Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Songbird1979]

Anyone heard of this school? I have just been offered a contract- the director seems very keen on me with my experience in China and back at home. However, I will be the only foreign teacher there (but have been there's lots of other FT's in Pohang). I have the address of the current teacher (incidentally not working, tried 3 times!) so I'm ready to suss the place out as much as possible.

Standard contract, 2 mil, accomodation, 10 days holiday- HOWEVER, I'm not allowed to take it all in one hit, and the contract itself says I cannot even take 5 consective days at a time, only 2-3 days. I don't mind TOO much, but it will be a pain if I wanted to go away for several days, say to Seoul or something. Though given the location I'm in China at the moment I'd say it's not too bad- I am in a village 8 hours travel from the nearest decent city (Xian)- so am I whingeing too much??

Thanks for the help

[ahopfe]

hi there

Yeah, I have heard of the School.

I havent heard of anything bad about it but then again i have only been in Pohang 6 months.

I was in Zhengzhou ( about 8 hours train ride from Xian ) before I came to Pohang. One thing you will enjoy here is that there is more night life ( if your into it ) than I ever found in most Chinese cities.

I will do some investigating around town , where some FT meet and try to get the low down on the School.

[Songbird1979]

Thanks muchly

[jlb]

If they won't let you take your holidays in 2, 1 week hits, just say no! That will really suck if you want to do any sort of international travel.

[Songbird1979]

JLB, I've thought it over, and thinking maybe it's not so bad. It's only 10 days all up anyway (like most positions)- hardly time to really go anywhere and soak it up! They've said in the contract it'll be 2-3 days in both summer & winter, I'm chatting tomorrow with them, so I'm going to try and negotiate the other 4 days left be CONSECUTIVE, in between 2 weekends and one of the 1 day public holidays, and I'll agree to their bits.

Last call for anyone knowing anything about the school, director etc.......I'm pretty close to signing my life away!!

[ahopfe]

It looks like its cool , no one hear that i have spoken to has anything bad to say about the school , but we are trying to work out which FT in town you could be replacing ,

I would try to get aleast 4 days in row as holidays , It does make travelling alot easier.

[Songbird1979]

Ahopfe,

I'm one step ahead of you , I've been told it's an Irishman named Ryan, however, his email address doesn't seem to be responding whenever I email - perhaps if you know him you could check his email??

Thanks, you're too brilliant!

[Songbird1979]

Eeeek, I have another question- the position is in Kyungbuk (I think, reading straight off the contract)- just how CLOSE to Pohang city is it? I have been reading another thread about Pohang and people are saying soem positions aren't actually in Pohang, they're way out in villages, heaven forbid, I don't want to be in the same position as this year!

[hellofaniceguy]

I'm all for getting what YOU want or don't sign. Simple enough. Let another person be suckered into it.
You want to be happy in your position...it'll make the job easier.
You'll have enough headaches as it is and you'll end up hating/resenting the job if you signed having no recourse.
And being the only FT....more stress.
No...I'd look elsewhere and tell the director why.