Korean Job Discussion Forums

[j20kim]

has anyone signed up with GEPIK for the fall heard any news about an orientation? i'm about to sign and submit my GEPIK contract, and i haven't been informed of the orientation dates - that is, if there is an orientation. i emailed my recruiter, who sent me the contract, but haven't heard back yet.

many thanks in advance for any information.

[gdown]

I posted a reply because I am new to this forum and couldn't figure out how to create one, or maybe the system won't allow me yet?

Anyway, I am arriving August 10 and will need to put in some heavy foot-work to establish some contacts and find work. I am looking for public school work in or near Seoul (40 minutes train ride is ok). Can anyone drop any school names? I've bought a one-way ticket and from what my friend, who did this for 2 yrs, says, it's crazy-easy to find work, so that somewhat abates my anxiety about uprooting my life and moving to another country without a job.

Thanks for helping this newbie

[ThingsComeAround]

wow...

gdown u are supposed to find work BEFORE coming here...
yes it's easy. but there is alot of red tape involved for getting your visa.
Are you a gyopo (overseas Korean)? If so, you got it easy.

If you have no Korean blood, find work before paying for the plane ticket!!

[climber159]

gdown, unless you're on an F-series visa there is no reason you should come to Korea before finding work. I think the best thing to do is to get hired by a public school and spend your first year working that and doing your research on universities, reputable hagwons, or whatever else.

j20kim, good luck on getting any information from GEPIK in a timely manner. GEPIK is a disorganized mess. I hope you get lucky and are placed in a good school.

[j20kim]

climber159, is the orientation generally held after the semester starts? my recruiter said that orientation is usually mid september...

[climber159]

j20kim, yes. You'll be working for an organization that has you start teaching (maybe you have teaching experience, maybe you don't), then, a few weeks into your job you're supposed to travel to another town for 4 days/3 nights for training and orientation. GEPIK defies rationality.

[andrewchon]

j20kim

you sound like an american gyopo, get an F-4 visa you come over, do something to make sure you don't get drafted in K-Army the moment your feet touches Korean soil, don't worry about the orientation. If the O taught the newbi's all they need to know about teaching in Gyunggi PS system then it'll take about ... long enough for all of them to do runners.