Korean Job Discussion Forums

[.res.ipsa.loquitor]

Hey folks,

Well I can't believe I'm in Korea so soon - it's been less than a month since I accepted my position, and here I am. It's a private international school job, a particularly good one, I think (at least in terms of benefits - but some would say they're all pretty much the same).

Everything's going alright, I managed to make all my connecting flights, and endured the last crazy 14-hour one across the Pacific.

So I'm here sitting in the apartment they assigned to me, more than a little sleep deprived. I was told that the school owner will be by in a few hours to greet me and take me to the school

Problem is, I'm at all not impressed with the room they gave me. It is small, but I was expecting small. I've seen videos of my friends' apartments in Seoul, and many many on Youtube. The places are generally very compact, but new, modern and "cozy" with built-ins, electronic locks, hall cameras, etc.

This place is old - c. 1979, with no updates. Everything is worn, The walls are dirty, the floor is just fake-hardwood linolium flooring laid sloppily on concrete (it's bubbled and stretched), the bathroom has mold, but worst of all the two sizable windows are both blocked off by adjacent brick walls, so no natural light gets in. Somebody has tried to cheer the place up by sticking giant stickers of flowers all over the place - it hasn't worked.

The main room has one of those funny Korean rooms with a sliding door off it, where people generally have their washing machines and dry clothes - here, the kitchen is built into it. The cabinets are all worn, and everything is old, ghetto, and generally depressing.

Has anyone here had success with complaining about accommodations? I don't want to make a bad impression - I've barely been in the country six hours. The school owner will be by in a few hours to bring me to the school. Should I confront him with this right away, or should I leave this alone for a day or two. What exactly should I say? I can't spend a year in this dump!

God I'm exhausted! Almost 48 hrs without sleep. I'm taking a nep; when I wake up in a couple of hours, I want all my problems to be solved. LOL! Seriously though, your thoughts and comments would be very much appreciated!

Thanks!

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Tell you employer that the housing is simply not acceptable. If he doesn't rectify the situation immediately, you will walk. Don't let them put you off, that will be their counter. Oh, next month, two months is what they will say. You will surely be screwed then. Insist on new housing within the week at latest.

[sarbonn]

Sometimes, the places just aren't that great. My apartment is okay, but my bed is horrible. I can't really figure out how to fix this because even though I'd be willing to buy a new bed, I haven't been able to figure out how to get a shop to deliver it (yeah sounds really stupid, I know). I tried talking to my boss (because they secured the lease and ONLY they know the landlord, which is another problem of its own), but he speaks about two words of English, and they're never the same.

[Xuanzang]

i'm surprised. I expected better from a private international school. You need to get on their case and make it clear that the 70s dump isnt acceptable because of such and such reasons.

sarbonn: ACE bed, Sealy, even Costco would deliver a bed to your place

[lifeinkorea]

Where exactly are you in Korea? I have had similar problems. Word of advice, if you don't say something about it now, then months later they will never want to change things.

Is it a place you could live in with repairs and a few changes, or do you a need completely new place?

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Well, having no windows would do it for me.

[D.D.]

Having a decent place is important for your moods. I am usually very happy but my first year I had a very small place with neighbours that I could hear fighting and a bar with a patio outside my window that was open until 4am.

The day I move into my new place with a bedroom a small office and a quiet buliding my mood went back to normal.

Good luck I would say something right away. Some Koreans have away of testing how much crap you will take. They test to see if they can take advantage of you. Saying nothing about a bad place might mean that they give you more hours and late pay until you start to complain about it.

I have good work conditions because I demand it. Sometimes I feel like a jerk but standing up for yourself works in this world.

[Cstock]

I gotta say, that in Seoul, that's pretty standard sounding. Unless your school cares about you, most don't, they'll not understand why you're not happy, but they'll NEVER be caught dead sleeping in a place like the one they give you. Welcome to Korea.

[asams]

my coworker moved here a little over a month ago. They took him to his first apartment which was a subway stop away and apparently it was really crappy. He said it was really small, there was hardly any room to do anything, and he just couldn't see himself being boxed in like that. He stayed there for two nights until they found him a place to stay which is a little closer, and a lot nicer. The room is big and apparently there are a lot of foreigners living there. You would think the school hates him, but they were fine with it, and they got him a new place rather quickly.

The moral is you definitely shouldn't wait. And it can be done. Make it known that you aren't going to put up with bull and make them find a new place. Good luck. Let us know how it goes

[crosbystillsstash]

International schools usually give very good housing. Is yours real or a "Korean" one?

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

Probably a hagwan that teaches numerous languages. Remember, the op is a TEFLER virgin, if you will.

[.res.ipsa.loquitor]

Hey Jeff and others.

Haha, I wouldn't say I'm a TEFL virgin. I've taught in Rome and back home in Canada, but Korea virgin, yes.

I'm in one of the newer. affluent satellite cities of Seoul. Don't want to say which one, because I know some of my Korean colleagues read this website, and I don't want them to see me bitching on here

Yeah, little to no natural light is the kicker. I'm even a little prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (where not getting enough sunlight can effect my mood pretty dramatically, as one poster mentioned). I think everyone's mood is effected by lack of sunlight, to a certain extent.

I really want an officetel - I know they're tiny, but I actually like that.

[semi-fly]

If they fail to resolve the issue to your liking, shouldn't you be able to ask for a housing stipend? The only headache in that scenario would be finding an apartment on your own, etc.

[.res.ipsa.loquitor]

Yep. I can take the housing allowance. But it's only 300,000 per month, and real estate in this area is more expensive than average. I would almost certainly end up paying some out of my pocket. With the won as bad as it is, I can't really afford to do that.

[Zaria32]

Just remember to be firm, but pleasant. Know the broken record
technique? "I understand what you're saying, but I must have a better apartment by Wednesday" He says something and you respond, "Yes, I can see that's a problem but I need a better apartment by Wednesday." He says something, and you answer, "I hadn't thought of that, but I need a better apartment by Wednesday." etc. etc. It works.