Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Iza_]

As of now I plan to leave in June of 2011 then living in South Korea for three months searching for a job starting in September. How much money do you think I will need to live comfortably for those three months, and another month (I am supposing) until I get paid? I do not plan to be living like a Queen or going out to the bar every night either. I have a year to plan and I do not want money to be an issue.

Thanks!

[balzor]

umm, find a job first.

[Iza_]

Even if I found a job before I left that started around September I would be living without any pay for about four months, so any estimate would be helpful!

[milspecs]

Do you already have the housing covered? Just the deposit alone is going to be high. Unless you plan on staying at a Goshiwon or Hasuk-Jib

[Iza_]

No I do not have housing covered. I do not know exactly what I am looking for either. I will know someone already living and teaching in S.Korea and he has offered me to live with him for those three months. But his apt. would be provided by his employer and I do not want to cause trouble with his boss. So this option as of now is not reliable.

Would a Goshiwon or Hasuk-Jib be recomendable for my situation? Hotel? Or try to find an apartment to live in while teaching and not accept housing from a potential employer? I just need some advice and an estimated cost of living.

[Captain Corea]

It's really city and area dependant.

Any thoughts on where you want to be?

[Iza_]

Ideally Seoul or Jeju-do.
However I just hope to get a good job anywhere, preferably in a public school. I have a year prior to my prospective departure date and as of now where I want to teach in Korea is still up in the air.

I guess since I am uncertain on housing and location it is difficult to estimate how much money I will need.

Any advice is still wanted! I will leaving the states with atleast $6,000 USD after airfare is paid for.

[CentralCali]

Have you taught in Korea before?

[Iza_]

No I have not

[mscoop1085]

3,000 dollars minimum unless you will live as a hermit. With no job for 3 months in a foreign country you know little to shit about, you will run through money quick.....Trust me

[milspecs]

[Skipperoo]

I was under the impression that you have to apply for your working visa in your country of residence? If that's the case (can someone confirm/deny?) then you will want to organise a job before you leave for Korea.

[Iza_]

[Katie26]

Hi OP,

I'm afraid I can't help in terms of Goshiwons etc having had no experience with getting my own accommodation (my school sorted it).

Tell me to mind my own business if you want but is there any particular reason that you wouldn't get a job before coming here. I just think that way you'd have somewhere straight away and someone would cover your airfare out here rather than just a visa run to Japan.

I actually work for a really nice hagwon out here (well actually I'm in the UK at the moment but am going back for a second year) I could drop you a pm with their details if you're interested in going down that route.
I know they have a school in Jeju and Bundang (a suburb of seoul) but don't know when the teachers are leaving-a lot of the teachers renew like me.

[Katie26]

Also I'm pretty sure you don't have to apply in your home country, you can take a visa run to Japan.