Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kraggy]

Hi there,

I started with SMOE 2 weeks ago. However, the apartment they gave me is in a very drab area and there are some problems with the apartment.

e.g. The washing machine smells,
the window won't close 100% which during the summer isn't an issue, but in the winter it will be a serious one,
the a/c won't work on a warm setting,
there is no tv,

I can get over all the above, but the area that it is in is getting me down somewhat.

Now, if worst comes to the worst, I'll mangage. However, can I ask the school for money towards an aparment that I find myself instead of them renting this one on my behalf? I know that you can opt for this before you start a contract but can the change be done mid-contract?

If so, how would one go about finding a place?

Thanks for reading.

K.

[kraggy]

Bumping this.

Really need an answer.

Would really like to get out of the aparment I'm in. Can I do that mid-contract?

Can I just ask the school to give me 400,000 towards rent instead of them renting me an apartment?

And if so, how much is the going rate, say somewhere near Dongdaemun?

[partyjunkie101]

Im guessing your like me in that you applied for one of the late smoe positions. I'll be arriving in just over a week and may face a similar problem as this positions are in demand and you have to wonder why the quick drop outs.

also Irish by the way.

[Weigookin74]

Think you have to ask beforehand. If you go to www.naver.com and type 서울 원룸 you can prob find something. If you're familiar with Seoul and know where you'll be, hope it helps.

[crsandus]

My first year here a girl that lived across the hall from me tried to move mid-contract. After lots of back and forth discussions, she was told that she could move if she paid the ~1,000,000won fee for cancellation. Her school had signed a one year lease and that was the penalty for trying to get out of it early. She ended up staying and finishing the year. I also finished my first year at the same place and then moved to a new place my 2nd year with the same school.

Basically, talk to your school and find out what they say. They will probably say it is impossible at first but press them and see what happens. My friend only got as far as the cancellation fee because she told her school that the mold in her apartment was causing medical problems (which it was).

[MitchMartin]

That's right, persistence is always useful... especially if you start getting sick, going to the doctor a lot and disrupt things at school. Then they start doing serious stuff about it.

You have to remember, even though SMOE hired you and the school you're at is somewhat under SMOE the last thing your school wants to do is contact them because it makes it look like your principal don't have things under control.

What the previous poster said is dead on, you'll get something if you persistence and show them how this affects THE SCHOOL more than it affects you.

Of course saying good morning to your principal and co-workers every morning helps too.