Things EPIK did not tell me before coming to Korea (To be an English Teacher) 

Thanks for sharing!! Tell me why I just found out about this a couple weeks ago? lol. And finally looked at the contract today again haha.

@@shongmoua1384 I'm not surprised. They definitely don't want us to actually use the sick days. Hopefully you won't need them!

I should’ve used it when I was coughing up a storm! Ah, Where are you placed?

I know an EPIK teacher who bragged all over Facebook about how she worked so sick and didn't use any sick days, so she got 400,000 won for unused sick days. if you get sick days and need to take them, take them please. Don't be selfish and potentially infect everyone with your illness.

Woooowwww lololol omg crazy 😅 what a small world!

Omggg crazy coincidence! That’s super cool! How are the students and how are the teachers? Miss them all so much! I hope you received and understood the letter I left!

Wow I didnt know about the 330!! Thanks for the info, you're so sweet!

I need more information on this.

Hi! I’m planning to teach in South Korea 2021 and Im so confused on what forms to fill out for taxes. I live in America as well. Any advice that you can give me would be great 😭 thanks!!

@Aaron Ertsgaard ah I see! Thank you so much for responding! This has helped a lot!!

Be sure to check out the Korean School blacklist so you can protect yourself!

Congrats Atticus X! It's alot of paperwork during the application process, but a greaaaaat experience!! You'll get in, I believe in you!! :)

the name of the game is what is a Korean school black list?

@@cantthinkofanamebrb5132 black list refers to a list of anything you block/avoid. so a korean school black list would be a list of Korean schools you should avoid. from what i've read it's usually a result of those schools treating their teachers really poorly, or just bad management, or things like that.

how much do TESOL and TEFL cost to do ?

Thank you! Please do! hehe

Thanks hehe it's in the works :P

Thank you so much! I am super excited for you!! Be sure to document it so I can see!

Yay I’m glad you found it helpful! Thanks so much for watching!

Thanks! hehe

Same ! Here in Edinburg , Tx. With the same goal in mind (:

SAME HERE!! McAllen :p and I’m studying to teach in Korea as well

@@Alizavv omg me too! I’m from edinburg and just graduated utrgv like 3 days ago and want to teach through EPIK hopefully in the spring but I’m a little nervous on the whole process & the sorts. 🥺

Thank you so much for the suggestions!!!! I will try to upload at least one informative video a month!!

Haha I totally missed it when I signed the contract!

brad pitt teaching in korea thats crazy

Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

Thank you so much for watching!

What did you move on to?

Edenn Enterprises Thanks! It was a great year!

Don't worry, you got this! The fact that you've already been studying is amazing!! You're welcome! Thank you so much for watching!

Thank you so much! You're super sweet! My contract ends at the end of August and I'm headed back home 😥 I wanna see your videos!!! 🔥

@@shongmoua1384 I'm going to email you the video, hang on. The email should have my name.

@@shongmoua1384 Let me know when you manage to get it!

😍💘

Getting ready has never been so easy right? And it's so much cheaper here! I get mine for 30,000 won which is $26!!

Shong Moua wow that’s so amazing! i definitely look forward to that!

Yay!!!! I love my Hmong girls moving out of the country! Shoot me an email! Or find me on ig/ fb! @etceteraa shongmoua@gmail.com

Shong Moua i have sent you an email 😊

Kristina T. Aw thanks! Appreciate you!!!

Hi!! Thank you so much! Here's the detailed video of the complete application process here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SG-HUWSrHvQ.html The interview process was super casual and easy. Prob the easiest interview I've ever had? The EPIK coordinator asked me the usual "why do you wanna work with us" questions, and then we just went over what I should do to fix my application. 15-20 min tops? As for the TEFL certification, I went through Groupon. Hehe. I made sure the reviews were good and certificate was accredited. Def take advantage of this opportunity! Friends and family will always be back home, but this is a once in a Life time opportunity! "And then there is the most dangerous risk of all - the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.”.

Shong Moua thank you so much for linking that video and taking the time to reply to me!! I’ll make sure to take note of everything and be fully prepared for this. Again, thank you!! :)

Grethel Villarreal Good luck Grethel!

