Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rmo1127]

My wife and I have been in contact with Jayeon ESOL School for a few months now, and we finally received contracts today. We are supposed to keep them until the school decides on a couple of the terms. (I have also posted the contract for review in the appropriate thread http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=59265&start=2475 if anyone�s interested.) The two things we�re waiting to hear back about are the salary, which will be either 2.2 or 2.3, and which location we will be working at. The 3 locations are in Bo Jeong, Juk Jeon in Suji, or Dongtan, which is a new city near Suwon.

We won�t be leaving until early July�. is it unusual not to know such major details at this point? Also, does anyone have any experience with this school?

We requested to be placed at the Dongtan location. Anyone else live there? Been there? What do you think of the area?

[Captain Obvious]

You wanna konw FOUR months in advance??? What country do you think this is? They might finally let you know four hours in advance.

[lifeinkorea]

[Mr. BlackCat]

It's not unusual to not know these things 4 months out in Korea. I'm surprised that they even lined you guys up so far in advance. Really, everything is desperately last minute here and when I say 'get used to it' I don't mean it in a snide way. I just mean that it'll make your lives easier when you're here. I know it doesn't make sense, if they have people on 1 year contracts then why don't they know when/where they'll need people. But, like I said, things are different here. Personally, I don't like getting into agreements with people who are vague. Practically, that's almost all agreements in Korea. Actually, I'm surprised they didn't just lie to you about the location and then switch it on you upon arrival. I guess that counts for something. Yes, NOT blatantly lying is considered a plus here.

Really, though, you shouldn't feel rushed to find a job in Korea so early. Most jobs are listed at most a month before they start so you're not gaining anything by getting things done early. In Korea, being on top of things is not rewarded. Running around like a chicken with its head cut-off minutes before things need to be done? Yeah, that's more like it.

[rmo1127]

Yeah, I want to know as far in advance as possible. I don't know how long that normally is though. Please excuse me for not being the fountain of knowledge you must be. I'm posting questions because I'm trying to learn these things.

To the second guy: I know Dongtan is a relatively new city. Based on that, I assume the housing will be newer and more modern than in other areas. I found it on google earth and looked at every picture I could find, and I also spent quite a while trying to find out as much as possible... I couldn't find much in English. I also emailed a Korean friend from college(haven't heard back yet). I know a bit about the city, but I posted on here because I want to learn more. I did like the Milton remix though.


Does anyone have anything helpful or constructive to say?

[rmo1127]

[ThingsComeAround]

Yeah- BlackCat hit the nail on the head

I'd like to add that you may not actually be teaching in those areas. Four months in advance is EXTREMELY RARE which means by the time you and your wife get here, they may find a replacement.

Dongtan is near the army base (I believe) but you pretty much would want to be close to a subway. Osan is to your south, there is a hub of AF personnel, SEAsian workers, mountains, farms, and most importantly, a subway into Seoul.
When they say "new city", it usually doesn't mean things in the city are new. Ilsan is also a new city, however most of it looks just as run down as other places (outside of the Madu/Jeongbalsan area)

[cincynate]

I found out where I was teaching Monday morning at 8:30. My first class was supposed to be at 9. (I had arrived in Korea the weekend before). And I had a job through the Government. Hahah. Is it unusual not to let you know such a major detail. They don't tell you anything until its time. Not to be jerks, but that is the culture here too. My handler finds out things the same time I do.

[rmo1127]

To the last two posters, thanks for the input. I thought teachers were only allowed to work at the address listed on their visas... or is that just on the ARC? When and how are ARCs issued?


On a very unrelated note.... ThingsComeAround, do you happen to know which episode of Married with Children your icon is from?

[ThingsComeAround]

Cheers

The Gas Station Show
26 April 1992 (Season 6, Episode 23)

[rmo1127]

Isn't that the one where he suggests a car bra for Peg's mom? Hopefully Hulu's got it. Thanks