Korean Job Discussion Forums

[summer33ny]

I was afraid it would happen and was "assured" by my recruiter that couple's housing is always a one-bedroom apartment. So 5 months ago, we we were a bit surprised when we ended up in a tiny studio apartment here in rural Korea.

And if this was not bad enough, all the other foreigners in our town have 2-3 bedroom apartments. Even the single people.

At first we made some inquiries to our school... politely asking if we could possibly be moved to something "more comfortable" They assured us that housing in our location is hard to come by and said they would keep an eye out for anything. We kept checking in.. they kept telling us of different possible situations ("Oh your landlady asked if you would be interested in a 2-bedroom apartment that just opened up?"...)

5 months later.. we are still here. When we learned about the cost of our apartment from the landlady (300,000 won!) We instantly felt very angered that they would stick us in such a place and then "pocket" all the money allotted for 2 person housing. Why should we be at such a huge disadvantage for being a couple?!

My husband made an angry call to my co-teacher and demanded that something finally be done about this. That the school should either provide us with couple's housing or a housing subsidy, including all the back money for the 5 months that we have been here.

We then met with the Principal and Vice Principal and after they had spoken to the county education office and POE.. they told us very nicely that "No... we are not required to give you anything..." But they did offer to "keep an eye out for another apartment for us".......

Anyway-- I know there must be couples in similar situations equally as frustrated and I was wondering if any resolution was ever reached? How did you go about it? I know of one couple that were finally able to receive 200,000 per month compensation for the entire year.

Do most couples just stick it out?

Other than threatening to leave (which we don't really want to do as we have trips planned)... is there any further action to take? While we would prefer to live somewhere more suitable, it is the feeling of being taken advtange of that irritates us the most.

[njp6]

Is one of you collecting housing allowance?

[xingyiman]

Negotiate with your school to move you into a larger place. Cite the examples where, as you say, single teachers are living in multiple room apartments. My wife and I faced a similar situation about a year ago and I simply expressed (in a very kind and diplomatic manner) that our lives would be much easier if we had a larger apartment. The school moved us within 2 months as soon as they found a place for us.

[rayjoy]

My boyfriend and I stuck it out but it nearly ruined us when we first moved in... now we're just kind of used to it (not in the permanent sense, just knowing we have to get through it and life will be better when we leave).

We too were PROMISED couples housing. We argued and argued and argued when we got here... then they went ahead and just got my boyfriend a one-room apartment... and said they couldn't get out of it, either they get me a one-room too or we suck it up and pocket the housing allowance (which I hope you're getting!!!). I know of people in my city who live alone and have huge apartments. I complained--why would you put a couple in an area that "just doesn't any big enough housing"? No answer.

We've been here 11 months and we're definitely leaving after contract. We survived! But it did suck...

I heard rumors they were doing away with couples housing, that its too complicated to make everyone happy so they aren't even offering it anymore.

It might be worth it to keep at it or you might just suck it up, keep the money and move on at the end of the year.

[summer33ny]

Well the thing is that we are not getting any housing allowance.

So we are two people living in a studio and we have been refused couple's housing and a housing allowance.

You all seem surprised by this...so I assume all the couples in studios are getting housing allowances. How did you go about getting this? Because this is the problem we are facing now. And our school says that even though we have 2 contracts--they fulfilled their obligation to us because we both have a roof over our heads.

If we were getting a housing allowance then this would not even be a concern... we would consider the situation squared away. But that unfortunately, is not the case.

[oskinny1]

If it is so bad (which I imagine that it is) give your notice. You'll have worked your six months and not need to pay back airfare. They may freak out that 2 teachers are leaving and fold to your demands. Just be ready for them to call your bluff and start looking for new jobs and getting new documents ready.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

[The_Source]