Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dyc]

I may very well be getting ahead of myself as I don't have a job lined up yet, but I thought I'd ask these questions anyway:

1) When you get a job (hakwon or PS), how much earlier before your first day of work do you usually arrive? Would it at all be possible to arrange with your employer to have you fly in approx 1-2 weeks ahead of time just so you can look around and get "acclimated" in a way?

I understand housing may be an issue as the school probably won't want to let you live in their housing until you are working for them, but I sort of want to know if it's possible to arrive early.


2) If I wanted to take Korean classes while in Korea, would it be possible to get my employer to re-imburse/subsidize my classes? Or is that something that's sort of a case-by-case basis?

[chellovek]

1) If it's a hagwon it may be as soon as the next day that you start work (I've read on here before now of people arriving and being taken straight to work). However, back in the day at my first job I had a week before classes started. During the week I had to go to the hagwon and familiarise myself with the materials and observe a couple of classes. As for PS, at this job the POE said I would have to observe for 3 days (I was hired outside the usual hiring season for PS). As it turned out, I barely did any lessons for 2 months due to co-teacher issues.

I'm not sure about you being able to come over a couple of weeks in advance due to visa issues, somebody more knowledgeable will have to tackle that one.

2) I think you'll have to pay for Korean classes out of your own pocket, or try to find a language-exchange partner.

[olsanairbase]

[fugitive chicken]

This advise is terrible....Don't listen to them..

1) Probably not as your visa begins as you enter the country and they will want you to start as soon as possible. Some schools will give you some observation time whereas some will not. Ask your school personally. It really depends on the boss. Some yes, some no.

2) absolutely not. That is an expense that is up to you. Do NOT listen to Olsonairbase...giving out private lessons are illegal. If you are caught, you will be in hot water. There are decently priced Korean lessons scattered all over the place.

[dyc]

[bamboozler]