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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Streetdogger
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Location: Korea
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 Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 10:30 am Post subject: first timer in korea need some advice |
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hello everyone, i was wondering if you could give me a little advice on whereabouts i should be looking for work in korea. Just a little background info, i'll be travelling alone, i'm 24 and single and am looking for an exciting place to live which ideally would be surrounded by lots of other foreign teachers. 2 of my very good friends finished their contracts this past month and raved about their experience, but their message was clear, living in downtown seoul would be the ultimate experience for someone in my situation. Therefore I have been looking by and large for a teaching job as close as I can to the Hongdae area, since I have heard and read so many amazing stories about it. Does anyone else feel that this is the ideal setting that I should be looking for?
One other thing, I have been in contact with a recruiter from named Kristy from ATC and she has recommended 2 jobs that she feels would interest me.
1) SOT Gwanak, near Seoul National University
2) Seodaemun ECC
Does anyone have any info or recommendations that would be helpful? Is ATC a reliable recruiting agency?
I greatly appreciate anyone's response, thanks for your time and comments.
Mike |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject: Re: first timer in korea need some advice |
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| Streetdogger wrote: |
hello everyone, i was wondering if you could give me a little advice on whereabouts i should be looking for work in korea. Just a little background info, i'll be travelling alone, i'm 24 and single and am looking for an exciting place to live which ideally would be surrounded by lots of other foreign teachers. 2 of my very good friends finished their contracts this past month and raved about their experience, but their message was clear, living in downtown seoul would be the ultimate experience for someone in my situation. Therefore I have been looking by and large for a teaching job as close as I can to the Hongdae area, since I have heard and read so many amazing stories about it. Does anyone else feel that this is the ideal setting that I should be looking for?
One other thing, I have been in contact with a recruiter from named Kristy from ATC and she has recommended 2 jobs that she feels would interest me.
1) SOT Gwanak, near Seoul National University
2) Seodaemun ECC
Does anyone have any info or recommendations that would be helpful? Is ATC a reliable recruiting agency?
I greatly appreciate anyone's response, thanks for your time and comments.
Mike |
The public transportation system in Seoul is 2nd to none. Within Seoul it really makes no difference when it comes to being close to night life.
ATC is a recruiting agency. They get paid (by the school) for introducing a warm body (you) to a school - nothing more, nothing less.
If you are looking for a babysitter to look out for your best interests, there isn't one. Think of recruiters like used car salesmen and you will be fine.
When you do get a contract, post it here and get some feedback BEFORE you sign on the dotted line. |
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Qinella
Joined: 25 Feb 2005
Location: the crib
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| Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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I don't agree with Ttompatz. It does make a difference where you live. For example, would you rather live a 10 minute walk or a 10 minute walk to the bus stop, a ten minute wait, and a 30 minute ride away from where you want to go? My neighborhood is massively boring. I feel like I'm in a small city when I drive around here.
That being said, I don't think it's very easy to get a job right in the middle of the action.
Seodaemun is okay. Pretty neighborhood, a little boring, but a very nice location near between Hongdae, City Hall, Jongno, and Insadong, which are all happening places.
I have no idea about Gwanak.
What you can do is just ask a recruiter for the name of the nearest subway location of the school, and then look at a Seoul subway map with your friends. Surely they know what's good and what's not. Also, there is much more to consider than location. For example, my friend's hagwon closed down a few weeks ago and he was left stranded. Not a fun deal. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Qinella wrote: |
I don't agree with Ttompatz. It does make a difference where you live. For example, would you rather live a 10 minute walk or a 10 minute walk to the bus stop, a ten minute wait, and a 30 minute ride away from where you want to go? My neighborhood is massively boring. I feel like I'm in a small city when I drive around here.
That being said, I don't think it's very easy to get a job right in the middle of the action.
Seodaemun is okay. Pretty neighborhood, a little boring, but a very nice location near between Hongdae, City Hall, Jongno, and Insadong, which are all happening places.
I have no idea about Gwanak.
What you can do is just ask a recruiter for the name of the nearest subway location of the school, and then look at a Seoul subway map with your friends. Surely they know what's good and what's not. Also, there is much more to consider than location. For example, my friend's hagwon closed down a few weeks ago and he was left stranded. Not a fun deal. |
OK, so I will make more sense here this time (I hope).
Location is NOT the most important criteria when you are choosing your new job.
You may have to wait for a bus or subway but it is much better than waiting an extra 2 weeks (or more) for your pay, working 180 classes per month because that is only 120 hours as calculated by your school or living in a rat and roach infested hole.
Seoul has a great transportation system but there are LOTS of not-so-great schools to work in. Pay attention to your school/job and housing and deal with your social life after.
If your job and house suck, even a great social life (unless you plan to stay dead drunk for a year) won't make it better. |
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