Korean Job Discussion Forums

[loyfriend]

Would you give your elementary, middle or high school graduates gifts? The Semester is coming to an end. My semester ends next week. My school has about 180 third year students that will graduate.

Would it be strange if I gave them all 100,000 won scholarships? I assume most will go to universities, or some trade schools. In the USA we would give money to graduates.

What other gifts would peopel give or would be right to give students?

[pusky]

I think it would be weird and more of a show of wealth than a thoughtful gift. Maybe give out some candy on your last class with them and spend the $20k USD on a charity that can do more good than covering less than 1% of these kids' future university costs. The whole idea seems like an attention grab more than a good gift giving opportunity. Its really not necessary at all...

[Captain Obvious]

[Xuanzang]

[antoniothegreat]

i think a small show of kindness, like baking them cookies or buying them candy can be nice, but to give them money is quite strange.

did your teachers ever give you money?

if there are a few special students you really like, take them out for pizza or something, but dont tell other students, they will feel hurt you didnt invite them.

[The Goalie]

Weird. People are responding to this as though it were real. It couldn't possibly be. Could it?

[madoka]

[El Macho]

Taking select students out to lunch is a good idea (and one that Korean teachers I've worked with have done), but if you are male and any of the students are female, I'd be really careful about that. Hell, I'd be worried about taking male students out unchaperoned. Maybe you could take a select group along with a Korean teacher or two...

Also, books are always a good gift.

[jvalmer]

No need to buy graduation gifts. If anything, students might give teachers presents. Although, I've known homeroom teachers buying something like pizza for the class.

So, unless you're a homeroom teacher, no need to do anything.

[loyfriend]

I do admit their are a few students I like. And I wouldnt be against giving them 1-2M scolarships. But then other students or teachesr may get mad.

As for the money:
I hold a nonprofit license:

1. I have an agreement with St Viencient De Paul churches in teh USA for fundraisers and donations.

2. Korean Community Services in LA and orange county: They have money from koreans they help give services to in the USA. SOme of those peopel donate money.

LA Korean Console: I have a donation box there

I have contributed as well some grant money and unemployment checks as well.

I do have to spend some of the money by January 31st of next year. I dont want to give it to the YMCA or Boys and Girls clubs in Korea. I know how the agencies work.

[jvalmer]

If you really have the money to give out, talk to your school about it. Not sure how receptive they'd be, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. Usually at the graduation ceremony there is a lot of scholarships, from various businesses/people, that they give to students. Ranges from a lowly 100,000 to 1 million won. They usually give them to the brighter students, athletes and students that do extra-curricular work like charities.

[The Goalie]