Korean Job Discussion Forums

jsouthal · Joined: 06 Jan 2012

Hi,

I recently had an interview with a public elementary school through my recruiter. The public school offered me the job, and I accepted it (I had to make a very quick decision as the starting date is March 1st). The next step was to send my signed contract and all my documents off to Gepik so they can officially accept me into the program. I didn't have all my documents ready to send in, so my recruiter sent most of them in with the Gepik application and signed contract. However, I am now really worried that teaching in a public school might be too lonely (they are not sending me to the orientation). I was initially attracted to the idea of teaching in a PS because of the vacation and the stability. But I have had the experience living and working as the only foreigner in a workplace in the past and found it to be a very lonely year, and would hate to have an experience like that again. Does anyone have any insight as to how they felt/feel working as the only foreigner in a PS, and how easy it is to meet and be part of a community of other expats outside of work?

Can I even back out now if I wanted to? They have most of my documents and a signed contract, but they are still missing a few things and Gepik hasn't officially accepted me into the program yet (even though the school wants me). I don't have a VIN yet, and everything was just sent off on Friday. Any thoughts?

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

jsouthal · Joined: 06 Jan 2012

Thanks for your post. All very good points. I am an experienced traveller and have done a lot of work abroad, and absolutely do not have a "loneliness" problem haha.
So no need for a personal attack, just looking for some insight. I am not worried about being AT work, I understand what teaching is and how it works, I'm an independent worker and am excited about teaching. I'm also really looking forward to working with Koreans. I am worried about the fact that they're not sending me to orientation and I don't know anyone who's there... so how will life be after work and on the weekend when I don't work with anyone my age and don't know anyone? This is what I'm wondering about. I'm not sure how easy it will be to network when I don't know a soul to begin with. Even if I did work for a Hagwon where I really didn't connect with my co-workers, at least there would be a starting point for which to meet other people.

plchron · Joined: 26 Feb 2011 Location: Korea

I think they have training sessions and lectures sometimes where you met people in your area.

sallymonster · Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Location: Seattle area

OP, if you ever seek English-speaking companionship, just come on up to Seoul on the weekends and join us for our latest adventure:

http://www.meetup.com/lostinseoul/

3DR · Joined: 24 May 2009

Trust me you won't get lonely. With facebook, meetup, etc, there is no excuse. Whatever city you're in, find the group on facebook and start networking.

I worked in public school my first year and a hagwon my second year. I felt more lonely at the hagwon because the schedule was 3-10, and the foreign teachers that worked there weren't very social. So I only had two days to socialize.

If you're at a public school, you can meet people after work and have your time during the weekend.

Cacille · Joined: 05 Oct 2011

I'm also a newb going into a public school in a rural town!
Lonely? Sure, but I'm ok with that. I know i can come to this site and or do meetups with others here. I doubt you'll be as lonely as you think you will be. I'm definitely gonna stay with the public school I joined, assuming I like it well enough. No sense giving up a job to go to a possibly horrible hagwon, just to maybe have more people around.