Korean Job Discussion Forums

zenbone · Joined: 26 Jun 2010

Hello,
i got accepted by EPIK and was wondering what the EPIK orientation is like. i have heard some of the Medical exam things. It isn't a problem if someone is color blind right? one blog talked about it a little, i am color blind but only slightly. Just want to make sure that it isn't a problem. Any thoughts on the EPIK orientation or process?

tanklor1 · Joined: 13 Jun 2006

SHIFT+i = I !!!!!!!

I wouldn't have any worries about colour-blindness. Last I remembered the eye test portion only included black and white. As for the orientation itself; your ears are more important than your eyes.

rickpidero · Joined: 03 Sep 2009

EPIK orientation is a chance to get drunk with 100s of other teachers that are just getting to Korea. Make a bunch of friends and take everything they tell you classes with a grain of salt.

It's actually a lot of fun, probably shouldn't be though.

Boating3 · Joined: 05 Dec 2010

If you are new to Korea and getting in a flight, they pick you up at ICN airport and bus you off to your orientation site...usually a university. If it's like it has been in the past, they divide you into groups based on what city/province you are going to. Then you move through lectures and cultural experiences/shows with that group of people. There is at least one 'excursion' off campus to experience something cultural/traditional Korean. You stay in double dorm type rooms. You will fill out paperwork to get a 'temporary' bank account...you can't get a permanent one until you have your alien registration card. (You fill out paperwork to get the alien registration card with your co-teacher on the last day of orientation, which is the first day you meet your coteacher, then get it a few weeks later). FYI, you also can't get a monthly, contracted cell phone til you have your alien registration card, but you can get a pay as you go phone that does the job to hold you over until then.

Boating3 · Joined: 05 Dec 2010

Oh yeah....and I seem to remember that the Medical checkup takes up over half of one day because they have so many people to move through the process. Last year we just hung out in a room and talked with others in our group, watched TV shows that the Koreans wanted to show us until it was our groups turn. (There were two 'Korean leaders' assigned to the group who spoke good English and led us through everything and were whowe signed in with at lectures, etc, during the whole orientation. Very nice Koreans--excited to be there.)

injuredeagle · Joined: 25 May 2010 Location: Then: Florida Now: Daegu

I found orientation to be majorly exhausting: getting up early, going through lectures until evening, meeting all sorts of new people and constant new interactions during the 3 meals a day, then going out at night to get your first look at "real Korea." Make sure you get your rest.

As far as the medical exam, I didn't hear about anyone turned away at my orientation with 400 or so people. There were people who clearly needed glasses, hearing aids, and possibly lobotomies and they all were accepted. I wouldn't worry about color blindness, although I hope your not teaching colors to elementary school kids Wink

JK

rickpidero · Joined: 03 Sep 2009

mmarion1234 · Joined: 22 Dec 2010

Hi there! When did you hear back from EPIK? I am waiting patiently for my offer from SMOE...does anyone know if they are on a timeline? I am aware that the orientation is next month...

Boating3 · Joined: 05 Dec 2010

Boating3 · Joined: 05 Dec 2010

injuredeagle · Joined: 25 May 2010 Location: Then: Florida Now: Daegu

some good replies. I would do some working out because you'll be lugging your suitcases around constantly and sleep well because they pack the orientation days and then you have to go out at night, i mean, it's in busan this time, right? MOre tips here:

http://alexpickett.com/2011/02/22/3-things-i-wish-i-knew-about-the-epik-orientation-for-future-english-teachers-in-south-korea/

OThePestO · Joined: 18 Sep 2010

Here is a blog about the most recent EPIK orientation in Busan.

There is a color blind test done but I'm not sure if the result of that will affect whether you can teach or not.

http://manninkorea.blogspot.com

Canonite · Joined: 01 Feb 2011

Is there an EPIK orientation coming up?

My recruiter (who has been absolutely awesome) said that there will be a ton of us arriving in Busan the day I am (14th), but he said we'd be put up in a hotel for the night then the next day I meet my school principal and get my own apartment.

Would love to talk to anyone else who is arriving in Busan on Monday.