Korean Job Discussion Forums

[melek-taus]

I was recently accepted for the Spring 2011 intake of SMOE and since I am currently in Korea I was looking into getting my own place ahead of time. Initially I indicated that I was okay with my employer finding me accommodation, but as I am here now and can check out places myself, I figured I should do so. The only problem is SMOE is so hush-hush about where my school will be . I can understand this a bit, but still think it is a ridiculous policy that does nothing to help matters. I'd rather not commute 2 hours to work everyday. During the application process they give you the option to find your own accommodation for some reason, though I can't understand why if I am I expected to sit on my ass waiting until after orientation to get info on my location. Am I then expected to spend a few weeks homeless until I find something? Typically finding a place doesn't happen overnight. I want some more info, but as I have to go through my recruiter (KoreaConnections) as gatekeeper, I'm kinda still in the dark. I have been asked to submit a letter to EPIK/SMOE for a housing allowance request that includes a promise that I "will never request for accommodation from [my] school during [my] contract period" and that I "will not complain about commute time to work." Sounds reasonable. But what's not reasonable is not giving me ample time to prepare when I have it on hand.
Anyone gone through this process before as a new SMOE hire? Anyone know if your NOA letter has any info on location? Anyone know who to contact at SMOE to sort this out? Any and all help greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time.

[marsavalanche]

This post stinks so much of GenY sense of self-entitlement I wonder whether it's even worth breaking down because my money is on the OP refusing to listen to anything I have to say.

[jrwhite82]

Having a bad day mars? Yeesh!

I don't think it is unreasonable to want to know where you are going to live before your job starts. We aren't in the military. It's not like we are getting assigned straight out of basic training. And then, even the military has a lot of resources available to help their personel find housing.

[Njord]

Firstly, I have never worked for SMOE and don't have any particular information on their policies. However, I think marsavalanche is being a little unfair.

My advice: Actually, in Korea you can get an apartment remarkably quickly. What you should be doing now is getting the key money prepared and researching various options that are in your price range. If you wish to live in Itaewon or in certain low end options elsewhere, then the key money may not be necessary. There are agents who are used to dealing with foreigners, but if you do not speak Korean it is probably best to have a friend who does to help you. Be particularly careful of the debt on the property and remember to register your residence with the gu office within two weeks. Personally, I agree with you that it would be great for them to tell you at least generally where you will be located. However, from what I have read this is unrealistic. Do what you can now, and then be prepared to move quickly.

On the general idea of finding your own place, I think you have the right idea. While I lived in a place my employer found for my first contract in Korea and this is certainly easier, it is not something I would do again. Basically I am uncomfortable with the idea of any employer controlling my housing arrangements. From various things I've read or heard from friends, it seems this discomfort is justified.

Good luck and feel free to post with any more specific difficulties. This can be difficult for a first-timer, but it isn't and shouldn't be impossible.

[Caffeinated]

It would have been nice to have an address to ship stuff to, whether it be my future home or my workplace. This is a MAJOR issue especially for those already working outside their home country.

OP: it's a major gamble committing to housing before finding out your placement. If you insist, go central.

[melek-taus]

Thanks for the replies, with the exception of user 'marsavalanche' whose comments were lacking in both utility and tact. Having spent a few years teaching public school in Korea, I am familiar with the process of getting housing through my employer, just not with SMOE. Given the new setup this year (with EPIK doing the hiring/interviewing for SMOE) I am a little confused.
I have looked at a number of available apartments in and around the city and have found a few that would be suitable. I would have already signed a lease, save for the fact that it is not SMOE policy to reveal to new hires their place of employment until after orientation (for which I still have yet to be given a set date/time), therefore deterring me from prematurely securing accommodation that may in fact be too far from my school.
My post was a simple request for information from any other current or former SMOE hires who may have gone through this same process. I don't think it is unreasonable to try and plan a month in advance for things that will affect the next year of my life. I understand the responsibilities involved in securing my own living arrangements and have done so many times before, at home and abroad. So any further comments with specific, helpful information are greatly appreciated.
Thanks again.

[kimdeal54]

I currently work for SMOE and I sorted my own accommodation well before orientation. I also have two friends (met through SMOE) who did the same thing.

This might be comforting. As far as I know, you will be placed within a one hour commute of your home. Just let them know what your new address is as soon as possible. Also, one hour is really the maximum commute you would have. Both of my friends were placed really close to their apartments. One lives three subway stops from his school, and the other only has to take a fifteen minute bus ride. Oh, and they both live in Haebongchon by the way.

As for me, I live in Incheon (for a couple of reasons), but SMOE still placed me as close as possible to the western edge of Seoul as they could. So my commute isn't that bad.

Oh, and all of this is just from personal experience. I don't know if their policies have changed in the past year, but I'd say they haven't.