Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stellarsky627]

Hey,

Has anyone done both GEPIK AND EPIK? I know there are a few contractual differences such as pay, and the biggest difference is location preference. But I wonder what other differences there are? Has anyone done both and preferred one over the other?

It looks like a ton of people are applying for EPIK, but no one seems to applying to GEPIK? Why not?

[big_fella1]

I did here that GEPIK has a lot more funding for foreigners so they need more teachers.

Possibly GEPIK charging a w900,000 security deposit is a turnoff. I am an F2 with my own housing and you want to hold w900,000 of my money because???

If GEPIK would scrap the stupid deposit I would go there, as you can be quite close to Seoul but have the advantage of not being there. Until the deposit goes though, I won't work for them.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[stellarsky627]

Aside from the deposit, are there any other advantages or disadvantages in regards to EPIK vs. GEPIK???

Was your apartment nicer in EPIK or GEPIK? Etc. Thanks!

[lifeinkorea]

EPIK covers more area, so you are more likely to be sent out to the mountains to teach. At least with GEPIK, you can say fairly close to Seoul.

I wouldn't go past a Suwon radius though.

[stellarsky627]

Thanks for that advice. I just wonder besides the location difference (and 900,000 deposit) if there is anything different between GEPIK and EPIK.

[oldfatfarang]

I didn't apply for GEPIK because they've had some bad press on Daves for a few years. Not sure if they've cleaned up their act.

[ThingsComeAround]

I was under the impression that EPIK also had a security deposit...

Why not get both contracts and go from there?

[creeper1]

THere is a very simple and logical reason why GEPIK make people pay 900,000 deposit.

Teachers in the past have run up huge gas and electric bills before pulling a runner leaving the school with the liabilities.

Also some teachers in the past totally trashed their apartments.

Have a problem with the deposit? Blame those who went before us.

[big_fella1]

[creeper1]

[lifeinkorea]

I don't see a problem with the security deposit. They want 1 month's rent. Even if you get your own place, they still need to get a place for someone if you leave. The new teacher won't pay 900,000 before their third month. They pay 300,000 each month. Notice, this is the same amount as the settlement allowance.

Month 1 - You get 300,000
Month 1 - School deducts 300,000 for first security deposit deduction

The school doesn't want to lose money on the deal, and they hang on to 600,000 which is about the cost of one month's rent. I can't really find an argument against this. The pros here outweigh the cons.

You also get a furnished apartment which has well over 200,000 won worth of stuff. When I moved in everything was new. I had to peel off the wrapping for everything, including 4 kitchen cabinets and 2 big closet things for shoes or other stuff.

I got the money back before my last day of work. The question I think then is, who has been screwed or are we just complaining about the process?

I don't know any employer back in the US that would buy a new bed, tv, fridge, etc... for my apartment. I don't know many landlords either that wouldn't ask for 1 month's security deposit.

Oh, I forgot the BIG ONE. I don't know any other country where they would just pay your rent for you for 11 months. If you are complaining about the security deposit, then consider it your last month's rent. You are still ahead by 11:1 not having to pay rent. Like I said, I got my 900,000 won back, so I got 12:0.

I would complain more about them doing nothing to keep the killer mosquitoes out. They just leave the windows open all summer instead of installing screen windows. I tried to explain this concept to them and they couldn't picture a door that lets air in but keeps bugs out.

[Sody]

Keep in mind that the deposit doesn't apply to ALL teachers, just most of them. There are exceptions to the rule although for the most part you should expect to pay the deposit. You will get the deposit back no problem.

Also keep in mind that EPIK has more complaints on the Internet forums, because they have been around longer. GEPIK is now bigger from what I understand and part of the problem is that they grew or expanded too quickly without learning from the mistakes the other organizations made (SMOE and EPIK). You would think they would of learned something, but no they didn't.