Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jychoi]

1) best cities in Gyeongbuk province
So I've been accepted in to EPIK. Good news and bad news, I really hoped to get on the program but have been placed in Gyeongbuk which isn't my 1st,2nd or 3rd choice. (I suspect they don't really care as long as you put "willing to relocate")----which I wrote down just so that I didn't want to miss a chance to be accepted but specifically told the interviewer "non-rural cities". Anyway, if anyone is living there, would you care to share your experience there!

2) Housing
Take the housing allowance of 400,000 won per month to find my own housing or take provided housing? (if i'm not satisfied with it)

3)18 days paid holiday. Teachers required to be in school during vacations even if there is no class.
I heard some people get 4 weeks off or something? Anyone care to explain this? Also, my parant demand me return back to the UK for my graduation ceremony. The contract says I can take holidays dring the vacation period. i will need to leave during term time (late Nov-Dec). Would it be safe to sign my contract now and be reassured that given that I negotiate with the school in advance, they'll let me leave?


Thanks!

[afsjesse]

I'm in Gyeongbuk. I enjoy it, it's pretty and pretty close to most things depending one where you are.

1. Best cities I think are Gumi (close to Daegu), Gyeongju (Ancient Shilla capital), Andong (Hahoi Mask/Dance Festival, Confucian history), Uljin where I am, if you like rural landscapes and hot spas.

2. Take the housing if this is your first year. Most places require a 전세 (sp?) or a fairly large deposit of 2-10+ million won depending on the area.

3. Vacation depends on the school. In my case I get the contractual minimum. My friend however has gotten 7 weeks this year.

Suerte,

J.

[jychoi]

Thank you afsjesse for your reply.

Do you have any pictures or could you recommend me some sites where I could see some information on those cities? (I've only seen a few on the Gyeongsangbuk-do website but they don't offer much perspective!)

Will there be a chance to negotiate with the POE on particular cities during/after the orientation? I didn't put down Seoul as my first choice; preferably I'd like to be near main transport links so it's convenient to get around locally/to seoul etc and also where there offers some entertainment (nice shopping districts, bars, something for a 22yr old . I don't mind if it's a little far, not too heavily congested, and yes i'm a fan of nature and spas (so long as its not in the middle of nowhere if you know what I mean!)

Your contractual minimum is I presume the 18 days paid? What are you supposed to do when there are no classes during the vacation? Also, the contract doesn't say about this, will I be able to ask and get it down in writing with the POE regarding this vacation?