I definitely asked those questions during the skype interview with the program coordinator. Prior to Korea, I've never lived alone, better yet out of the country by myself, so I went in with a million questions. All the EPIK Coordinator said was: → School Placement: School placement information is not available until arrival in-country. → Commuting: Depending upon housing availability and school location, applicants may need to commute up to 60 minutes. Housing is secured by the individual’s school, and EPIK cannot provide housing or school details before arrival. → Public Transportation: Regardless of placement, public transportation isexcellent in Korea, and applicants should not have difficulty using public or private transportation. I had friends who were already in the EPIK program to ask questions. Watching other youtubers really helped too! I knew what to expect, kinda? lol. Not knowing specific things is pretty standard in EPIK/Korea, just know that you'll get taken care of. Hope for the best, and prepare for the worst!

Thanks! I'm happy you found it helpful! When I moved to Korea, I probably only brought a couple grand with me? I left some $ in my American bank account to pay for bills I still had. I paid for my own flight to Korea, but after a month living in Korea, EPIK reimbursed my flight and gave me a settlement pay..roughly $1400? So it was a good chunk on top of my 1st paycheck for the month!

Thanks!! These are the requirements! You can have either or Bachelor's degree in Education / major in Teaching, TESOL, Second Language Studies, or Education OR Bachelor's degree in any discipline + TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate OR Bachelor's degree in any discipline + Teacher's License OR Bachelor's degree in any discipline + 1 year TaLK scholar experience

Chiia Yang lol super cool right? It still feels surreal to me!

Casia Banez Oh me too! I just graduated with a psychology degree and I’m also considering teaching english in S.Korea. I agree, it’s a tough decision! But her videos are super informative

Same here! This fall is the start of my last year at college as an English Lit and Psychologg double major and I’m not really sure if I want to settle on a career right after graduation or if I want to continue studying, but I’ve always wanted to travel (financial reasons and later COVID-19 destroyed any chances at studying abroad as an undergrad). I just recently found out about EPIK and it seems like a dream come true! But I’d still like to learn more before making any commitment.

​@@bambi_8104 I've been leaning towards social work, and lucky teaching would only enhance my grad school application. Same as you, I don't want to settle on a career yet, as I want to travel first, but COVID is so unpredictable that who knows where we will be in the next few months. I wanted to apply this August to be part of the Spring semester intake of 2021 (apply early for better chance at being placed in first choice city). I hate being indecisive lol. Good luck to you! I hope to hear an update, but if not, I wish you all the success and happiness. :)

TrucketteTV MsMac I loved it!!! No pressure, no 💎 , no struggle, no strength! ❤️

Please read my story..i teach at a university in South Korea and get 6 moths PAID VACATION and teach 9 hours a week and have my own office!

Thank you for being so sweet!

Thanks for being so patient! As for college, I would recommend going to any college (cheapest,if possible) to retain a bachelor's degree in anything you'd like/see yourself putting into use. I went to a private college and it was expensive - in the end, I received the same bachelor's degree that anyone could've earned by completing 4 years! How's college going for you? Join clubs (virtual clubs with this pandemic going on), get out of your comfortzone and try new things! Once you're in Korea, you're gonna have to do things on your own that you've never done before. Be open to change.

EPIK is open to all bachelor degrees. “Those who have a teaching license/certificate, B.Ed., M.Ed., or who majored in Teaching, TESOL, Second Language Studies (University of Hawai'i), or any other of Education-focused major (Physical Education, Math Education, etc.) are not required to have a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate. Those not meeting these requirements will need to obtain a 100 hour or more TEFL/TESOL/CELTA/etc. certificate of at least 100 hours or more from an accredited program to be eligible. This may be completed during the application process, so applicants may apply before they have obtained the certification as long as it will be finalized no later than 6 weeks before the final expected arrival date in Korea. Please note that 1 year of TaLK experience will also be counted as a 100 hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA/etc. certificate.”

Mariah Colby yes I am!! Wow mystic lake! I only went there for seafood nights! Lol ☺️

Hi there! You’ll be working 40 hours a week (teaching 22 classes per week- 40 mins classes for elementary/45 for middle/high school). If you teach more than 22 classes, they’ll pay you OT! I teach at two schools so I get paid an extra $100! As for applying to both programs, it doesn’t hurt to apply to both at the same time. I applied directly through EPIK & the process was quick and easy!

