Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alwynjo]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me what Cheongdam is like?
The recruiter says:
"Near by the school, there is Han river which is the best famouse rive in Korea. Beside of river there are a lot of nice place to enjoy. I"m sure that you guys will be happy to live.. Even I want to live there, but it's so expensive for getting housing."

Also - I have read over the contract - it doesnt seem too bad...except how normal is the following?

3.5 Visa application fee subsidy: Employer agrees to pay employee, upon arrival in Korea, 50,000 Won to help defray the visa application fees. Any contracts less than one year will be prorated.

and

4.3 Employee agrees to a deduction of 200,000 Won per month from the first three months of employment totaling 600,000 Won as housing management deposit. This deposit is to cover any unpaid monthly service, utility, and telephone charges at the completion of this contract and/or resignation or dismissal of the employee before the termination of this contract. Employer agrees that payment of remaining amounts of the deposit will be made to employee within ten days after all outstanding monthly service, utility, and telephone charges have been paid.


thanks

[chronicpride]

Cheongdam is one of Seoul's richest areas and is in a nice central area near lots of shopping and nightlife, like Apgujeong, Rodeo Drive, and not far from the big COEX entertainment/shopping complex. You won't be short on things to do, as it's a hip area.

There's also a good Korean Language Institute in the area, if you want to pick up the local language.

As for your contract provisions, the visa application coverage is something that ECC has a tendency to put in their contracts, along with that housing deposit. I don't know if you are looking at the ECC that's there, but if it is, you can do far worse. But just make sure you talk to the teacher who you are replacing and any other current and past teachers, before signing anything.

I've noticed on the boards that recruiters are also currently pushing a small school named A4 school, located in the same area. If that's the one, be extra diligent in your research and questions with them, as small schools can often be not very stable and/or have limited experience in dealing with foreign staff.

[mithridates]

A4? That's where I work. Well, one floor above the school that is. They're not looking for any teachers right now...

[chronicpride]

Oh. Ok. Well, I remember seeing the ads for kyopos that were running a few weeks ago.

[mithridates]

Yeah, we have a gyopo and a normal Korean teaching here plus one American guy. Classes below have four or five students and it's super easy but the place only advertises positions some once every six months or so. I don't think they'll need a teacher for some time now.
Maybe.

[alwynjo]

Its called the International accademy.

Thanks guys for your info and your help. Sadly, the recruiter misunderstood about when I wanted to start, and this job starts about 20 days too early - so back looking again...
shame though - it was a good job