Korean Job Discussion Forums

[.watermelon.]

sorry to sound like a broken record but i'd like to ask a few questions to the veteran posters.

1. is it possible to get couple housing if my boyfriend and i want to work for a public schools near/around seoul?

2. my boyfriend and i are both korean american, should we just tell everyone we're married to avoid the criticisms of living together? are hakwons more accepting?

3. when should i start applying for smoe, gepik, & epik if i want to start in sept 2009?

4. is http://www.teflonline.net a reputable site for me to get my tefl certificate?

5. if i finish my tefl certificate before i start accept a contract, will i start off on a higher pay?

6. how much should i save to hold me over the first month?

7. should i go through a recruiting site such as korvia to get a public school job or just apply on my own?

[Ya-ta Boy]

1. Yes, couple housing is possible. At least some places will see it as a way to save money. Since the school will be renting only one place, you may be able to negotiate for a piece of the housing money they are saving.

2. Hmmm...on the one hand, it would save hassles to lie and tell everyone you are married. I suppose you could say you are married but haven't had the ceremony yet. Koreans would accept that. On the other hand, how do you feel about spending a year remembering to lie?

6. Most people live comfortably on 1/2 their salary (around W1 million). You'd probably need more for settling in expenses...so maybe W1.5? (You can certainly get by on half that or less, but to be comfortable...)

[.watermelon.]

thanks for the info