Korean Job Discussion Forums

[misher]

Hello,

I have been a lurker on this site for quite some time and I finally created an account to ask some questions about studying the Korean language and living costs. I have checked out every single possible thread in the FAQ section and have used the search function to help me get all of the information that is needed. After all of this I still have a few questions and if anyone can help me out that would be great.

I have been an ESL teacher in Vancouver for the last 3 years ( I have a CELTA and a BComm/Finance degree) and would like to come to Seoul to learn Korean. After doing the research it looks like Sogang's program would be the right fit for me. My concern is living costs. I would like to live in a Ha Sook Jib near the university (any recommendations for a good one?) and have been told that a rooms costs about 400-500k Won per month. Does this include enough Korean food to get by on each day? I'm not too big on partying but would a budget of 800k Won (including rent/board) be realistic? That leaves about 300-400k a month to play around with. I'm not looking to travel much but just plunk my ass down and study.

Most of my friends call me crazy but to each their own I say. Anyway, is 800k per month possible? Grand total I would need about $15,000 CAD. I would like to reach level 4 (study 4 semesters).

Is it also possible to teach while on a student VISA? I was told that after 6 months that it is possible for students to teach English but that was jsut hearsay. I guess I should contact the South Korean consulate. Anyway thanks for the help!

misher.

[earthbound14]

You should contact ililnine, he might have some good advice.

As for me, I haven't gone the student route. thought about it.

Sogang is a good choice. Sogang also offers teaching positions with discounts on Korean lessons. Sogang doesn't pay as much as they should but with the very cheap Korean program it is really worth it. This way you are legal to work and getting your Korean studies.

other people work evening Hogwon jobs (get one with the least amount of hours nearish to your uni of choice). You can study full time during the day and work at night. I did this for a while. I found it hard to study enough, but then I lived far away and spent too much time commuting everyday (hence living close to school and work). if I had lived near campus I could have studied an extra 2 hours a day.

the third option is to get your student visa (which can be renewed in the country) a C visa (not sure of the number). You are not legal to work but many students do. I think the police turn a blind eye to this for the most part but you won't want to abuse this luxury. I had a friend who finished the entire Sogang program while working on his student visa. it was a no legal but he now speaks Korean far better than I do. I'm jealous.
If you get your student visa you may only extend your visa for as long as your tuition has been paid for (you pay for one term then your visa is for one term).

What ever you do though you should be able to study, work, live and play here with minimal expenses, if any (once all is said and done). Many people are able to set aside some cash while studying....provided they work enough.

Good luck

[undauntedoh]

first off, i am glad to hear that you would like to try to learn the language.

second of all, as someone advised, it could be better to get a teaching gig first and then study the languagne on the side. that's just me.

of course you can be a student and thus spending 5-6 hours on study while teaching 'illiegally" on the side. but then it seems that you might go thru some financial trouble. in particular, if you live in seoul, you would spend at least 400-500 u.s. dollars a month. but if you teach, then you will get free housing, which will shed some financial burden off your back.

anyways, if you would like to learn the language and do some teaching on the side, stay out of Seoul. I'd recommend Suwon!! (well i am biased, coz i live in suwon LOL) but in suwon there is a local college where you can learn the language from 9am-1pm for peanuts. and you can get some teaching gigs at local insitutions although it is not legit. or you can teach in the afternoon and in the evening and take korean class in the morning. then, your life would be sooo hectic by juggling two things at a time :)
well i'd say it's worth it.

at any rate, if you have further questions, let me know.

[misher]

Thanks for the reply earthbound.


I'm not really concerned about working once I am there. I worked in China for a year in in Finance and when I tried to learn Chinese on the side I found it impossible. I just had no energy. I'm determined to study Korean full-time without any job on the side I'm just concerned that the rent for a Ha sook jib room + spending money will exceed my alllowance of 800k Won per month. All I want to do is go to class (the 4 hour mon-fri option) study and make Korean friends. I can try to get a job afterwards if I feel like I have learned enough Korean to get to an intermediate level.

Thanks again for the advice

misher

[misher]

I guess I'm kind of like the opposite of many people that go to Korea to teach and save money. I'm looking to learn the language and that's it. I'm saving money here in Canada to do it. After I finish a year of studying then I will look for a teaching contract in South Korea. I just can't study and work at the same time. Some people can do it. Heck, some people can self-study AND work AND become very proficient at whatever foreign language. I'm just not one of those people.


Undaun,

Thanks for the reply but I can't get a job first and then learn the language. To each their own I guess but when I arrived in China I was completely overwhelmed. If I had a good 3-6 months before starting my job to sit down and study hard IN CHINA I would have been a lot more comfortable with everything.

[the_beaver]

[undauntedoh]

I see. Well, one last thing~ I would steer clear of Seoul in order for you to be bombarded with nothing but Korean language and people. The rationale is the further you are away from Seoul, the faster you will pick up the language because there are simply so many foreigners in Seoul and those sucking up to americans or canadians to learn the language. For example, Suwon!! Well, like I said before, Ajou University has a korean language center and if you signed up, you get a free dorm as well.
I can not recall how much exactly the program costs, but it was, as far as a I can tell, 1,000,000 won. and I would not say that the program is as competitive as that of Yeonsei, or Sogang, but the class is given in 100 Korean and is full of chinese students. this might be conducive to your learning in that you will have to try to use the language in lieu of communicating with english speaking people all the time. I know that it is like that up in Sogang or Yonsei, i was told that they have too much foreigners there..anyways, I would strongly recommend Suwon!! You can PM me if you need further info:)

[Bramble]

Just curious, but why is it that some people spell "visa" in all-caps? I never understood that ...

[misher]

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]

[Bryan]

I live here fine on 500,000W + free apartment, and about w160,000 of that per month is wrestling training that most wouldn't spend on. I also eat a certain diet that is only fruit, meat, and vegetables, so I'm not sitting at home just eating ramen. And I go out a tonne, but I never drink so it stays cheap.

That doesn't include my tuition though.

I'd say your budget is possible.

[Bryan]

[misher]

[misher]

Oh yeah and if anyone knows about Sogang's nationality makeup that woul dbe great. From the research that I have done I'm under the impression that the first 3 levels are made up largely of anglophone students (who are teaching in as well) but once you get to the higher levels, Chinese/Japanese students make up the majority of the class. Does anyone have any insight on this?

[CA-NA-DA-ABC]