Korean Job Discussion Forums

[skate_of_mind]

Hi, I am going to come to South Korea in January to teach but I have quite a lot of questions to ask about the whole thing. I've gone through the forums and got some great info from all the posts but there's some other things I'd like to know and also some of the topics and replies are quite old on the other posts, so here goes:

Getting a Job and Moving Out to Korea:
1) Should I go through and agency to get a job? Will an agency take a percentrage of my wage for using their service?
2)Will my airfare be paid for in advance, or will I have to pay it and get reimbursed? (quite important as I am saving now for start-up costs)
3)Sometimes it can take me a while to attune my ear to someone speaking English with an accent. If i am given a telephone interview, am I likely to casue offence if I have to ask the interviewer to repeat questions etc.
4)What do you think an acceptable amount of time off (paid holidays)
5)I'm assuming I will be paid at the lower end of the scale. Will I be able to live on 800 000 per month (I want to save 1 000 000 per month). How comfortably can you live off of 800 000pm?
6)I have a BA Drama and Theatre Arts, and I am interested in teaching children from the age of 7-16. How likely will I get a job like this?
7)I'm undecided about where to move to - I like city living but I also really enjoy nature and wildlife - mountains, lakes, rives, coastline - where would be a good place to move to?

Living:
1)pros and cons of living in a single/shared apartment. What did you prefer?
2)What is a typical apartment like? Does anyone have any photos they'd like to share?
3)Will I have to buy utensils, blankets, pots and pans and plates, lamps etc when I get there?
4)How good are the heating systems?
5)WHat should I expect to pay monthy for gas and electricity, water etc. Do I have to pay seperatly for garbage pickup, or is it included in tax?
6)How much does broadband cost?

Lifestyle:
1)Until what time do people generally go out until at night (ie. when's last orders?)
2)What is Korean beer really like?
3)Apart from the deoderant, what else should I bring (Eg. tampons)
4)where's good to go snowboarding and how much does it cost?
5)Do they have tae-kwon-do classes just for foreigners? ( i don't want to be shown up in a class of adults, or have to join a kids beginner class)
6)How much should I expect to pay for a basic CD player?
7)WHat are the necessities to bring clothing wise?

ANd finally (my favorite question) what are the top 3 things you would absolutly recommend doing while in Korea?

I'd like to thank everyone in advance who took the time to read my questions, and give some answers.

Cheers!!

Cheryl

[heydelores]

I left out the questions I really can't comment on. Hope this is helpful.

[cuckoococoon]

[laogaiguk]

I will try to add more later, but...

DO NOT ACCEPT SHARED HOUSING FOR ANY REASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Moldy Rutabaga]

It's a blatant plug, but look at my guide to ESL in Korea.

Ken:>

[sheba]

1) Should I go through and agency to get a job? If you do, use several agencies at once, preferably ones that have been reccommended by other teachers.
Will an agency take a percentrage of my wage for using their service? NO!! If they say that is standard, DO NOT USE THEM.

2)Will my airfare be paid for in advance, or will I have to pay it and get reimbursed? Either can be expected, but I couldnt afford it and thats what I told my potential emplyers... Ive heard of a lot of people never being reimbursed.

3)Sometimes it can take me a while to attune my ear to someone speaking English with an accent. If i am given a telephone interview, am I likely to casue offence if I have to ask the interviewer to repeat questions etc? As long as youre not rude it will be fine.

4)What do you think an acceptable amount of time off (paid holidays)? I wouldnt accept less than 10 paid weekdays per year in a hagwon. Public schools usually get several months.

5)I'm assuming I will be paid at the lower end of the scale. Will I be able to live on 800 000 per month (I want to save 1 000 000 per month). How comfortably can you live off of 800 000pm? Thats plenty to live off, though it depends on what you spend your money on. If you go to western restaurants, travel to other cities often, or call internationally a lot then it could be cutting it tight. If you are very cautious with your money then it will be heaps! I live off 1 million a month, and I go out every weekend (dinner, drinks etc), go out for lunch a couple times a week, and travel about once a month.

However, I think you should not accept a salary of less than 2mil won a month.

6)I have a BA Drama and Theatre Arts, and I am interested in teaching children from the age of 7-16. How likely will I get a job like this? Most jobs are in the 5-12 age group, so it shouldnt be a prob.

