Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alicat_blue]

I just got here about three weeks ago. I was hooked up with my school through a recruiting agency in my home country and really had no idea what to expect. When I got here I found that I worked in a small town that looks like a cross between an industrial wasteland and a truckstop, there's virtually nothing here. Seoul is about forty minutes away, via bus and then subway. My apartment is on the edge of town and I have to take a bus to my school. I get paid about 2 million won and teach thirty eight classes a week at forty minutes apiece. I get six paid holidays for the year and four more paid holidays in conjunction with the schools'. Is this a normal situation? I hate the shitehole that I live in, it's called Dukso and I feel like with the holiday situation I'll never be able to take more than a day or two off here and there. I would love some comments from anyone who is more familiar with the work situation in Korea than I am.

[Ekuboko]

THIRTY-EIGHT CLASSES???

[the eye]

well, sorry to hear about your situation.
i'd offer the opinion that it is on the far, far, far negative side of normal.

did you do any research before you relocated?

[Daechidong Waygookin]

[alicat_blue]

Well, I guess I am ultimately the one to blame. But my recruiter seemed like a straight up fellow and I had told him what my ideal situation was. I guess I got played for a fool. Anyways, he's told me that he'll try to find a different place for me if I'm truly unhappy here, in Dukso that is. I guess I'll tell him that's what I want. I can't really set off on my own because I'm broke or I'd tell everyone to just kiss my buttocks and ride into the sunset.

[eamo]

[bosintang]

HI alicat,

nevermind the regular jaded holier-than-thou morons (they know who they are)...they can't help themselves but to feel superior whenever someone else makes a mistake.

First off, ditch the recruiter. You have a few other options:

1) It's a hard option, but you could try to convince your director that you made a severe mistake, were mislead by your recruiter, and see if they wil give you a release letter. You will probably still have to remain a couple of months, but if your director will give you a release letter, you could move somewhere else in Korea and get a new job.

2) Take your first paycheque and leave.

3) If you're determined to stick it out in your situation, one suggestion I have is to get involved in something. One thing you could do is take up a martial arts. You can get around the language barrier, and that on top of 38 classes a week will definitely keep you busy.

Have you signed a contract yet? Did you get your E2 visa?

[casey's moon]

I agree with Eamo. Things might get better somehow, but if they don't, it's not worth spending a ridiculously awful year here. I also think that before you make any decisions, you could try talking to your director about the fact that you aren't happy with your situation and see if s/he is willing to make any compromises with you.

I agree that you screwed up by not researching it more, but on the other hand you probably thought that you could trust your director. Even if it was your mistake, you don't have to suffer for it for a full 12 months.

[chronicpride]

That's rough. Hope you're not at the Ewha in that town. There was a bad, albeit vague, report on here about them once. I suppose that environment is ideal for getting down with your Korean side, learning the language, etc...and having time to yourself and writing, and whatnot, but not much for anyone that is looking for more social interaction. Hope you can find a solution that suits you. Keep your chin up until that opportunity comes along.

[alicat_blue]

Well, my director pretty much told me that if I don't like it here than I can leave. And I am at the ewha. I am pretty scared about ditching my recruiter because I'm still pretty new to things here. I haven't gotten a work visa yet, I'm due to go next week.

[Captain Corea]

I have a feeling you're at the new Ehwa branch that just opened up near my place.

I moved to Dok-so recently and I just might know where you're working. If it is the same place then yeah, I do feel for ya. It's quite the jaunt to get into Seoul. A 30 min bus ride then subway to whereever.

I wish I could say that I'd show you around, but I really don't know the place that well. Heck, i'm not even sure if it is the same place. Is it about a 25 min ride outta jamsil? Kinda on the the way out to yang-peyoung resort (past walker hill?)?



(edit: I just read everyone responses and although I believe "running" is a viable option, i'm not sure it is justified in this case. The school you can only do so much about BUt if it is the area I am living in the I am sure the coming of spring could help. The water out here is great and the clean air is .... well, a change for me :cough: )

[Wangja]

[alicat_blue]

I do work at the new branch. And I know what people are saying by getting a lot of writing in and learning the language, etc. I've thought of all that stuff myself. The town is just so grim, and my chances of seeing the countryside so slim that I wonder if it's even worth it to stick around.

[Koreabound2004]

Oh boo hoo....being 40 min outside Seoul...what a crock...I am 3 hours from a major city, and 5 hours from Seoul....and low and behold, I am still alive....I am in my own truckstop...and it's not all that bad.

You will survive ..............and if you really almost die...then maybe next time you will do your research, and make sure this doesn't happen again....

You can dooooooooooo it!

[Captain Corea]

Um.. aren't you supposed to be working right now? hehe, it's 5:40 Hogwon primetime (not that it's really my business or not). I was actually gonna walk by the place on my way into town to give it a dirty look for ya (for not sending you on your visa run while there's banner ALL over town asking people to report illegal teaching).