Korean Job Discussion Forums

Daithi · Joined: 19 Jul 2010

Hi all I have just recently been passed the EPIK interview and am currently in the process of getting my necessary documents together.
I've been reading this Korean section on and off for years but religiously for the last few weeks. But I still have a few questions.

1.) Due to the fact that I'm quite late being accepted by EPIK, can anyone tell me what the likelihood of me getting either of first three choices (Seoul, Incheon, Busan)? I know this depends on many variables but has anyone who worked for them previously had to accept their fourth choice, or know of someone who had to?

2.)I know that this is a contentious issue and there are a lot of threads, which i've read regarding vaccines but has anyone been recommended the Rabies Vaccine by their doctor recently? My doctor was pushing it on me(�210) and i don't think it's necessary pre-arrival. I've decided i'll wait to get the J.Enceph(�200) and possibly typhoid till i'm there cos they are so much cheaper.

3.) I've read that if you start a vaccine in one country that sometimes it can be difficult getting a doctor to carry on the vaccine in Korea due to the different meds. I plan to get my Hep A and first two Hep B shots here. Will I be able to find a doc to get the final Hep B easy? (i know i may not even need the hep b shot if my immune level is high enough but haven't got it tested yet)

4.) From experience how easy is it to get your shots sorted in one of the larger Korean cities? Mainly considering the fact that i won't speak Korean and won't have made contact with the school so i'll have no assistance. Not sure where orientation is yet (or whether I 100% have a job) but I'd plan to arrive a few days before orientation to get the vaccines sorted.

I'll leave it at those 4 questions for the moment. I'm sure i'll have more to add soon enough.

Also anyone who is on the EPIK programme for August and wants to get in contact feel free to do so.

PS. Please do not argue the merits of vaccination on this thread, it's been done countless times, preferably try not to argue at all

litebear · Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Holland

Triban · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Location: Suwon Station

Man I remember when I first came...I was so excited...everything was strange and new Sad

Chalmers · Joined: 20 Oct 2008

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

DaHu · Joined: 09 Feb 2011

No vaccines needed. Relax.

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

Daithi · Joined: 19 Jul 2010

Thanks for all the advice, getting reassurance from people who live/have lived there helps put my mind at ease.

Seeming as it could be "hit and miss" on whether or not i get my first three choices,Seoul, Incheon, Busan, I was wondering does anyone live in Ulsan or Daegu and what are the like in comparasion to the larger cities. I've read all the wiki stuff and guides but first hand and up to date experience is always better

What i'm looking for in a city is large enough to go out and meet westerners when i want to. A good place to take up some martial arts classes eg.muay thai,jiu-jitsu,kickboxing and a place that is good as a jumping off point to do some travelling at the weekends.

They are my fourth and fifth choices (i'm going to switch the order around i'd say)

If anyone can recommend a better city for my fourth or fifth choice I'd love to hear it. Maybe there is someplace i've overlooked.

Rutherford · Joined: 31 Jul 2007

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

You're not going to notice a really meaningful difference between any of Korea's big 5 cities. Just go for it.

..........and you don't need vaccines......

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

Daithi · Joined: 19 Jul 2010

Thanks again!Here are a few more questions.

As i stated in the original post I am gathering my documents for EPIK, however i still have TEKOREA.com sending me the odd job offer.

1.)Can anyone tell me from experience anything good or bad about either group? eg. a pros and cons list(particularly EPIK and the cons involved)

I'e done research into EPIK, more so, but a lot of the info is quite old and a lot can change in a few years.

2.)Is it the case that even though you may only teach 20-25 hours a week through EPIK public schools will require you to be on site for 40hours?

3.)I've recently been offered a job in Gwanju, anyone living there? And what do you think of it? It seems nice.

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

I'll keep it simple but go with EPIK rather than some random hagwon. Just it's better for your first year, and you'll probably not encounter probs. You'll meet a ton of foreigners at the orientations... that'll be your friend-making time. EPIK jobs vary widely, but chances are if you're a normal human you'll have a good time.

2) Don't worry much about the hours. You'll work 8 hours a day, and most likely teach 20 hours a week. The rest of the time is set aside for lesson planning, chatting with co-workers, chilling in the office, drinking coffee, and whatever keeps you occupied (I'd suggest self-studying Korean). If you accept a hakwon job, there's not as much down-time and you'll likely finish around 7:30-9pm ish.

3) Small, maybe a bit boring, but good food (Korean only, maybe a little bit of foreign food). I hear lots of people live there and are happy. But I wouldn't live there (that's just me though) cuz I need to be on the Seoul subway system.

Daithi · Joined: 19 Jul 2010

Thanks Brento, that helps a lot. Reassures me I'm making the right decisions.