Tales From the Front: Teaching in South Korea

My decision to teach English abroad was rather impulsive. Like many new university graduates, I felt overwhelmed by the prospects of further education, yet the thought of choosing a career path seemed even more daunting. However, I knew two things – I wanted to do more travelling and I loved kids. I knew teaching English abroad was growing in popularity, but I never thought it would be something I'd really enjoy. I'm glad I was wrong.

Why Teach in South Korea

Teaching English in Korea has so many perks. It is a good way to pay off student debt, since the salaries are good, the cost of living is low, and the school pays for your flight and apartment. Another perk is travel. Asian countries are so close together that travel is suddenly a feasible option. These were the main selling points that influenced my decision to take the plunge. As a disclaimer, the application process to teach abroad is not the same for everybody. I applied to teach in a public school through EPIK (English Program in Korea), which has a different process than applying to schools directly.

How I Found My Job

My application process began with a simple Google search. I thought about teaching in China, Korea, and Taiwan. In the end, Korea won. I decided to go with a recruiter for several reasons. I wanted to know someone was working for me. Recruiters only get paid if you get paid; therefore, it is in their best interest you secure a job. Also, I wanted someone available 24/7 to bombard with questions. My recruiter will probably tell you I used this to my full advantage.

Working With Recruiters

Recruiters were once in the same boat as the applicant so they know the process and how to minimize frustration. My recruiter at Reach to Teach was amazing. She was so patient and answered my questions promptly and thoroughly. She even called me personally several times, just to make sure I was still hanging in there. Perhaps the most practical reason for going with a recruiter is that extra eye before application submission and during the document gathering process. If your application is sent to prospective employers and it contains errors, it can really hurt your chances for an interview. Also, the document gathering process is gruelling. Your recruiter will check, double check, and then triple check that your documents are satisfactory before they are sent abroad for final approval.

EPIK Application Process

Private schools in Korea can be hit and miss, and the work hours and vacation time are not as good as they are in public schools. EPIK has specific standards set by the government, and also has a mandatory 10 day intensive orientation, which I found to be invaluable to my 'settling in' phase. All of this appealed to me, and so began the six month-long application process. Because positions with EPIK are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, it is highly recommended you begin the document-gathering process as early as possible. I can't stress this enough. By the time you pass the EPIK phone interview, you should already have all your documents in an envelope, ready to be mailed right away. I began gathering my documents in March, long before I even had an offer for a phone interview. After I passed the interview, I immediately sent my documents to Korea, and then had a few months of waiting time before I received a school contract and NOA (Notice of Appointment) telling me where in Korea I'd be teaching. The waiting period was long and filled with unknowns. Consider this good practice in patience, which you need a lot of living in a foreign country.

The Final Stretch..

With every new batch of EPIK applicants, there is always at least one unlucky soul who does not receive his/her contract until the very last possible minute. And wouldn't you know it, that unlucky soul was me. Literally 45 seconds after I received the contract, it was signed and en route to the Korean consulate in Vancouver, along with the rest of my visa application documents. Visa turnaround times are different everywhere. And to add even more unnecessary stress to my life, Vancouver's turnaround time happened to be one of the longest, meaning there was a fair chance I wouldn't receive my visa in time for my flight. The final two weeks before my scheduled departure were filled with anxiety. I began to even question if all the stress and bumps in the road were worth it. This is why I'm so glad I had my wonderful recruiter. If not for her, I might well have given up. Like most things in life though, everything worked out in the end and I received my visa... one day before my flight. In case I've scared any readers so far, please do remember that such unfortunate events are not the norm! I am just that unlucky.

Exploring South Korea

..and Arriving in Korea!

Upon landing in Korea it took everything in me to refrain from kissing the ground. I felt accomplished. I'm always asked if it was all worth it. In a word, YES! I can't tell you how amazing my experience has been so far, it transcends language. I can show up to work in the morning feeling miserable, but I always leave smiling. And it's because of my students. If you want to see the world AND get paid to do it in a fulfilling way, I highly recommend teaching abroad. Choosing to teach in Korea is by far the best decision I ever made.