Korean Job Discussion Forums

[anita.ragu]

First off, I want to introduce myself since I'm new to the forum. My name is Anita, I'm from Canada and of Sri Lankan descent. I have a B.A. and I'm completing a 120 hour TEFL course.
Now the problem: My boyfriend has a job with GEPIK in Osan at a middle school. The plan was I would join him next year but situations changed and I'm looking to leave within the next 2-3 months. The only thing holding me back is my documents. My RCMP check should be coming in within the next 2-3 weeks and from there its just waiting for a Visa. I've already started applying to jobs even though my documents are not ready, I know this puts me low on the priority list but I want to be ready to leave as soon as I have all the documents in hand.
Oh yes, the problem. I want to be in Osan for obvious reasons but GEPIK has a hiring freeze and I have yet to see ONE job posted for the area. The next best location would be Suwon. It's difficult enough finding a position being a dark-skinned female but it's even more difficult with location requirements.
If anyone could help a sister out and refer me to any Osan/Suwon jobs you might know of, I would be so grateful. Looking forward to being in SK!

[Zyzyfer]

I unfortunately don't know of any jobs but you should include Pyeongtaek in your search. It's almost as close as Suwon. Good luck!

[nathanrutledge]

Where in Osan is your bf located? You could be looking at Byeongjeom (in Hwaseong-si), Suwon, Pyeongtaek (specifically Jinwi/Songtan/Seojeong-ri stations) and be nice and close. You could even go Pyeongtaek proper, depending on your housing/commute willingness/plans. Also, what kind of commute are you willing to make for your job/bf? There is an express subway that goes on line 1, and you could live and work along the line and be within about 20-25 minutes of Osan from Anyang, where there are plenty of jobs. But, you're looking at having to plan/schedule around that express train schedule/Nooriro schedule (a national train that makes stops along line 1), or accept about 50-55 minutes on the subway to/from Osan/Anyang. Same goes for SOUTH of the line as well, but beyond Pyeongtaek, I don't know what kind of stuff you'd find in the Pyeongtaek/Cheonon corridor.

Good luck.

[anita.ragu]

Thanks so much for your replies and help! I really appreciate it.
My boyfriend says he's right by Osan University on the east(?) side of the river. Which places would be closer out of the ones you listed? Shortest commute is optimal.
Also do any of you know how the hiring freeze will inhibit my chances of getting a public school job?
I have an in office interview with Canada Connection tomorrow so I'll include Pyeongtaek.

[Zyzyfer]

Osan's not exactly a huge city. You might need to ask the boyfriend how close he is to the bus and train station. I have a vague idea of where the university is but not in relation to those two.

And Anyang might be another possibility. It's close but I don't know anything at all about the commute. But they're all relatively close and the commute would be tolerable enough. Bear in mind I live and work in central Seoul and commute 40-50 minutes each way every day!

[nathanrutledge]

Osan Dae = meh. Osan has two subway stations (well, technically 3 - Sema is in Osan) and Osan University (dae) is the smaller of the two. If you could be in Byeongjeom/Dongtan, that'd be perfect. Dongtan especially as they've finished the roads through the mountain area to the south, so it goes directly to the station from there. You'd literally be a five minute taxi ride away.

If I were you, I'd aim for Dongtan/Byeongjeom/Suwon/Pyeongtaek, in that order.

There isn't a hiring freeze, per se, with GEPIK. They are just being very strict about hiring outside of the March/September start dates. The budgets for PS have been cut, and the squeeze is on for those places these days, so it's a bit more difficult. I can tell you public schools in Dongtan hire minorities/African/dark skinned people - the majority of the people I knew when I lived there worked for PS and were African-American/Canadian, Indian, or South African. So being dark won't be a big problem for you there.

[anita.ragu]

Ah sweet Nathan, that really helps! Bring on the black tax. They won't be disappointed.

[jisun]

I'm in Osan now but leaving in a week. Including me, I know of three people here whose contracts were not renewed due to budget issues. But if you can wait for the September 1 hiring rush, there might be something available. ATC (a recruiting company) had a few positions in nearby towns when I was looking for a new job, and they didn't have a problem working with me even though I'm ethnically Korean and therefore considered un-hire-able by more schools than I'd like. Good luck!

[anita.ragu]

That's unfortunate Any luck with the job search? I've seen a few positions kicking around Dongtan and a lot more in Suwon. I've decided to go through Korvia and they said they would try their hardest to find me one in Osan but I'd be happy somewhere nearby. I was actually asked to make a video introducing myself and my teaching philosophy, with some teaching footage. I was a bit taken aback by the request because no one I know has had to do that but I'm happy to do it if it means a better chance of a public school. The woes of colour/gyopo. Good luck to you as well!

[sallymonster]

I agree with the others who've recommended Dongtan/Byeongjeom. I have heard that public schools there are funded through Hwaseong City Hall rather than GEPIK, and I have seen a couple open positions for this June/July in that area (though I saw those a while ago). Plus, Dongtan is a brand-new, really nice planned community. Byeongjeom isn't as nice, but you'd be close to your bf anyhow.

Check the job boards and see what you can find. If you're submitting applications to individual schools, rather than an education office, you can use more than one recruiter. Good luck!

[alwaysbeclosing100]

i just came back from sri lanka last summer and i think it is one of the most interesting countries in the world. it has been a key trading location for thousands of years. i have never met a single korean who has visited sri lanka. i met a very few who have been to india. i have a friend of tamil/pakistani descent who is here from south africa in epik. appearances are pretty important but if you are persistent you will likely find a job you are happy with.

[anita.ragu]

I was lucky enough to find a job in Osan but the school says that they will not be able to reimburse the flight until 6 months into the contract, have you heard of this before?

[lifeinkorea]

[anita.ragu]

I asked my recruiter about it and she said it's just set up in the budget to be paid back at the 6 month mark but the salary is already budgeted out too so lets hope I won't be cheated of anything. Cross your fingers for me!

[ssuprnova]