Korean Job Discussion Forums

lza · Joined: 13 Nov 2004

Ok. I need some help. After graduating college, my English conversation partner invited me to move to Seoul. After I said, I'd look into it, within a week she had found me a job at the hakwon she works at and insisted that I live with her. So, I totally took her up on the invitation. What better way to learn about Korea than with a cultural interpretor as well as someone to help me out with the langauge and my job. However, after I moved here, it seems that having a Korean friend at your hakwon doesn't elminate problems, instead I have had an endless series of difficulties becuase of the complete incompetence of the owners, including problems with them endlessly delaying sending me to Japan to get my visa and "forgetting" to do paper work, etc. Unfortunately, even though they speak English, they have put all the stress of these problems on my friend to interpret and deal with and refuse to deal directly with me. On top of all this, my friend has been dealing with some serious family problems and, as I came to find out after my arrival, chronic depression. She stopped wanting to talk to me or do anything with me weeks ago. I have tried to live as quietly and respectfully as possible, aware that she has much stress. But, we share a studio apartment, so there is no space for her to be alone. She finally confided in me that she can't live with me becuase when she comes home she wants to be "herself", alone and not have to make eye contact with anyone, let alone speak to anyone. I feel horrible that my coming has only added to her problems instead of been someone to share her culture with, as well as be a friend. I respect her need to be alone and I think if I move out as soon as possible we will be able to maintain a friendship before her unhappiness is completely represented by my presence. I am kinda overwhelmed by everything right now and this website is the only one I'm familiar with, so I'm not even sure how to look for a room to sublet. I don't need much space. I just have my headphones, some books and two suitcases. I have gotten over the textbook culture shock, so I'm back to feeling like I want to make the most of this experience. But, I need to find a little home somewhere before I can feel secure enough to really take everything in. I don't want to be a burden. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

sounds like you need to find a "Goshiwon"- a place where you rent rooms by the month, cheap, small- but the fee includes rice, kimchi, use of a communal kitchen.

Sometimes they're called "Goshitel"
��ÿ� or �� I think is the correct spelling in hangeul?

lza · Joined: 13 Nov 2004

Where can I find these places?

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

they're very very common around universities, in the centre of town (gwanghwamun, seoul station etc.), and pretty much everywhere I think. Just look around the area you are in (where is that?) and the chances are you'll spot one pretty soon.

Normally on the upper levels of buildings on main streets, and the word that was beeped out was "Gosh itel"

lza · Joined: 13 Nov 2004

I am currently living in and teaching in Daechi-dong. The main area around here seems to be COEX and ... I'm thinking I should look in another area????

Cedar · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:55 pm Post subject:

lza,

Goshiwon aren't hard to find near your nearest university. Find the uni, walk around it about 2 blocks away from it, preferably on the smaller streets. Look for the Korean sign ��ÿ� (more common than Goshitel). You can find them usually for around 200,000 won a month, but you must be utterly quiet, shared bathroom, often no kitchen at all...

good luck,

Cedar

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

log off, walk outside, look at the buildings. I think you'd find something within the first hour or two.

Or ask your korean friend to help.

Here's a good thread for more info on this stuff

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=32410&highlight=gosiwon

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I know a few Go-shi-wons in the Daechi-dong area.

PM me if you want me to show you where.

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

Dude, sharing a studio apartment would make anyone depressed! Bad idea. People do that in New York City (Manhattan). You know why? Because it costs $2,000 a month! This is Korea! Most teachers live in sweet office-tels with everything paid for except utilities. Your hogwan should put you up in a private studio or at least a 2 bedroom shared with another teacher. Until you can get up to speed, stay in a goshiwan or one of those dives in Haebangchan without the key money. There are plenty of threads to search for temporary housing. Bon chance, amigo.

kangnam mafioso · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: Teheranno

did you figure out what to do?

shakuhachi · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: Sydney

That is good advice from Swiss James.

You should make all haste and not tarry in your move. As for you bosses refusing to talk to you, dont accept information through a third person. Instead tell the third person they use that you are not willing to listen to the message.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

If you didnt go on a visa run yet, your job is not legal and you can leave tomorrow.
I know shome schools have teachers share, but none of them share studios.

There are a ton of jobs here, go find another one, it will take you a week.
good luck.