Korean Job Discussion Forums

danseonsaeng · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Can anyone talk to me about the experience of working in Jeju w/ EPIK?

How's the lifestyle? Climate?

Is it at all difficult to get placed in Jeju?

Let me know, thanks.

- Dan

danseonsaeng · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

A specific question for those folks w/ experience:

Is it difficult to get placed in Jeju with EPIK? I'm assuming those who apply early, those with experience, and those who are attractive (wink wink) will have the best chance of getting accepted and placed in Jeju, correct?

I'm currently working with SMOE at a middle school in Nowongu; was considering making the switch to EPIK in a year. I'll have been with SMOE for two years at that point, and I'll have completed a CELTA certificate program.

How're my odds?

n�fara · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Location: The Island

I hear there are about 40 positions available for Jeju in September 2009. Sometimes there are fewer openings in March, but it just depends on who re-signs for another year. In total, there are over 100 EPIK teachers on the island. This number might be closer to 150, 'cause, well, I'm just not sure and the POE website's not available atm.

What are the odds that you'd land a position here? Well, I'm sure applying early will get your foot in the door. Experience and CELTA qualifications are nice, but I do not think they are a necessity, as I've seen people with zero experience arrive on the island, although this year saw more experienced teachers come over.

Good looks are probably a plus, considering every teacher is expected to be a model for the swimsuit calender that goes out every year. It's a fundraiser for the POE, so they try to pick the best looking teachers. A bit of a hassle, but at least you get some days off to for the photo shoot at some of the nice beaches on the island.

The climate on Jeju is nice. May is beautiful, summer is hot and often humid, autumn is awesome, and this past winter we had snow, and not just on Hallasan. I hear the air can be cleaner than on the mainland due to being surrounded by the sea, but this spring was a bit hazy at times.

As for lifestyle, it's probably more laid back than Seoul and, depending on where you are placed, you could either be working in the city, or our in some small town in the countryside (or possibly both, if you have multiple schools).

n�fara · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Location: The Island

For anyone who might search and find this short thread sometime in the future (if that's even possible with the current search function) one of the above mentioned points isn't quite true.

The POE actually invites us to go swimming in January, sans calendar.

kprrok · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Location: KC

I'd say getting placed in Jeju isn't that easy. I applied for a March start and was told there was no place for me (5 years in-country experience with elementary students, own housing, F-2 (at the time) visa, and a TESOL certificate in the works).

I saw that the same e-mail was sent to a list of about 20 applicants. It may be different though for September as I've heard several teachers are leaving b/c of the stupidity of certain EPIK administrators down here.