Korean Job Discussion Forums

Skininho · Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Location: Belfast

So, myself and my wife have applied to EPIK as a couple. We were late in applying, and we just had our interview last night.

They implied that it was Chungbuk or nothing in terms of where we get sent, which is fair enough since we were late. We will still go with our original requests on the application form, and hope that by luck we get in somewhere we want to go (we would like to be in a Metropolitan area really).

My questions are, firstly, why is Chungbuk always the last left, is it really that bad? and secondly, if they do send us to Chungbuk, will it ruin our chances of ever getting an EPIK job if we turn it down? Should we turn it down? Or should we just go for it?

I should say that we were keen on going down the EPIK road rather than Private schools because we value the security in salary etc. Is Chungbuk so bad that we would be better off waiting on a Private School job, even with the potential pitfalls and traps in the Hagwon world?

Finally, we have all our documentation ready - if we send this off to EPIK, and then decide we don't want to go to Chungbuk, will they send it back? If not, I guess we'll have to pay for a whole new set of documents etc.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

Honestly I've never heard anything about EPIK Chungbuk, positive or negative. Try doing a search for Chungbuk on the site, you might find something.

OculisOrbis · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

It can be as good or bad as any other place. The people I know in Chungbuk all seem pretty satisfied with their jobs and conditions, but I'm sure there are some I dont know that aren't.

Chungbuk is a pretty big place and the placements can range from multiple small schools out in rice paddies to a single school with 1000+ students in a reasonably sized city complete with all the amenities. Depends on exactly where you are placed in the province and what kind of place you need to live in to be satisfied.

The main thing that will determine if the job is good or not are the principal and the main co-teacher at your school. Like any other placement, it's unpredictable and staff changes from year to year.

MalFSU1 · Joined: 27 Jan 2009

I live in Chungbuk province with my boyfriend and we really like it here.

guava · Joined: 02 Sep 2009

dirving · Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: South Korea

Bu Yeo Gun can be a tad bit undesirable. P.M. me for an overview of Bu Yeo Eup.

SeoulMan6 · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Location: Gangwon-do

Chungbuk has 2 cities: Cheongju and Chungju. The cities aren't Seoul, but they've got the big city conveniences.

There are plenty of foreign teachers who live and work and ENJOY living and working outside of Seoul, much to the dismay of those who live in Seoul. If you NEED to live in a New York / London / Tokyo style city that has lots to do, then go for Seoul. Otherwise I'd say take the nice EPIK jobs and enjoy the experience. Even if it's not to your liking, you've got each other and a year goes by pretty quickly.