Korean Job Discussion Forums

[yjo086]

I have a contract with GEPIK and while I think the school seems pretty good, I'm not sure if I trust my recruiter. I would be working in Paju at Yongmi Elementary School and I just want to hear anybody else's experiences with GEPIK. Good or Bad, I will take all in consideration: More specifically what your experiences with working, your apartment (definitely that please) and any other tidbits of information concerning GEPIK would be most helpful.

My recruiter is with WorknPlay by the way, if anyone has anything to say about them too, holla!

[Morgen]

I doubt that any two people have had the same experience, even at the same school. It's a crapshoot. What has your recruiter said that you're skeptical about?

[yjo086]

Well, mainly when I ask her questions about my apartment or specifically what am I going to have in it. It seems like she avoids the question. I just emailed her yesterday and asked her straight out (since the other times I was just dropping subtle hints) so if I don't hear a response from her by Monday, I going to have some issues...

I think the school is good, I think the recruitment agency is okay, I'm not sure about my recruiter...am I just being a noob?

[Tux]

Morgen is right: A PS job is just a crapshoot like anything else. If your recruiter is evasive when you ask about the apartment then you can assume one of two things - that it's small, or that the school hasn't found anything suitable yet and therefore doesn't know exactly what will be provided.

You can assume that they will provide everything that can be fitted inside the apartment which really only raises a question on whether or not you can fit a dining room table.

My apartment at my first school was a reasonable size. The one I'm on now is a shoe box but I knew that before I signed the contract. One room apartments are small but you get used to them. If your single and only have a couple of suitcases of stuff then how much space do you really need?

Some of the remarks on this forum suggest that GEPIK schools do generally provide better accommodation than SMOE. I have never heard of anyone under GEPIK ending up in an accommodation co-op so be greatful of that.

[andrewchon]

If you are going to Yongmi Elementary I doubt you'll live near the school. I doubt you'll want to either. It is stuck between cemetery, steep mountains and a couple of golf courses (private). Have you asked for the previous NET's contact? He/she can tell you about the apartment, if there was one. If you are the lead-off hitter for the school's ESL program (looks like a small school, very probable) then the school is waiting for your arrival so that you can choose where to live. If that's the case then the furnishings will be purchased on your approval as well. Don't expect luxury. As for the recruiter, they don't usually know about specifics of the furnishings. They just know that all the necessary items are there. In all the jobs in my job search, photographs of the apartment was provided one in about 10. You'll probably want to live in Goyang down south, closer to Seoul. You got a rural gig: more money and more vacation!

[yjo086]

Well, that's good to hear. I sought of figured that maybe the school didn't do anything yet and my recruiter simply just doesn't know, however, I would rather she just say that than nothing at all!

So it seems that GEPIK has a pretty good track record in placing teachers in reasonable accommodations...

Has anyone ever had any major problems with GEPIK?

[Julius]

If you're in country, definitely have an interview and look round the school before you sign any contract. It'll give you a far better idea of where you stand.

if you're outside the country then try access the schools website to have a look. All GEPIK Schools have their own websites I've noticed with pictures of your future co-workers, classrooms, etc. Very helpful. You can get this by a simple google search using the Korean spelling of your school.

[valkerie]

[monkeyteacher]

I taught for GEPIK from Dec. 2007 to Dec.2008 and my apt. was quite nice and spacious. However, I kept hearing from the Korean teachers that the previous NET complained about his apt. a lot. (It was a different apt.) Generally, I liked working for GEPIK. It just didn't end very well. You can e-mail me if you want details <[email protected]>

[yjo086]

Thanks everyone!

[monkeyteacher]

I don't have enough posts to PM, so please use my e-mail addy 2 posts above <[email protected]> and I will get back with you reasonably soon if you'd more details re: my year teaching for GEPIK. Thanks.

[monkeyteacher]

I accidentally deleted an e-mail from someone with the initials D.L., who was wondering about returning to Korea to teach for GEPIK instead of a hakwon. So, could you please resend your message? I'd be glad to answer it. <[email protected]>