Korean Job Discussion Forums

[seasghost]

I have taken a job at a school in Masan, South Korea , starting in November.
How is banking done in S. Korea? Is it just as easy as it is in the US?

I know I dont' have to pay rent , but i am responsible for the utilities....In general how much are the utilities every month?

Thank you

[John Henry]

[SirFink]

Your employer should help you set up a bank account. I'm lucky in that my bank's manager speaks English well and his son is one of my students, so he's always quick to offer help and I haven't had any problems with banking. I pay my bills at the bank. You just go up to the counter with the bill and the cash to pay it and hand it to the teller and she takes care of it.

Many ATMs have a button for English. You should get a check card for your account which should work just about everywhere. It's even called "chake-uh cah-duh."

Try to learn Korean numbers ASAP though holding up your fingers will get you by just fine.

[SPINOZA]

Expect to pay 100k per month for utilities (on average, so more in extremes of temperature) and consider it very cheap rent. Two-thirds of that will be a 'management fee' - a stupid fee in my view, but deemed part of the utilities and therefore your responsibility.

Banking is weird at first because - unlike our countries - there are only so many places you can use any old visa/mastercard/Amex card. Bring cash for your first couple of weeks.

Utilities are paid either as above or via a machine. Takes a bit of getting used-to but someone at the bank will help you. There's always a dude whose job it is to walk around, help and direct people.

[cdninkorea]