Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Anakaren152]

Hi everyone! Last night I was offered two positions and I am having trouble in deciding which one to pick.

1) I was offered a elementary school position in Incheon through the IMOE. I won't have any idea where I will be placed, but my recruiter knows I want to be in Bupyeong and he said he could probably get me a placement there if I submit my documents asap. The position starts on sept 26th. The funny thing is that I didn't get interviewed. They just offered me employment a day after submitting my application.

2)the second position is through GEPIK and in Gunpo City. It is a elementary school at the edge of the city. I haven't heard yet from the foreign teacher at the school. This position begins on Sept 1st.

Both locations are an hour away from Seoul (if I'm placed in Bupyeong), which is very important to me. The pay is the same in both areas.

Which position do you guys recommend? Any insight would be great. Thank you!!

[cazzy3]

If you have job offer in Incheon, I say take it. Incheon has plenty of nice places, it's close to Seoul, and you have not been formally offered a job from the previous place.

Just make sure you're in Bu-pyung and they don't send you to some far off place in Incheon because it can be night or day when it comes to this city.

[lithium]

Second Incheon.

[maximmm]

I would say Gunpo - but I am clearly outnumbered here^^

I lived there for a number of years - a good city, great BOE - close to Seoul. At the same time, I did live in the center of the city, next to the city hall. Still, the edge of Gunpo is much, much better than the edge of Incheon (alas, it better not be the island). Bupyeong is slightly better than Gunpo, but you have to be wary of the rural areas in Incheon. If your recruiter tells you that you will be placed in Bupyeong, then it's a toss up. Aside from that, you are well aware of my opinion on the subject of Incheon's BOE^^

Good luck!

[RangerMcGreggor]

Figure out location; Incheon isn't as fun if you find yourself in the northern rural parts and Gunpo is a quick ride away from Seoul.

[ippy]

why on earth would you need to submit your documents to a non existent job? He has given you nothing but some word that he can probably get you some place somewhere you maybe want. Id proceed with extreme caution on your documents. Once you send them out you better hope that person is impeccable because if they aint, youre stuck with them as your recruiter (since getting them together again is a massive pain in teh nuts). If you are veering towards incheon, id strongly recommend you at least get a notarised second copy of your documents just in case.

Purely on the basis of no actual details, id go with the ones actually giving you information and a school.

[Harpeau]

Recruiters are not working for you. They are working to plug bodies in certain locations. I would imagine that Bupyeong is in demand to some extent. Incheon is huge and you could be triangled out on some island in the corner of the country. If you like the water, then that's fine.

Gunpo, though you are on the edge of town has the advantage of a couple of subway lines. Unless I was guarranteed Bupyeong or a few other nice places, I would go with Gunpo. Incheon is a crapshot. If you're a high-stakes gambler, go for it, but know what you're getting into.

[maximmm]

[3DR]

I say Incheon.

But like other posters said, there are some islands that teachers get placed on, however the chance the you would be one is very small.

Bupyeong is not even the best area IMO. I live in between Arts Center and City Hall, and it's much cleaner and you still have lots of restaurants and bars to hit up if you want.

Incheon is also very close to Seoul with express buses running regularly until about 1am.

Also, I have been very pleased with IMOE. They run things very smoothly, and the coordinator Sarah is always very helpful.

But yea...there is that *small* chance you could be placed on one of the islands if you don't trust your recruiter to get you in Bupyeong. However, it could be an interesting experience for you. I had a friend who was placed out there and although the ferry rides were annoying, she said her kids were great, and she didn't have to do a lot of camps because the schools were small. She finished her year, and transferred to another school in Incheon proper.

[dave72]

You're picking Incheon over Gunpo?!? The hell is wrong with you peoples?!

[Nolos]

[mithridates]

Sanbon in Gunpo is great - I lived there for a year. Anyang's right next door and Gangnam is the closest part of Seoul to the city. Lots of small mountains nearby too, starting with Surisan.

[Nolos]

[mithridates]

[Nolos]