Korean Job Discussion Forums

[testudoaubreii]

Aside from getting your documents in asap being key, what has people's experience been with joint applications in terms of how far you end up from your partner.

We applied to the metropolitan cities with the thought that even if we're on other sides of the city, its still closer than being in different cities/towns in the same province.

Do the POE's make an effort (that you can tell) to place you in schools close together, or what?

We're 'engaged' so we can't get couple's housing, and they make it very difficult for you to get an apartment yourself using the housing credit by not telling you where you go until after orientation.

We both have some experience teaching in Korea.
Better to stick with EPIK, or find a hawgon that offers couples housing? Any thoughts?

[MalFSU1]

My boyfriend and I started with EPIK here in Korea two years ago. We were open to going to a more rural province(Chungbuk) and had absolutely no problem getting housing together. The new couples coming into our city are all living in the same building, but in separate studio apartments...it seems perhaps the policy on couples living together has changed. I think at the very least EPIK is quite accomodating in making sure you and your partner will be close to each other. Not sure if this was any help at all....goodluck!

[jonpurdy]

[alikaz]

I'm in a similar situation, in a long term relationship but not married.

Everywhere I've read says single accommodation is provided - but does this mean literally 'a single bed' or is it common to be given a place with a double bed?

[testudoaubreii]

[nstick13]

My g/f and I are in Chungbuk, and are placed in the same building. In fact, we're asking to be a bit further apart next year, as we've struggled to carve out our own lives in a small town whilst being so close.

It's not just that you don't know where you'll be until after orientation, it's the Korean housing system, too. Read through this site to find out what I mean, but 20 million won for a key deposit is typically a start. And whilst you get 400,000 won a month for rent, EPIK isn't covering the 20 million won. Not to mention furniture on top of that. You'll lose a lot of money there, especially if you're only going to be in Korea for a year.

[Korangar]

[testudoaubreii]

I have heard from other people (i was looking into this pretty intensely last may) that if you ask for the housing allowance you are basically assured not to get a job offer. Also, the Daegu POE is apparently pretty good at putting people close together.[/quote]


I have now experienced that. I didn't hear back from them about the interview results for a week, and then got accepted the same day I told them I'd pass on the housing credit. Nefarious. Maybe even sinister.