Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sab2197]

After many months of false starts and waiting, it is starting to look like I am finally going to make the big trip over to South Korea later this week. Though I am extremely excited for my actual stay in South Korea, I am nervous about the actual trip over. I have flown before, but never internationally. Not to mention, due to all the difficulties I had with getting my documents processed I am two entire weeks late starting my job so I am nervous as to what I will walk into.

I have read countless posts about people's experiences in South Korea once they have been living and working in the culture for awhile. I haven't seen much posted about the initial arrival into the country. What were your first moments in Korea like? What was your first day at school like? I appreciate your comments!

[Hokie21]

I arrived in Incheon at 5 PM....my luggage arrived a week or so later. My school had sent a driver to pick me up so I found the man with a sign which resembled my name and off we went. Arrived in town around 7:30 PM and was promptly taken to Home Plus to get some clothes to teach in and then was taken out for a 10 PM dinner with some of my new co-workers.

The next morning I caught the bus to work with a co-teacher, was then introduced to the management staff and other Korean teachers and given my schedule and books. I was told what units need to be covered and then spent the next 60 minutes or so prepping for my first class.

Some people at my school were allowed to "shadow" a teacher for a week and had some training but as I've already taught in the past and because my school was understaffed at the time I was teaching within 24 hours upon arrival. Since you mentioned you're about two weeks behind I'd imagine you will be teaching your own classes on your first day.

PS. Since I'm guessing other teachers have been covering your classes for the past week I recommend bringing some small "gifts" over. Just something like some bags of chocolate that you can pick up at CVS. It's something small and your new co-workers will appreciate it.

[wonkavite62]

The first day of my current stay in Korea was quite pleasant. As with you, my visa had been delayed-though only 2 days. It was gorgeous spring weather as I travelled from Incheon to my orientation in Gwangju. No problems there, just a little bit slow in getting started and settling into my public school job last year.

MY FIRST EVER time in Korea was different. I remember the long flight. I'd been told that I would be met at Incheon Airport and that a representative of my school was coming to take me to my new workplace in a different province. OOPS!... Er nobody came to meet me. I had to take the bus and meet them in Wonju, but didn't know this until I had been in Incheon airport for a while. My first impression of Korea in the autumn was of a land blasted by winds and totally dead. Not a blade of green grass anywhere. (last year, by contrast the 1st day was gorgeous).

I got to Wonju, met the boss' mother and proceeded to the small city I'd be working in. The hagwon was teeny-tiny, which did concern me. I felt a little disoriented at first, but people showed some disposition to help me outside school. Oddly enough, inside school there were no guidelines and almost no materials to use.

[euluhawk]

[Hokie21]

[wonkavite62]

I'm not sure that it is normal, because there is a tendency for schools to send someone to pick up new teachers.

[Hokie21]

[sigmundsmith]

My first time here was in a hagwon. Was flying from Florida so they chose the cheapest ticket that they could find so had 3 stops - Dallas, LA, Tokyo - between my departure from Florida to arriving in Incheon (I think they saved about $200).

As the job was in the southern part of the country (4 hours direct bus on express way) someone met me at the airport and drove me to Nambu bus terminal. Put me on a bus that took 7 1/2 hours (instead of 4 hours). We didn't use the express way at all. We drove through the normal roads. So I think they saved about 7 dollars there.

So travelling for more than a day by plane and then sitting on a bus for so long. And they wanted me to teach that night ... hahahha

[fezmond]

Had a very nice direct flight with Korean Air (company wouldn't use anything else). Landed in Incheon and took a while for me to realise the name sign being held up was for me.

Taxi to Mokdong, given the keys to an officetel and told to wait. Boss and secretary came a few hours later and I went off to get some food from 7/11. Two cup ramyeons later I went to bed wondering what the hell I was in for.

[sab2197]

Thank you all for your responses. It took me awhile to actually get back to this post. . . so much has happend since then!

It's been a whirwind, but I think I'm slowly but surely getting the hang of things