Friday, July 29, 2011

My next move...

The time finally arrived when I had to make a decision...do I stay or do I go? After being in Korea for close to one year, one has to weigh all options and decide if it is time to return to the homeland or stay a bit longer and see what happens. 


I have spent the last two months combing job boards (mostly www.eslcafe.com) and applying for positions both in Korea and back home. I applied for several types of positions, including private academies, public schools, and universities. I was interviewed and offered one position at a public middle school. I turned it down because of money and benefits. I then was accepted by EPIK (English Program In Korea) to teach in the public school system in the city of my choice. This looked like a good option, so I hung on to it for a minute, then decided it was just not what I wanted. Then came the offer from a private academy near Seoul. Hmmm..good pay, good housing, benefits not bad, but it still seemed like a dead end. What exactly did I want? None of these jobs were "bad", they just were not the right fit. Oh, and as far as jobs back home, I did not get so much as one single rejection letter.


I decided to really think about what I wanted in my next job. I decided on the salary I would accept and the benefits that were negotiable and non-negotiable. I created a target: University positions only. Now, let me explain how this works. Universities don't use recruiters. The easiest way to get in is to know somebody who knows somebody who can put in a good word for you. Then, you have to be in the right place at the right time. Competition is fierce and I was told by anyone and everyone who currently works in a university that this was the case. They were right. I cannot tell you the amount of resumes I sent out. Then I started getting responses from these universities. Then interviews. Then an offer! Then a better offer!!


I have finally settled on a position and will start the next phase of my career as a University Professor at a well-known university in South Korea. I'm excited, blessed, happy, and content with this decision. I'm looking forward to another year in Korea and advancing my teaching career in a new way.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

So, you want to teach in Korea??

I seem to have been contacted fairly often lately by people wanting to work in Korea. I always find myself offering the same advice over and over, so I am putting it here so everyone can use it!


Now, on to the questions...


Q: What should I expect in terms of pay?
A: Most private academies start around 2.1 or 2.2 million won per month which equates to about $2,000 USD per month (give or take a few bucks). Public school pay varies greatly depending on experience and location. The lowest for your first year would be 1.8 million won and can go up to about 2.3 or 2.4 million won. Again, this varies by location. Visit this site for more detailed information. http://www.teachaway.com/content/epik-english-program-korea-public-school-jobs-korea


Q: What about benefits?
A: Free, furnished housing along with airfare and insurance are pretty standard. There is a pension plan also which, as Americans and Canadians, you get back upon departure. Vacation at hagwons (private academies) is usually 10 days, however, public schools start at 18 days and go up from there depending on location.


Q: How do I know if it is a good school?
A: My first stop would be http://hagwonblacklist.tripod.com/public_html/list.html. If the school you are considering is on this list, steer clear! Of course, you can always check the "green" list for good schools, though this is not updated as often. http://greenlist.tokyojon.com/


Once you have checked this list, I STRONGLY advise speaking to the current foreign teacher. If they refuse to allow you to speak to them, steer clear.


Q: What should I ask the current foreign teacher?
A: Here's the list of "must ask" questions:
1. How long have you been there? (If they have been there for over one year, the school is probably doing something right)
2. Are you paid on time? (no brainer here...common problem at hagwons)
3. Tell me about the housing. (many of us put up a video on youtube)
4. Do you get along with the Korean teachers? 
5. Tell me about the curriculum. (If they say, "Oh, you just do whatever you want", run!!)
6. How do you schedule your vacation time? (Many hagwons have specific time your vacation is allowed. Find out if it is only when the school is closed for summer and winter break or if you can take a vacation when you need it.)
7. Why are you leaving the school? (if applicable)


Q: Should I use a recruiter or just get hired by the school?
A: That is totally up to you, but I would advise getting a recommendation for a good recruiter from someone who is already teaching in Korea. Additionally, never, ever, ever pay a recruiter to find a job for you. Nope, nope, nope....don't do it! I recommend my recruiter at People Recruit http://www.peoplerecruit.com/ and many people have had a good bit of luck with Footprints Recruiting http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/ .


I think that just about covers the basics. Of course, I have only worked at a hagwon, so there may be other things to do/ask when applying for a public school position. Regardless, speaking to the current teacher is highly recommended. 


If you have any specific questions, please leave a comment and I'll get back to you! Good luck!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

So long, for now...

On the Subway in Seoul
Making good friends can be challenging as an expat and not having one of those good friends around can be even more difficult. This morning I bid farewell to yet another good friend I met here in Korea who is returning to the States for a month-long visit, then returning to another city about four hours from me. Megan is quite a bit younger than me, but we have had some incredibly good times together. She says when she first met me outside that little coffee shop in Pohang, she thought of me as "the cool aunt". LOL... We have laughed together, cried together, stayed up way too late together, and just acted plain silly. She has a joy about her that is contagious and people want to be around her.


I think sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day activities, we forget to let our "surrogate family", aka expat friends, know just how much they mean to us. It is tough to be in a country where the language is not familiar and the alphabet looks like kindergarten line drawings. These people who share the same language and customs are cherished. For all rights and purposes, they are our family. Megan is part of my family now. Although it's hard to think of this chapter of our fun escapades in Pohang ending, it is exciting to know she gets to see her family and will return to Korea in a month for another year of memory making events.


So long, my friend. Safe travels and I'll see you soon!