Korean Job Discussion Forums

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

The job ad dated April 17 seems too good to be true. Is it? Or, is it just a really good gig, that's out in the country so not many people not want it.

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

It's decent but I wouldn't describe it as 'too good to be true'. It's the universities paying 2 million that are taking the piss. Though I suppose if you get the full 5 months holiday that's some compensation for a part time wage. I noticed Yonsei pay 30,000 an hour overtime. I was just reading Cullen Thomas' story of being banged up here for sending drugs to himself in 1993 and he claimed back then he was making 30 dollars an hour teaching Kindy. So nearly 20 years ago a 23 year old without any experience or qualifications was making more an hour than an experienced MA at a top university does today. That seems 'too bad to be true' to me.

liveinkorea316 · Joined: 20 Aug 2010 Location: South Korea

OP, do you know where Wonju is? I would take most any lower paid uni gig in Seoul before taking that one. It has more money but living in a city of 300,000 can get kinda dull. That could be why they offer almost a million more than Seoul uni's.

Daryl69 · Joined: 30 Aug 2009

Wonju may have been in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do once, but that is no longer true! There are plenty of restaurants, including Thai House, Jesters Pies, loads of bars, Primus, Cinus and Lotte Cinema's. There is a new Lotte Mart and AK Plaza, E-Mart and they are building a Home Plus. Coffee shops have popped up everywhere, both franchises like Holly's, Caffe Bene and Cafe Pascucci and lots of cool independent cafes like Frame Cafe, Cafe Acozza etc. There is an English teacher community exceeding 300. And if you get tired of Wonju, it is a 1.5 hour bus ride to Seoul, or 1.5 hour bus ride to Gangneung and the seaside. The place is not Seoul (for which I am grateful!), but it is hardly lifeless either...

Ralphie · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Location: Beijing, PRC

What Daryl69 posted is true. I really enjoyed my time in Wonju and Seoul is just 1.5 hours away by bus (a good time to snooze considering it takes those living on the outskirts of Seoul nearly an hour on the subway to get to the city center). On the other hand, though beautiful and spacious with lots of green space, the Yonsei Wonju campus is located far away from the entertainment and "downtown" core. I'm not sure how frequent the buses run in this area. I'd imagine instructors will be given housing close to campus, so you either take the housing allowance and find lodgings closer to the core or buy a car.

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

they used to have a bad rep for horrible management and lots of teacher turnover but that was a long time ago. things may have changed.

Wonju aint Seoul but its close and from what I know its not bad. It could be a good way to get your foot in the door and work your way to a univ in Seoul

Daryl69 · Joined: 30 Aug 2009

Yonsei staff live in Maeji-ri opposite the campus, either at the Hyundai apartments, or the Chungsol apartments. So yes, it is out of the city proper. There is no housing allowance, it is supplied. Lots of teachers have bought cars over the years, there is a Facebook page "Wonju English Teachers" where people exchange tips, new places to go, events, and to buy and sell stuff, including cars. Buses go until around 10:30pmish, but taxi's are hardly expensive in Korea. Buses: # 34 runs every 15 minutes, # 31 a little less frequently and # 30 every about 30 minutes. I work at Yonsei as a supervisor and am nearing the end of my 3rd contract. Yonsei is no job paradise, but it isn't hell either. Like anything you get what you put in and I love it here. I am glad to hear that Ralphie enjoyed his time in Wonju, I will miss it when I eventually leave Korea...

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

I've already been working at a uni for 5 years, and need a change. The money for the amount of work at this job is excellent, which is why I'm applying. And, I have been through Wonju a few times on the way to the coast and it is very beautiful.

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

Seon-bee · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Location: ROK

Anyone know what are the students like? Are they on par with Yonsei students in Seoul or is this just a cash cow genererating operation where they take mostly anyone?

Daryl69 · Joined: 30 Aug 2009

jlb, if you have a Masters in English/TESOL/Applied Linguistics and 5 years of uni teaching experience then apply, you would certainly qualify! I have never worked in Seoul and have never had any wish to, still to each their own...

Yonsei Wonju students are very good quality, another reason why I have no interest in working anywhere else. When I leave Yonsei I leave Korea.

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

My Masters is unrelated. But, I do have a Celta + 5 years experience (with excellent recommendations) so I certainly fit into their "Category 2." It just depends on how many "Category 1" apps they get I guess. Plus, I'm a young-ish, North American female, which seems to be in high-demand these days at unis.

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

So none of you guys care that you'd be getting a lower hourly rate of pay than a 23 year old backpacker back in 1993? Just curious

jlb · Joined: 18 Sep 2003

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

Yeah I said the pay was decent but I was just wondering how universities have got away with paying so little for overtime for so long. 15 hours a week for 3.5 million means you should be getting close to 60,000 an hour overtime. Doesn't anyone complain about it? No, I suppose people would be too worried about losing their jobs. In my mind the main advantage of unis is you can do extra work in the free time and holidays and make a really good living as opposed to a good one. 30,000 an hour makes that side of it less attractive.