Korean Job Discussion Forums

[livingthedream]

Does does anybody have know exactly what are criteria for schools paying , " rural allowance'?

I'm at a school in the countryside in Gyeonggi that is 40-50mins by bus from my home. There's nowhere to live near the school as there's no accomodation nearby.......

Would appreciate any help........

[kprrok]

Here's an idea...ask your boss if it's rural.

Another question...what exactly does it mean to be at a school that is "40-50 minutes from the school?" That part is a bit confusing.

[Fox]

[livingthedream]

Thanks for that Fox. I thought there must be some criteria for rural allowance, but I guess not. I was asking just so I could be informed before asking the school. It's always better to know where you stand before asking.

[Zeeto]

[oldfatfarang]

I have the same problem. Last year I lived in a small rural town, and I received the Rural Allowance. It was only 20 mins by train, or 30 mins by express bus, from a major city. This town wasn't wasn't isolated at all.

Imagine my surprise when I got to my new school. It's isolated, and on a mountain, in a really rural village. There are cows on the main street sometimes. I even saw a cow pulling a cart last week, and twice a week the main streets are turned into a huge open market.

My school couldn't (read wouldn't) find me 'suitable' accommodation in my rural village, so I have to commute to a nearby major city. I spend 2 to 2 + 1/2 hours a day commuting (waiting, busing, walking).

I don't get the Rural Allowance, and the POE has refused to pay it. I made a formal case, and requested a transfer. The POE had lots of smiley apologetic excuses why they wouldn't pay, but they wouldn't budge. In the end, the district supervisor brushed me off with the Korean management tactic of criticising me (that means "go away, we are not going to help you").

This unfortunate situation has soured my relationship with my school, the POE, and ruined what could have been a wonderful year at this school. I'm cut off from other GET's now, as I'm not allowed to go to any GET meetings etc (where the District Supervisor is obviously dodging me).

I'd suggest you drop your case to get a Rural Allowance. You won't get it, and your efforts won't make your year a happy one. Basically, I think not paying these Rural Allowances is just another case of 'Bait and Switch', whereby a Korean employer doesn't follow through on advertised benefits.

Good luck.

PS: I can't describe why the school couldn't find me 'suitable' accommodation yet , but I will post this situation in full at the end of my contract.

[Fox]

[Fox]

[southernman]

I'm with EPIK and was promised a rural allowance at last years August Orientation.

I rang the same Supervisor who had promised me to see where it was. She admitted to me that she had told me I'd be getting a rural allowance but that a head Accountant had said I wouldn't, so no allowance, she said until this March, It still hasn't arrived.

My accomadation costs 500 000 Won which is 100 000 Won more than it should. So I think the accountant has just deducted my rural allowance to balance the books. That said Geoje Do is considered a City by the Education board.

As my VP, Co-teacher and I said in ph calls to the Supervisor I live 7k's from my nearest school and 7 k's from the nearest Supermarket, in opposite directions. I agree with aprevious poster its left a very sour taste in my mouth and I'm probably out of here when my contracts up.

I was told early on by a Korean friend that the POE Supervisor was just lying to me about getting the rural allowance, she was right.... and I'm a fool for believing the Supervisor's BS

[oldfatfarang]

[wylies99]

GEPIK and EPIK should post the list of rural schools/areas on their websites. Problem solved.

[oldfatfarang]

[jvalmer]

[oldfatfarang]