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noobteacher
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
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 Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:13 am Post subject: Should I be afraid? (Random Gangwan-do Placement) |
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So, I've been working with a recruiter and one of the areas that they have availability for with the start date I need is in Gangwan-do. This, in and of itself, is great because I would love to be in that province, BUT they tell me its the kind of thing where you have no idea where you're being placed until you actually arrive in Korea!!!
The benefits are awesome (higher pay, plane ticket allowance, tons of vacation time), but the biggest thing is that this will be my first time in Korea and the fear of being completely in the dark until I get there is a bit terrifying!
Has anyone done this before or know people who have? I don't think I should really be considering it if it makes me this nervous, but I also don't want to miss out on something awesome. Help?!?! Advice?? |
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jhicks99
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:28 am Post subject: |
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Wow that's scary.
I think it's always prudent to talk at least one of the foreign teachers at the school you'll be working in ahead of time.
You may luck out, or it may be hell. |
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noobteacher
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:54 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah, that was the biggest thing...not being able to talk to teachers, find out about housing, etc. I think I've pretty much decided that I am just not going to do it, but I would still be interested in hearing stories from anyone who actually has done it. |
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morrisonhotel
Joined: 18 Jul 2009
Location: Gyeonggi-do
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Presumably this is a public school, OP? If it is, search around on the board. It's fairly normal to not know where you are going until you arrive in Korea (only if you are applying through EPIK or such like). If it's not a public school, then may be an idea to pass that one up. |
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Jessie41
Joined: 14 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject: |
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| noobteacher wrote: |
| Yeah, that was the biggest thing...not being able to talk to teachers, find out about housing, etc. I think I've pretty much decided that I am just not going to do it, but I would still be interested in hearing stories from anyone who actually has done it. |
I did it with no regrets. You may PM me if you want specifics, I don't want to discuss the details in a public forum.
It's only one year. After that you could go home, stay, go somewhere else in Gangwon-do, or go to Seoul. I didn't want to stay a second year, but I'm glad I had the experience. |
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oldtactics
Joined: 18 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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I did it too, with no regrets. Gangwon-do is an amazing place to live, regardless of where you get placed, and there are a lot of re-signers here so you're guaranteed to be near foreigners who can help you with anything you'll need.
Even if you get placed in a rural area, you're never more than a short bus ride away from the major cities. |
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noobteacher
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Jessie41 wrote: |
| noobteacher wrote: |
| Yeah, that was the biggest thing...not being able to talk to teachers, find out about housing, etc. I think I've pretty much decided that I am just not going to do it, but I would still be interested in hearing stories from anyone who actually has done it. |
I did it with no regrets. You may PM me if you want specifics, I don't want to discuss the details in a public forum.
It's only one year. After that you could go home, stay, go somewhere else in Gangwon-do, or go to Seoul. I didn't want to stay a second year, but I'm glad I had the experience. |
I would love to hear more about your experience, but can't PM yet 
So this really isn't as out of the ordinary as it sounds? Oldtactics, from your experience, what are the odds of being placed in BFE so to speak as compared to the "larger" cities in the region? |
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themagicbean
Joined: 04 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Gangwon-do is great but if your recruiter can't provide you with reverse references you should work with another recruiter. |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The benefits are awesome (higher pay, plane ticket allowance, tons of vacation time), but the biggest thing is that this will be my first time in Korea and the fear of being completely in the dark until I get there is a bit terrifying! |
Higher pay is not a benefit, it's what they must pay for sending you out in the boonies. The plane ticket isn't an allowance, it's part of the deal. They pay to fly you in, we all get it so it's not a perk. As far as tons of vacation time, that is a good thing. Many schools are clamping down on that. This means it could be taken away from you once you get here. Be prepared to accept a reality of no benefits. |
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noobteacher
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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| lifeinkorea wrote: |
| Quote: |
| The benefits are awesome (higher pay, plane ticket allowance, tons of vacation time), but the biggest thing is that this will be my first time in Korea and the fear of being completely in the dark until I get there is a bit terrifying! |
Higher pay is not a benefit, it's what they must pay for sending you out in the boonies. The plane ticket isn't an allowance, it's part of the deal. They pay to fly you in, we all get it so it's not a perk. As far as tons of vacation time, that is a good thing. Many schools are clamping down on that. This means it could be taken away from you once you get here. Be prepared to accept a reality of no benefits. |
What I meant by the plane ticket allowance was that the recruiter does the flat 2.6 mil for your ticket in and your ticket out, which means (depending on where you're coming from/going to) you could pocket at least a mil if not more. BUT, I do get where you're coming from. Technically the extra 100,000 a month is pretty negligible in the grand scheme of things, so I guess the "benefits" really aren't that great, if at all. |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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| I very much regretted going for a random placement in a different province. I got paid 100,000 more per month than the people in the nearest town, but I would have much rather been in town. It wasn't even a very good town. |
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nomad-ish
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Location: On the bottom of the food chain
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| Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:54 pm Post subject: |
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| i would be afraid, but then again, it all depends on your personality. |
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DebEVoyager
Joined: 21 Dec 2009
Location: currently USA, GA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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Aha! I just asked the same question in a different thread. I am very nervous about the random placement in Gangwong Do but also happy to hear some people who had a decent time.
I however have a hard time deciding if I really want to toss the dice. |
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DebEVoyager
Joined: 21 Dec 2009
Location: currently USA, GA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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| noobteacher wrote: |
| Jessie41 wrote: |
| noobteacher wrote: |
| Yeah, that was the biggest thing...not being able to talk to teachers, find out about housing, etc. I think I've pretty much decided that I am just not going to do it, but I would still be interested in hearing stories from anyone who actually has done it. |
I did it with no regrets. You may PM me if you want specifics, I don't want to discuss the details in a public forum.
It's only one year. After that you could go home, stay, go somewhere else in Gangwon-do, or go to Seoul. I didn't want to stay a second year, but I'm glad I had the experience. |
I would love to hear more about your experience, but can't PM yet
So this really isn't as out of the ordinary as it sounds? Oldtactics, from your experience, what are the odds of being placed in BFE so to speak as compared to the "larger" cities in the region? |
Yes, I can't PM either and am curious for an answer! |
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PeteMoses
Joined: 08 Sep 2009
Location: Scotland
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| Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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| I did it this way, and it worked out great. If you're coming from a big city it may be a shock, so ask yourself what you really want. If you're fine with a (relatively) small group of foreigners, and a pretty big adventure, then it's the way to go. If you want to meet new people every night and never learn how to ask for a beer in Korean, go to Seoul. Personally, I'm very happy in Gangwon. |
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