title) if you mean Jindo. If not, sorry for the mix-up.

[summer33ny]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. I did mean Jinju Island. This was our second choice of location with the recruiter. There are many more positions there, but we were also told they do not allow couple's housing (which doesn't work for us). Jeonamm is our first choice (for other reasons as well) but we would be interested in hearing the experiences of anyone living in these provinces who have gone through Epik.

[The Great Toad]

Get ready for some disapproval... unlike the moral wasteland of Canada where marijuana is a silly- 'oh put that out crime' and mores something to be discussed and self determined in an ale soaked Rocky Mountain Tavern- Korea still is holding onto some Universal Laws via Confucianism / Buddhism / Christianity.

I would warn you NOW that you may well be treated badly merely for the basis of your sexual relationship and the Local Education Office may discriminate against you in your housing situation. After you sign the contract and become an employee of a local Office of Education - any and all assurances your recruiter told you about are less than hearsay. And the head EPIK office in Seoul has about as much power over tour local EdOfffice as America does over the policies of Venezuela.

I would make sure there is something in the actual Contract stating you are allowed and approved to live in sin with your lover. Does that sound harsh and judgemental? Welcome to Korea! This is not a land where political correctness and sensitivity to 'alternative lifestyles' is covered in the school curriculum.

Then again they very well might be incredibly grateful for you teaching in their isolated country side and your housing could be larger than what a City type teacher would get. Yet, I advise you speak as little as possible about your quarters and avoid being prodded into morality arguments as you will be seen as absolutely WRONG from the outset.

[summer33ny]

Thanks, Toad. Actually the recruiter did warn us about this being a problem in Jinju. Do you think the same goes for rural Jeonnam as well?
I think it's silly--but really does anyone know whether we are married or not? If we say we are married will anyone really check??? (The recruiter had suggested we may want to say this on our application--but I didn't want to lie) And can we be "engaged" and living together???

What if we were to get married in Korea?.. Does this marriage hold up when we come back to the states??? If not, we would do it just there then...

[The Great Toad]

Hmm I would say the view on your living together would be the same everywhere in Korea... well Seoul might be the most accepting but even there you would find many an Absolutes Believer who would not fail to correct you ... well at least orally- for your unwed home bound liaisons.

I would guess a marriage license in a small town that did not file it in a computer and merely had it registered in a county office file cabinet would remain hidden from all but the most determined sleuth. But, it might make for a good movie --- ala Ashton in Las Vegas - if for some reason one of you claimed you were married back in Canada later on when you bacame a Landed Lumber Jack Company Heiress.