Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zax]

Looking to teach in Korea, and have been trying to do as much research beforehand as I can. Haven't found an answer for this question. If it's buried around here and I just haven't looked hard enough, please direct me to the answer.


In any case, the potential employer is offering housing, but it isn't furnished beyond some appliances. How much money should I be expecting to spend to settle in and get through the first month?


My lifestyle is fairly minimalistic, and I'm quite adept at eating on the cheap.

[northway]

A lot of places pay on the tenth, so if you come at the beginning of the month you might be looking at 40 days without pay. That said, $100 a week is possible, if you're being really cheap. I'd budget more like $150 a week, possibly a bit higher if your school is really cheap in terms of what it provides for your apartment.

[Zax]

Thanks, I should be able to have enough on-hand, then.


What would it cost to get things like a bed and other furniture? I'm mostly concerned with the bed and any sort of dishes, as I'd be fine just sitting on the floor for the first while.

Grew up moving around a lot, so it wasn't uncommon for us to spend the first while in new houses with plasticware and sleeping bags.

[northway]

If the school isn't going to provide you a bed in your furnished apartment, I'd run for the hills (or a different hagwon). Dishes are cheap at the Korean equivalent of the dollar store (Daiso).

[Zax]

I don't know if they will or not. It wasn't on the list of things in the apartment.

[northway]

Beds are standard, assume you will get one.

[young_clinton]

assuming you have all the clothing you need with you and don't need money for medication and doctor's bills. You would need $500 for a public school. Public schools give you $300 when you arrive to carry you over. However you are not working for a public school. So it's a crapshoot for you. Why didn't you get a job with a public school?

[Zax]

Let's go with "personal preference" on that.


So, I'm looking at between $300-500, and I'm assuming those calculations include transportation?

[northway]

Again, it really depends on your start date versus your payday. You may also have to pay for your medical check, which can be close to 100,000, and your ARC (I don't know how much that costs). Just for cost of living, allow for at least $100 a week, and you should probably throw in an extra hundred or two for incidentals.

[young_clinton]

Northway has it down. For transportation a bus all the way across Korea will cost you $30 US, the subway to Central City bus station in Seoul in the area of about $10. Since your working at a Hogwan, consider that you might not get paid at all or at least not very much. With that in mind you may want to have several grand available if that happens. All I can say is if things mess up immediately how much do you think you will need? You don't want to end up at the Embassy for an emergency plane ticket and housing and food. Also would you have any money when you returned?

[northway]

Going cheap is great and all, but if you have a bit more available, I'd suggest bringing it. You may only be in Korea for a year and you don't want to end up missing out on a cool festival or party because you wanted to live super cheaply at first. $100 per week is my suggestion as a bare minimum, though some are sure to come on here and say you can live on less than that, which is surely possible, if unpalatable.

[The Sultan of Seoul]

I agree, a minimum of 100 a week and maybe a cpl hundy for incidentals.

600usd would be fine.

It is pretty likely you will be provided all furniture, so I wouldn't worry about that.

When I arrived I was broke and my hakwan gave me a 600k advance. A lot of hakwans are fine with this.

[Zax]

Alrighty. Looks like I'll be fine, then. Thanks, all.

[Zax]

I've confirmed that furniture such as a couch and bed will be provided, so looks like the $600 (approximately) should cover it.