Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

I have read a few peoples' horror stories on here about homestays in Korea- that there was no privacy, curfews, people felt used for English, etc. Well, in spite of this I am still interested in a homestay, and one that is a bit longer-term, about 3 months this summer.

I am a PhD student in the U.S. and I have been to Korea once before (not teaching English, also studying for the summer). I will most likely be studying at Sogang again this coming summer and want to start getting details of my stay lined up. Last time I was in Korea I stayed in a goshiwon right near Sogang, and while this was just fine, it was a bit isolating at times and also a bit expensive (considering that the room was like a shoebox!). This time I am willing to sacrifice convenience (commute time to campus) and privacy in exchange for more of a cultural immersion experience and lower living costs. Being cooked for would be a bonus!

I have heard of native English speakers staying with Korean families for free or nearly free in exchange for tutoring English to their children a few hours a week. This would be ideal for me because I love children and have experience tutoring and teaching ESL/EFL. (I am female, by the way- a lot of people somehow think my username is male). I can get by in Korean now, but living with a family and speaking mostly Korean (except while tutoring) would go a long way in improving the range of my spoken Korean.

Any ideas on how I might set this up? I do have some former students and friends in Korea, but I would rather not impose on them (just in case things didn't work out and the relationship went sour). I am able to post a notice in both Korean and English in online newspapers- which ones should I try? What are some classifieds that people in Seoul tend to check?

Finally, what would be a fair number of hours to teach/converse with kids in exchange for a free room? 2 a week? 4 a week? More?

Thank for your help!

[Mashimaro]

[taobenli]

*Bump*

What Mashimaro says may be true, but I should add that since my PhD research is in a field that encourages immersion (social sciences) a homestay may still be a good idea. I am willing to put in a lot of effort to find a family that is not psycho.

So, if people know of good places to post this kind of thing online, like classifieds sections of online newspapers (homestay wanted ads) for the Korean public, please let me know that. That is my core question. Most of you have spent a lot more time in Korea than I have and know what's out there better.