Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Wondering]

In Seoul now and SO READY to get out. I want to live in the countryside, but not Korean-standard countryside. I want to live in the sticks, out in the boonies. I'm talking 50,000 is MUCH TOO BIG.

Since I want to make the switch to public schools, I'm getting EPIK'ed. I'm none to pleased with the idea of signing a contract without actually knowing where I'll be living/working. On the application, I can give my preference as to POE, but that's really rather general and vague. I want to narrow it down quite a bit more. How can I do this?

And yes, I'm certain about rural. I do not drink, so have no interest in a nightlife. I do not eat out, so could not care less about available restaurants. I don't want to be so rural that I cannot get internet access, but that's my only requirement.

Also, the recruiter I'm using says that it's standard to work two or more schools if you are rural. Is this true? No way of getting around that? Yeah, yeah, recruiter...had hoped that I could get more info on a location if I went through a recruiter vs. direct through EPIK. Not so, but oh well.

Finally, any current or former EPIKers who worked in a VERY rural area who wouldn't mind a little friendly interrogation, please pm me.

[sconner]

I don't know about EPIK, with GEPIK I was told the location where I would be going( I am still in the states). Is that normal?

[lowpo]

Hi!

I work with Epik in a rural town. For me I live in a really cool town in Gangwon-do.
Around where I live we have rafting, sking, mountains, hiking, and other activities.
Yes, I do teach at 3 different schools. For me it keeps me from going crazy, because I teach at 3 small schools. I have one school that is about 15km away from my home. In the fall, winter, and spring it is a very beautiful bus ride.
If you want to kow more just PM me.

[schwa]

You could try Gangwon EPIK -- it serves quite a few small communities. It hires through both national EPIK & independently but the latter approach would give you greater certainty of getting what you want. PM me for more info.

However, your chance of working in a single school is slim -- some schools have like 50 students total. We're working on getting multiple schools contractually capped at 3 though. Internet no problem.

[poet13]

A convert! Wonderful. Try Kyeong San buk do. The geographic middle of the country is dotted with small towns and villages. Mostly agricultural with mounatinous areas. I'm in EPIK too. If you do get posted to a really small place, you're in for a culture shock. I mean it. Seoul and the countryside are two different worlds. Forget all the notions and suspicions you may have developed about Koreans in the city. In the city, a smile and an anyanghaseyo don't get you far, but out in the country, it's amazing to see peoples faces light up when they see you smile and show a little respect.

[jvalmer]

Specify that you want to go a very rural place. However, programs like EPIK tend to place kyopos in rural area. But, if a non-kyopo wants to go there, I'm sure they'll be happy to accomidate you. However, they may be reluctant, since they might be worried you may pull a runner. Even with more benifits involved, most Korean teachers don't want to be placed in a rural area

With EPIK, if you are placed in a 군 (county), your main school will most definatly be in the largest town in the county. But, your circulating school could be a school with as little as 20 students. I doubt they would place you in such a small school, since they want you exposed to as many students as possible, but who knows...

[xtchr]

I worked for Epik in Jeollabuk-do. Most of the teachers had to go to about 10 schools, but I ended up with 38, and another had 61 schools to 'teach' at.

I really liked living in the countryside, but the job situation was terrible.

[SuperFly]

I'm not a grammar nazi and I don't care what words you use and how you choose to use them.

I looked at your thread title and I caught myself wondering about usage of the words ensure/insure. I was pretty sure they were interchangeble, but I was wrong:

[Wondering]

That is very annoying because I was positive I HAD typed "ensure". I've changed it.

[sojourner1]

Yea, I have been giving this serious thought too as there are some good jobs out there. To my understanding, it's random on where public schools place you.

I wonder how you get around in a time efficient manner to several schools not within walking distance and no city buses running. Sure you could do it with a motor bike, but it will take you a while to find one to purchase. I know of one public school teacher in a rural town of 1000 people who already had a motor bike after having been in Korea for several years continually who is living much easier now that he is out of the hagwon grind. His public school system provided him a huge 3 bedroom apartment, large TV, DVD player, and all the trappings fit for a 4 person family with a huge window overlooking a pleasant small river and mountain side. Pay is also considerably higher with fewer hours than a hagwon gig, but no other foreign teachers present. This is not a big problem for experienced and confident teachers as you already know what they know and your probably not going to hang out with them much, unless a rare instance of one becoming a close true friend which is extremely rare anywhere you live in the world.

I also wonder how rural teachers do thier banking and other business matters that can only be done during a week day in the nearest city. I am not sure about this as it's been said time after time that you have to stay at school even if you have nothing to do for several hours.

Transportation and the ability to do things like banking and mailing a letter are two very important things to consider and inquire about in going rural or for any public school job. Personally I like the idea of living in a more natural tranquil environment with no profit minded director looming over me where the people will warm up in a sincere manner if you show them respect. Thats where I am going if I stay in Korea longer than 1 year with a hagwon.

[wo buxihuan hanguoren]

I very briefly worked at a public school in a rural area in Korea. Hands down, the best kids I've taught here. I loved the school, but couldn't handle working in a rural area.

I'm sure that if you request a rural area they will be delighted, I mean, most foreigners here want to work in Seoul, or a city at least. Good luck!

[dogshed]

It's more like Upstate New York rural than western Kansas rural. If you are
in a tiny town then there is another tiny town a few kilometers up the road.

Actually I think you are just being sarcastic. Troll.

For those who don't know there is a 99.9% chance you
will be put in a little tiny town. I'm sure they will make special arrangements
to knock off that 0.1% chance if you ask.

[dogshed]

[jvalmer]

Wondering, what do you consider tiny and rural?
I think the smallest county in Korea has about 30,000 people. Most likely, the town you'll be placed in will have a population of at least 10,000.

[Wondering]

I'd be satisfied with that. I know that Korea has too big a population and not enough land to have any truly rural areas.