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prairiegirl81
Joined: 07 Jan 2009
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 Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:19 am Post subject: GEPIK - EPIK confusion, please help! |
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Hello,
Like so many other posters on this board, my husband and I decided last year that we would like to move to Korea to teach. We started early and have been basically researching and then applying since Sept. 2008. Well, now it has gotten quite late (we plan to leave in March, have given apt. notice, etc.) and we find ourselves without jobs!
To make a long story shorter, we went with a recommended recruiter and then found them to be confusing (the main contact speaks English as a second language) and not exactly forthcoming about the process. In a panic last week we also applied to ESL Planet and have found them to be more than helpful and able to shed some light on this whole process.
Here's the problem:
-the first recruiter who has our forms for an application to GEPIK seems to have promised us a job through GEPIK at a school in Yeoju. However, we haven't spoken to anyone on the phone at the school yet and haven't even submitted the contracts. (they're in the mail to the recruiter today)
-meanwhile we have been working with ESL Planet and have a phone appt. set up next week for schools in Cheonan.
I've read that you submit all of your documentation for GEPIK first and then they offer you a job - at a school of their choosing. Is it possible for recruiters to have direct lines to specific schools? Is it possible that we really do have a position here? The recruiter wants to set us up on a phone interview with the Korean co-teacher, is this common? Do they have really any sway in what happens at the school?
Also, once they have our GEPIK documents (including the signed contract) does that mean that we are obligated to go there? Is the contract binding and will it get us in trouble if we decide to go to Cheonan or some other EPIK location?
I realize this is a long post, full of newbie questions, but any help at all would be much appreciated.  |
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uhfotis
Joined: 01 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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In my experience the recruiters for epik do not have any direct connection to the schools. The recruiters go to the board of ed. the board of ed. goes to the schools. Its very possible that you have a position there, otherwise they wouldn't have offered your a position, sent you a contract and had you sign it. I can't imagine them going through all that if you didn't have a position. I didn't speak to my co-teacher on the phone but if they have a co-teacher for you to interview with they must have a position for you that they're trying to fill. As for sway who knows, probably at least a bit if you really mess the interview up.
The contract is theoretically binding but I have no idea about getting in trouble or breaking it before it starts or anything along those lines. |
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Jandar
Joined: 11 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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What Happened to the EPIK website?
http://epik.knue.ac.kr/
I get this message.
Bad Request (Invalid Hostname) |
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prairiegirl81
Joined: 07 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:39 pm Post subject: Update |
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Some updates since my original post.
We searched the particular school on Dave's and found a thread where another couple said they got the same position at the same school!
Our recruiter asked us if we want them to book us an airplane ticket!
Very confusing, they both seem to point in different directions. Do we have this job or not? Opinions? |
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Jandar
Joined: 11 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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If they are offering you a ticket you have the job.
Did they send you the visa authorization number?
Everything happens kind of fast and last minute,
you will find this to be part of the bali bali culture.
Don't fly without the Visa authorization number,
there's plenty of time to sort that out.
I'm assuming you're looking at a March 1st start date.
Public School I think is best for a first time job,
once you get settled in and adjust to your neighborhood
and school things should be relatively smooth. |
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champagne@caviar
Joined: 08 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: GEPIK - EPIK confusion, please help! |
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| prairiegirl81 wrote: |
Hello,
Like so many other posters on this board, my husband and I decided last year that we would like to move to Korea to teach. We started early and have been basically researching and then applying since Sept. 2008. Well, now it has gotten quite late (we plan to leave in March, have given apt. notice, etc.) and we find ourselves without jobs!
To make a long story shorter, we went with a recommended recruiter and then found them to be confusing (the main contact speaks English as a second language) and not exactly forthcoming about the process. In a panic last week we also applied to ESL Planet and have found them to be more than helpful and able to shed some light on this whole process.
Here's the problem:
-the first recruiter who has our forms for an application to GEPIK seems to have promised us a job through GEPIK at a school in Yeoju. However, we haven't spoken to anyone on the phone at the school yet and haven't even submitted the contracts. (they're in the mail to the recruiter today)
-meanwhile we have been working with ESL Planet and have a phone appt. set up next week for schools in Cheonan.
I've read that you submit all of your documentation for GEPIK first and then they offer you a job - at a school of their choosing. Is it possible for recruiters to have direct lines to specific schools? Is it possible that we really do have a position here? The recruiter wants to set us up on a phone interview with the Korean co-teacher, is this common? Do they have really any sway in what happens at the school?
Also, once they have our GEPIK documents (including the signed contract) does that mean that we are obligated to go there? Is the contract binding and will it get us in trouble if we decide to go to Cheonan or some other EPIK location?
