Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kayson]

I noticed no one answered the post on "how are winter camps." It was probably too general a question. I would imagine the quality of the camps probably varies as much as the hagwons. But on one of the other threads it mentions that newbees can get burned at the camps.

I'm teaching over in Paris and it tends to be really slow in the City of Lights during the late December/January. I was thinking of trying to get a taste of the wild, wild west ESL over in Korea for a couple of weeks. I haven't done much research yet, but I'm thinking how bad can it be for a couple of weeks? Yet I'm sure there is someone out there thinking "you have no idea.... "

Can anyone get me started? It is realistic (or even possible) to get a short term visa, come out ahead on the cost (it would be about 1200 dollars or so for me to fly over) and come away with any meaningful experience in three or four weeks? Or are the camps a better deal for people that have been in country for a while?

If my qualifications matter I have the minimum, a bachelor's, CELTA and some experience teaching adults, no kiddies thus far...

[jaganath69]

I've only taught 2 at the one institution, but my experiences have been totally positive. The camp is run by a university language centre and the managment of the whole event is professional. The worst thing that can happen, from stories I have heard here and elsewhere, is that you can end up getting burnt on payment or being dudded on the old hours/class hours bait and switch, that is they count 40 min lessons as 40 mins and not a full hour, drastically lowering your pay and increasing your workload. As about this protocol before you go. As for the temporary visa, its a C4 and is relatively straightforward to get. Quals generally don't matter as they are looking to fill the spots, which can be hard to do. With yours though, you would be eminently qualified. Hope this helps.

[Ekuboko]

Just so you know -- you get taxed a lot on what you earn if you are on the C4 - my friend got ping'd, but I think she was able to get it back once she had her Alien Registration card (she stayed on to find a job).

[kayson]

Thanks for the replies... more work for less pay definitely doesn't give me that warm and fuzzy feeling. I would have no intention of staying on, just want to dip my toes in the water, and it might also help with a future application when I am done here.

As far as the taxes, I thought I read somewhere that Americans didn't get taxed for Korean salaries, but if I need to get an Alien registration card and stay on to make that happen, it could be a problem.

It in any case it does seem doable, but I'm not sold on the idea. It might be better to wait until the summer camps when I have a little more pocket money au cas ou...

thanks again

[wire]

edited

[kayson]

yep, that's me all right.....I'm a single guy and I think I would like kids, but if I had one of those condom commercial experiences.....

Yet another reason to try a few weeks rather than plunge in for a year

[rvintage]

Americans definitley get taxed!

I think camps are good for in between jobs or if you work at uni's or public schools that don't have camps. Otherwise I think you'll end up with a lot of work and not much money.

Good Luck!

[kayson]

hmmm.....lots of taxes, lots of work, little money, the camps aren't sounding too inviting at the moment.

I'm used to not making of lot of money, the salaries in Paris are pretty crappy, especially compared to the cost of living. And from mid December until late January I probably won't make enough here to buy a croissant. So, even if I came out just a few bucks ahead it might be worth the effort, considering the experience I would get. But I am used to working 20 to 25 hours a week, a lot of one-on-one classes, a few groups, but all adults so I never have to be a disciplinarian. I gather that Korea would be quite the adjustment for a zen-minded person like me....
What's Korean for "PLEASE untie me now and put down that torch"...