Seriously considering a move to Korea..... - Ajarn Forum

traveler2 · 18th March 2008, 16:13

I refrained from considering Korea for the longest time since I heard all the negativity about Korea but then I reconsidered since I have taught in Japan previously which is similar.

Well I decided to bite the bullet and went ahead and posted my resume on a competitor's site (starts with the letter "D"

) just to see if I get any action, suddenly I get 10 emails and 5 phone calls from recruiters. I was a bit skeptical with the response I have to say; how many of these recruiters are legit?

Anyway, the highest offer I got so far was 2.4M. I know the best thing for me to do is fly over and see for myself what I am getting into before signing my life away for a year.

That said, I am wondering what some good provinces are to live in South Korea. I would prefer a mix of the countryside and city life.

Also, how much can I expect to spend on a weekly basis on day to day expenses generally (I am assuming its comparable to Japan, maybe $100 or less usd)? night on the town?..etc..

Other input is also welcome

.

Thanks

jimbo · 18th March 2008, 16:20

Sorry I balked on your email Trav....(about provinces)....I've only ever lived in 3. Whichever ones rule Daejon and Daegu ( a year each) and now Kyonggi-Do (2 years). Some others here might have more insight.

I'm not sure how similar it is to Japan here....and the cost of living for Seoul has reached epic proportions recently...learning how to read Korean can significantly reduce your daily eating cost though.

traveler2 · 18th March 2008, 16:25

No worries Jimbo, thanks

Lizara · 18th March 2008, 16:25

Be picky about getting a good job. As you've discovered, you can easily get tons of responses to a posted resume and so there's no reason to settle for a crap job.

It is unquestionably better to go there and look around in person, but thanks to the new visa rules that may be harder to pull off now.

2.4 is a good salary.

Korea is generally less expensive than Japan. I think I usually spent around $600/month including utilities, groceries, nights out, etc.

I'm not sure about places for you to live. I'm a city girl and spent all three of my Korean years in Seoul. Maybe one of the Seoul suburbs, like Yongin or Bundang, would suit you.

jonny danger · 18th March 2008, 16:26

T2, forget your Western logic and trusting those offers are for real. Those assholes were schooled in the Chinese Academy. They want to get you there, then it'll be too late to do anything but work for them. EVERY point in my agreement to work in Korea turned out to be less than agreed upon.

Capricious · 18th March 2008, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

learning how to read Korean can significantly reduce your daily eating cost though.

Why is that? I can see how it helps in selection obviously, but why does it save you money? A case of overcharge the white monkey?
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Quote:

Originally Posted by traveler2

I refrained from considering Korea for the longest time since I heard all the negativity about Korea but then I reconsidered

Same here, I will probably be doing my 1-2 year Korea tour starting next year. Let me know how you get on once you make the leap.

jimbo · 18th March 2008, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capricious

Why is that? I can see how it helps in selection obviously, but why does it save you money? A case of overcharge the white monkey?

No, no. What I meant is more in line with your selection comment. The cheapest Korean restaurants (great for lunch and late night munchies) are pure Korean menu and generally non-English speaking "Ajjumas." (older women)
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizara

It is unquestionably better to go there and look around in person, but thanks to the new visa rules that may be harder to pull off now.

Tourist visas are still easily obtainable, as far as I know.

Lizara · 18th March 2008, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

No, no. What I meant is more in line with your selection comment. The cheapest Korean restaurants (great for lunch and late night munchies) are pure Korean menu and generally non-English speaking "Ajjumas." (older women)
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Tourist visas are still easily obtainable, as far as I know.

Yeah, but then what if they want him to do an interview in his home country? Unless they've changed that rule by now... I really can't keep up.

jimbo · 18th March 2008, 20:31

^THAT is a very good point.

Be aware of that one Trav. First timers (as of now) are required to interview at a Korean embassy in home country. No exceptions that I have heard of.

Nice one Liz!

traveler2 · 18th March 2008, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizara

Yeah, but then what if they want him to do an interview in his home country? Unless they've changed that rule by now... I really can't keep up.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

^THAT is a very good point.

Be aware of that one Trav. First timers (as of now) are required to interview at a Korean embassy in home country. No exceptions that I have heard of.
Nice one Liz!

So initially I would have to bite the bullet with some recruiter in my home country and take the offer?

What if this employer sucks?

So the reason for the interview is for visa and sanity

purposes?

I am aware that TEFLwatch has a blacklist of schools in Korea, what other sites can I use to check out Employers?

Jimbo - How did NB do over there?, out of curiosity.

Thanks for your input so far everyone

redhaze · 19th March 2008, 01:42

What if you want to switch jobs after arriving? Would the first interview cover that activity, or would you have to go back to your home country and conduct a second interview?

Either way, seems like a pretty lame system...

zazel · 19th March 2008, 02:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

The cheapest Korean restaurants (great for lunch and late night munchies) are pure Korean menu and generally non-English speaking "Ajjumas." (older women)

Hmmm.......... older women for lumch and late night munchies.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

Tourist visas are still easily obtainable, as far as I know.

I,m guessing he meant that you won't get shown much on a tourist visa, about schools that is.

jimbo · 19th March 2008, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveler2

Jimbo - How did NB do over there?, out of curiosity.

Outwardly fine.....inwardly he fukin hated it.

MisterStretch · 19th March 2008, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveler2

Anyway, the highest offer I got so far was 2.4M. I know the best thing for me to do is fly over and see for myself what I am getting into before signing my life away for a year.

Actually, Trav, considering the new requirements you are best advised to get a job in your home country before arriving so that your visa is processed. The new rules prohibit new E2 (teaching) visas being obtained in a third country and must now be issued by an embassy or consulate in your home country.

Many of the recruiters are crap, for sure. But there are some that are okay. Mine treated me right, and everything I was told has so far happened. I chose a small community but am 20 minutes from a big city on the coast. Cost of living here is considerably less than in Seoul, but there isn't much to do in my town.

2.4 is tops, providing you have 2 years of verifiable teaching experience. You should also get an additional 100,000 if you choose a rural location. If you work in more than one school then you get additional money. I work in three and my base salary is 2.65 with the opportunity to add another 240,000 by teaching one double class once a week in one of my schools.

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveler2

Also, how much can I expect to spend on a weekly basis on day to day expenses generally (I am assuming its comparable to Japan, maybe $100 or less usd)? night on the town?..etc..

I live very, very small and can keep my monthly expenses, including utilities at less than US$250 a month. But not many people could do that, I think.

If you want the name and contact info from the recruiter I worked with send me an email or PM.

traveler2 · 19th March 2008, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

Outwardly fine.....inwardly he fukin hated it.

In other words, he partied hard but couldn't deal with the mentality/red tape?