I realize this is a long post, full of newbie questions, but any help at all would be much appreciated. |
I'm in the same situation, not to worry. My recruiter offered me a job with GEPIK at a specific school before I sent the signed contract to Seoul. I'm still waiting on GEPIK to send a confirmation letter so that i can get my visa. My recruiter said it may take until the 1st or 2nd week of February before I receive this letter, at which time I'm to go to the consulate and get my visa sorted. I'm sure they wouldn't assign you a school arbitrarily without having the position assigned to you. At least, I'm hoping that's the case.  |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 1:22 am Post subject: |
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| Are these recruiters being honest? |
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maingman
Joined: 26 Jan 2008
Location: left Korea
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 4:31 am Post subject: , |
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Jandar
www.epik.go.kr
any goood ? |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:44 am Post subject: |
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| Public schools don't send prepaid tickets. There is so many jobs and so many recruiters. It should take about a week to get a good job offer. |
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TpaK
Joined: 11 Nov 2008
Location: USA Virginia
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:59 am Post subject: |
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| Anyone know when the GEPIK orientation is? |
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English Matt
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:55 am Post subject: Re: GEPIK - EPIK confusion, please help! |
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| prairiegirl81 wrote: |
Hello,
Like so many other posters on this board, my husband and I decided last year that we would like to move to Korea to teach. We started early and have been basically researching and then applying since Sept. 2008. Well, now it has gotten quite late (we plan to leave in March, have given apt. notice, etc.) and we find ourselves without jobs!
To make a long story shorter, we went with a recommended recruiter and then found them to be confusing (the main contact speaks English as a second language) and not exactly forthcoming about the process. In a panic last week we also applied to ESL Planet and have found them to be more than helpful and able to shed some light on this whole process.
Here's the problem:
-the first recruiter who has our forms for an application to GEPIK seems to have promised us a job through GEPIK at a school in Yeoju. However, we haven't spoken to anyone on the phone at the school yet and haven't even submitted the contracts. (they're in the mail to the recruiter today)
-meanwhile we have been working with ESL Planet and have a phone appt. set up next week for schools in Cheonan.
I've read that you submit all of your documentation for GEPIK first and then they offer you a job - at a school of their choosing. Is it possible for recruiters to have direct lines to specific schools? Is it possible that we really do have a position here? The recruiter wants to set us up on a phone interview with the Korean co-teacher, is this common? Do they have really any sway in what happens at the school?
Also, once they have our GEPIK documents (including the signed contract) does that mean that we are obligated to go there? Is the contract binding and will it get us in trouble if we decide to go to Cheonan or some other EPIK location?
I realize this is a long post, full of newbie questions, but any help at all would be much appreciated. |
GEPIK schools are often so desperate to obtain a NET that they lose patience with the bureaucracy that is the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education and decide to recruit for themselves directly via a recruiter. I went through ESL Planet and Walter liaised directly between myself and the school I was placed at. I had no contact with the school prior to arrival, however Walt was able to provide me with details such as the school's name and location which were all true to life.
Can't speak about EPIK or other recruiters though I'm afraid. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:48 am Post subject: Re: GEPIK - EPIK confusion, please help! |
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| prairiegirl81 wrote: |
Hello,
Like so many other posters on this board, my husband and I decided last year that we would like to move to Korea to teach. We started early and have been basically researching and then applying since Sept. 2008. Well, now it has gotten quite late (we plan to leave in March, have given apt. notice, etc.) and we find ourselves without jobs!
To make a long story shorter, we went with a recommended recruiter and then found them to be confusing (the main contact speaks English as a second language) and not exactly forthcoming about the process. In a panic last week we also applied to ESL Planet and have found them to be more than helpful and able to shed some light on this whole process.
Here's the problem:
-the first recruiter who has our forms for an application to GEPIK seems to have promised us a job through GEPIK at a school in Yeoju. However, we haven't spoken to anyone on the phone at the school yet and haven't even submitted the contracts. (they're in the mail to the recruiter today)
-meanwhile we have been working with ESL Planet and have a phone appt. set up next week for schools in Cheonan.
I've read that you submit all of your documentation for GEPIK first and then they offer you a job - at a school of their choosing. Is it possible for recruiters to have direct lines to specific schools? Is it possible that we really do have a position here? The recruiter wants to set us up on a phone interview with the Korean co-teacher, is this common? Do they have really any sway in what happens at the school?
Also, once they have our GEPIK documents (including the signed contract) does that mean that we are obligated to go there? Is the contract binding and will it get us in trouble if we decide to go to Cheonan or some other EPIK location?
I realize this is a long post, full of newbie questions, but any help at all would be much appreciated. |
-Established recruiters, familiar with foreigners, will know that you expect to have routine contact. Email the recruiter and ask if there are any openings yet. No contact usually means that nothing is available and perhaps you should find another recruiter.
-You will have to press the desire to talk to someone at the school upon your recruiter. Some schools will request an interview but may wave it if you are coming from overseas.
-A school that interviews you may be a good sign. Be sure to ask if you will be paid overtime for camps (some schools do do this), if you have to come in during school vacations (seat warming, some schools don't require this), and other things you think are pertinent.
-It is possible for recruiters to have direct lines to schools, but not all recruiters do.
-The contract is the only binding document in Korea, whereas, an application form is not binding. You need a contract and then you have to wait for a visa conformation number before you can get your visa. Only then can you come over on anything other than a tourist's visa. You get a tourist's visa at the airport in Korea but E-2 visa's cannot be obtained in Korea. |
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