Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Frigg]

I just spent a very frustrating weekend visiting public schools via bus. When I am told a two bedroom apartment will be provided that is what I expect. Why do people not understand this? Why am I expected to be happy when I am shown a one bedroom apartment? I thoroughly explained that I am married and would not accept one bedroom housing. I am very open about the location of the school. The schools tried to tell me that the livingroom is a bedroom. I am really unhappy about the deception. How can they expect anyone to sign a contract after being lied to so blatantly? Please give me some insight. Thanks and sorry for the rant.

[pkang0202]

Cost of housing is insane. You can try and find your own housing and then get the monthly stipend from your school.

Honestly, I don't see how someone can get preferential treatment just because they are married unless their spouse is also a public school teacher. If both you and your wife are teaching then I see no problem with getting an apartment 2 maybe 3 times bigger than the average 6 pyeong one-room.

If you are the only teacher and your wife is going to do something else then I don't see why the school just has to provide 2 bedroom housing.

[nobbyken]

Gyeonggi Public schools offer 2 roomed housing for married teachers.
Have they offered a 2 roomed place?
Is the wording in the contract 2 bedroomed, or 2 roomed.

The living room in Korean places could be considered the entrance and cooking area.

Do you have any children?

Our place has the entrance/cooking area(living room^^), and 2 adjacent rooms. There is also a toilet/shower room and standard laundry area.

Small compared to Western standards.

한국 어서 오세요
(Welcome to Korea)

[xCustomx]

Sorry this is a little off-topic, but do the public schools actually check to see if you're married or could you just tell them that you're married and request a 2 bedroom apartment? I'm planning on moving into school provided housing in October and wonder if I could pull this off.

[Frigg]

The contract and contact person both said two bedrooms not two rooms. I am not new to Korea. The reason they provide larger housing is because nobody wants to live in a tiny place. Single people get a certain amount of space and so should married people. These small towns have to offer something to attract teachers.

[The_Conservative]

[some waygug-in]

Where I work, married couples (who are both teaching) get 2 small apartments, because there are no larger ones available... Or at least that's what we've been told.

[pest2]

As far as I can tell, there aren't too many standards about housing for public school jobs.. It can really blow or it can be decent or it can be anywhere in between. In my province, some people got 2 bedroom apartments with full bathroom and kitchen while others got a studio with no consistent hot water, bathroom sink, washing machine, or heater... They dont standardize anything so you cant really make the argument, "its not fair if he got X because I only got Y". You just have to play it prudently and take the best you can get.

If the school said 2 bedroom and its only a bedroom, dont go there. Of course they're going to try to tell you a room=a bedroom in order to get you to sign... ITS KOREA! They're funny like that. Just play it smart and dont go to a school until you find a place that suits you. If you keep trying to find a place that actually has 2 bedrooms but can't after a certain amount of time, just give up or move to any one of 6 or 7 other Asian countries where it is easy and common to get a 2 bedroom apt as an English teacher (but realize you wont save money like you do here), or stay and deal with a small, craapy korean-style living situation...

[Frigg]

Thanks for the replies. I have told these recruiters that I will not sign anything until I see the school, meet the co-teacher, and see the housing. I now know why the recruiters have been apprehensive about this. I feel sorry for teachers that sign a contract from overseas. One school even told me that another room would double the cost of the apartment and that it is not "moving season". They said that newlyweds in Korea typically live in a small one bedroom apartment. They wrongly assumed that I am a newlywed because I do not have children. I am happy that these schools are offering me a position, but I do not appreciate the "misunderstanding". Saying that I have a great personality and will fit in well is NOT going to replace a missing room! I will continue trying until I find a good school.

[La Gringa]

I am getting ready to sign a contract with a recruiter to work in a high school in Geongsangbuk.
Number 1 -I don't know where it will be.
Number 2- I have no idea about the housing.

I don't want to live isolated in a village Korea in a dump. So should I stipulate the town I want to live in and that I will walk if the apt is not suitable?
Or should I just come to Korea and go where I want and get a job in August?

[mrsquirrel]

Can the mods not do something about oversized avatars?

Most other forums limit the size. Surely it can't be that difficult to do.

[venus]