7)I'm undecided about where to move to - I like city living but I also really enjoy nature and wildlife - mountains, lakes, rives, coastline - where would be a good place to move to? I like Busan... Ive heard Ulsan is good too. Both are by the beach and practically everywhere is close to a mountian.

1)pros and cons of living in a single/shared apartment. What did you prefer? Everyone Ive met who has shared an apartment was either driven insane by their flatmate or if they were friends, preferred their own space anyway. I havent met a person who was happier sharing an apartment. Living together, working together, and socialising together can be hell!!

2)What is a typical apartment like? Does anyone have any photos they'd like to share? The smaller the city, the bigger the apartment. I live in a town and have a 2 bedroom apt to myself. Two girls I know here have a 2 bedroom apt, and a 3 bedroom apt to themselves as well. My friend in the Seoul lives in a small studio unit. It should be completely furnished - bed, tv, fridge, closet etc

3)Will I have to buy utensils, blankets, pots and pans and plates, lamps etc when I get there? My boss was nice enough to replace all these things before I moved in. Not sure about other people though.

4)How good are the heating systems? The underfloor heating takes a while to heat up and then stays hot long after you want it.... can be expensive too. I paid 20,000 won for a fan heater and that works wonders.

5)WHat should I expect to pay monthy for gas and electricity, water etc? Gas is cheap, but some places have oil, which can be expensive. My bills have been anywhere from 1-10,000 won for gas, 5-50,000 for electricity (It was 50,000 won once in the peak of summer thanks to my air conditioning, but usually about 15,000). I dont way for water, just the gas that is used to heat it. I also have to pay for apartment maintenance, which is about 40,000 won a month (cleaning the stairwell, fixing lights etc).

Do I have to pay seperatly for garbage pickup, or is it included in tax? I dont pay separately for garbage pickup, I think its included in my apt maintenance.

6)How much does broadband cost? I pay 20,000 won

1)Until what time do people generally go out until at night (ie. when's last orders?) The bar I go to closes when they feel like it.... usually 6-7am depending on how mnay people are there and how tired they are. I never used to stay out that late, but somehow it just happens here!

2)What is Korean beer really like? I dont drink beer, but I heard its weaker than other places.

3)Apart from the deoderant, what else should I bring (Eg. tampons) Almost all things are available in Seoul. I go there ever 2 months or so to stock up. If there is a special brand of anything you reaaaaaally like then bring it with you.

4)where's good to go snowboarding and how much does it cost? No idea.

5)Do they have tae-kwon-do classes just for foreigners? ( i don't want to be shown up in a class of adults, or have to join a kids beginner class) Ive heard they do this in the big cities.

6)How much should I expect to pay for a basic CD player? Basic - 30,000 and up??

7)WHat are the necessities to bring clothing wise? If you are S-M size you can easily buy clothes here. If you are bigger than that, you can find clothes in Seoul. If you arrive in winter make sure you have a warm LINED coat.... the wind is soooo cold. Bring smart casual clothes for work.

what are the top 3 things you would absolutly recommend doing while in Korea? Go to some festivals (Andong mask festival was my favorite), Go to a temple in the mountains, make friends with some Koreans.... [/quote]

[maryb]

I brought my snowboard here and back to the states 2 years in a row. I heard such horror stories about the slopes here that I never actually went. I.e., the lines for the lifts are longer than the time on the slope, the lift ticket is reasonable but with everything else (lodging, transportation, etc. ) it can be pricey.

Im a "smaller" girl but I still have trouble finding clothes that fit well. the shirts are usually cut for woman with small b00bs so they can be tight and Im only a b size.

Bring shoes that you can take on and off easily. You will be doing this alot.

[i_teach_esl]

should you decide to use a recruiter, there are posts here of people who write about positive experiences.

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=65856&highlight=recruiters

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=65372&highlight=recruiters

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=66017&highlight=recruiters

when you do get a contract, there is a forum here where people post and get feedback about it:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=59265

best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

[Mr. BlackCat]

Shared Housing? JUST SAY NO! There are a lot of weirdos who come here and you don't want to be stuck in a house AND office with them. The cons totally outweigh the pros even if you get along with the person. Living near your co-workers is a good idea, however, for cabs and hanging out.

You should go see a football game here in Seoul, preferably the national team.