Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Leith McGhee]

I was just looking for more information on EPIK Orientation at the end of Feb 2011.

Does the Orientation take place in one location, like the Japanese JET Orientation? Or does it take place in many different locations, closer to your placement?

What does the orientation consist of? Is it formal, etc? I do expect to 'suit-up' a bit during my first months in Korea...but am just curious as to how the orientation rolls.

Also, do EPIK teachers have a supervisor, someone who helps them establish (set up phone, bank, internet, etc...things that are difficult in a foreign country) themselves in Korea? Or is it basically just the teacher and the school they are assigned to?

Many thanks

[Boating3]

Orientation is in one location - but usually they split it into two or so groups by City/Province. So 6-8 province/cities will be at one location, and the other 6-8 at another. The locations are usually in Seoul/Incheon area.

Lots of lectures and Korean culture activities at orientation. People wear a lot of jeans at orientation, though the coordinators try to ask you to dress a little nicer than that - some listen, some don't. I would say plan to dress professionally on the day you meet your POE contact people (towards the end of orientation) and on the last day of orientation when you meet your coteacher. So I would plan two professional outfits, then casual/nice clothes/whatever you are comfortable with otherwise.

Your 'supervisor' is your main Korean co-teacher. Internet, phone, bank is all set up with them. EPIK sets you up with a 'temporary' bank account during orientation that you can use until you get a regular one set up with your co-teacher. You have to have your alien registration card before you can get your regular bank account, phone, internet, etc. You apply for your alien registration card the last day of orientation when you meet your coteacher, then it takes a couple weeks to get it.

[injuredeagle]

I would bring some nice clothes for the day you meet your teacher and maybe even the first full day but then casual the other days. I did business casual and I felt overdressed for all but the last day.

It's a pretty packed schedule so prepare for that and get your sleep.

I got a few other tips here:

http://alexpickett.com/2011/02/22/3-things-i-wish-i-knew-about-the-epik-orientation-for-future-english-teachers-in-south-korea/

[oldtactics]

injuredeagle, perhaps said advice would have been more useful before orientation rather than after?