Korean Job Discussion Forums

[teachinkorea]

I've been looking at every epik post and the website as i like the idea of the program.

However, a few things ive read sound problematic

1. Someone posted that you go to an orientation and then your post is decided on the last dayof your orientation and its like a lottery where u go

2. The contract states saturday work might be involved .Does anyone know if its a 5 or 6 day aweek job for most people?

3. I thought 2.2 million won is a decent salary . Opinions vary _some say its not so great other say its good.Guess it depends on what you're accustomed to in your home country

4. Alot more negative comments than the Jet program

[Wrench]

I like my Epik gig I will stay another year most likely.

[Kimchieluver]

Yes, it is practically a lottery on where you get placed. If you know what city or area you want and apply early, your chances are better to get placed where you requested.

95% of the time you do not work weekends. You may have to come in on the weekends for special ceremonies or various things. It's kind of like being part of the school.

I think the reason a lot of the posts on here are negative because this forum is usually where foreigners vent. Many post in defense of EPIK, but really nobody comes on here constantly to say "Oh I love my job!', or "Oh, I had a great day!".

I love my job with EPIK. I have turned down University jobs (not the greatest by the way) because I like my job so much. And your base salary is just your base salary. You more than likely will be able to work overtime to get some extra pay.

[Satin]

I've also noticed a lot of people don't know what school they will be at until orientation.

Luckily, I all ready know where and what my main school is. I suspect though, an assignment at other schools will be dependent of the overall need. Would prefer just one school but the extra money I'd make is incentive to bite my lower lip and keep quiet.

Kimchieluver Wrote:

[pest2]

Here is a yahoo group for the Gangwon-do EPIK program. It might give you some idea about the goods and bads of the program. If you join the group using a yahoo ID, you can see in "poll" the results of a survey about living and working conditions.


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gangwondo/

[fusionbarnone]

There are plum places in which Busan is one of them that I know of. Best to check out the number of teachers needed for each area(too many leaving ask why) is a good place to start.

Decide on where you may want to go and Call. Than post your resume to the provincial office( The consular person may "save" all applications for Epik before mailing them to head office). If you have to be in first to get a prime location/posting, you may luck out.

Do you have housing requirements like couples who prefer two bedroom apartments? Try to contact the POE guy via email inquiring about the accom. If he answers your qs he's probably willing to work with you. If he doesn't respond at all, you could be dealing with a power-tripping A#$% which won't end with housing concerns and may set a precedent in motion to micro-manage you in every stressful way. Talk to the POE rep. via phone or in person to see how willing the person is in working with you.

POE officials change per annum however a good start is better than a bad one.

Study your contract carefully. Here's a list of dittis from my personal experience.

If you should "win" a clarification request regarding some aspect of your contract expect an attempt at "clawback"regaining revenue back from you.(i.e, that you aren't entitled to two weeks paid vacation between contracts, etc). Be familiar with your contract.

If your have requests or inquiries about something write a short professional letter signed and dated(talk is cheap unless Koreans get you to "promise"). Taxes, etc IRS likes records is a good excuse for demanding something be done/reconsidered regarding hours worked/payments, etc.

If you have a degree(post-grad) from a country other than your home-country don't let them tell you it isn't recognized. It's a ploy to get you to accept lower wages. Don't let that happen. Another "trick" was to say(talk/lip-service ploy) a degree had to be ex amount of time to be eligible for the higher levels.

If you intend to get married, make a copy of your contract(make at least four) in case of "borrowing". So excuses can't be manufactured as to why you can't and wedding time can't be approved(one week for marriage).

Vacations even if you apply well in advance they could be scuttled. With scare tactics; "If you take vacation during school hours than you need to "make" up these hours along with your normal daily schedule"; "If you take one day over your vacation you'll be fired" etc, so as to keep their English vacation program on track as some schools have xmas off bu continue to operate until New Year to which camps(either at school, Edu. centers, or actual away-type camps) kick in.

You will be paid for vacation camps but be clear that you are being paid per hour and not per student. Request copys of the camp contract for taxation purposes .

If you teach at a second school make certain they don't try and up your hours. try to teach 3 minimum because the school may claim you should teach a teachers class too. Get in first. Otherwise you won't be paid for extraq classes(an excuse could be "we don't want to do the paperwork).

If you "misplace" your contract than you'll not have a case against upping of hours, creative accounting(hours paid/kids attending aft-sch. class/holiday class) . For some schools, their excuse is they have never hosted a foreigner before which may be so, just be vigilant and question everything from the get go.

Make copies of all documents you are requested to sign.

Request pay deductions per each month.