@@shongmoua1384 Thank you so much! Your reply was thorough and helpful

@@shongmoua1384 Wait I'm sorry, but i just did the math and 22 classes per week at 45 minutes each isn't 40 hours of work time? Is there additional administrative duties that you are obligated to that doesn't include in class teaching? Where are the 40 hours coming from basically? Thank you!

I work from 8:20-4:20 Monday- Friday and teach about 4-5 classes a day. There’s 10 minutes of passing time between classes & a one hour lunch block. When I’m not teaching, I’m in the office lesson planning. My students don’t like paperwork, so I’m always searching for fun speaking games/ideas for them (or when I get ahead of my lesson planning, I browse the internet lol) there’s a tone of free time for yourself, no admin duties, at least not for me lol You just have to be present at school for 40 hours a week, teach half the day and “desk warm” the other half. Does that make sense?

@@shongmoua1384 Yes that's exactly what I wanted to know. I've been considering the EPIK program and youtubers like you are really helpful with the decision making process. Thanks!

TEFL/TESOL certification

Thanks for being so patient! I filled out a form and did not get taxed while teaching in Korea. Are you from the US? I know South Africa and Ireland got taxed though! As for college, I would recommend going to any college (cheapest,if possible) to retain a bachelor's degree in anything you'd like/see yourself putting into use. I went to a private college and it was expensive - in the end, I received the same bachelor's degree that anyone could've earned by completing 4 years! Where have you applied to?

Larah Christine hi! I live in Ulsan now, down south-45 mins from Busan! I applied directly through EPIK. Where are you located? Here’s my video of the application process! I’m originally from the Midwest of the U.S! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SG-HUWSrHvQ.html

Shong Moua I’m not given a location yet but will be working at a hagwon in a few months!

I went through Groupon! It's on sale right now, it's a super good deal right now! www.groupon.com/visitor_referral/h/658d828c-0593-4897-a25e-b973a1481707 (International Open Academy)

it was difficult for me to leave friends and family too because there's always an important event going on every year. It's all about sacraficing. How about you apply for Spring Intake 2021? That way you can take part in your best friend's wedding and then teach in Korea right after? Just know that being gone for a year won't hurt, FOMO will kick in, but you wont miss out much! One year will fly by before you know it, and you'll be back at home as if you never left! You're gonna have the best time of your life!

Wow thanks for the info!! I went thru kimchi mobile online!

Wow, that's super cool you got the placement you wanted! There were a few teacher friends that found out where they're placed exactly how you found out. Everyone's experience is def different. Thanks for sharing! Hope you're enjoying Korea even during this Pandemic!

Diana Ambrosio hello! Thanks for being patient! Yes you can! You must a minimum of any Bachelor's degree from an accredited university!

Yess!! EPIK will reimburse you for your flight to Korea as well as your flight back home once your contract ends. 1.3 million won each way, So about $2200! It’s a 1 year contract and you can choose to renew once you’re done with your 1st year. You can renew another 6 months, another year, or however long you’d like. The previous Teacher at my schools been an EPIK teacher for 13+ years!

Shong Moua oh that makes more sense now, thank you for clarifying that!

WOW, hat's a great opportunity that you had! I was too focused on getting my paperwork done in time for the EPIK Coordinator. lol Did you go through the EPIK Program? Thanks for sharing!

The first school I taught at was a private elementary + preschool (hagwon) and the second one was through the EPIK program at a public middle school in Gwang-myeung.... Most people I talk to like the public schools more but I liked my private school more.

Omg, I thought about private school but the thought of getting recorded while teaching was nerve wracking. Lol. How long have you been a teacher?

Just don't beat the kids lol I didn't mind it. Just keep speaking English and trying to get them to join in as much as possible..... I studied abroad in Korea then taught there for a little over 2 years. I'm moving back this summer.

이효동 thank you!!

It definitely varies with location and situations & I'm just sharing my own experience. For Ulsan teachers, we didn't have to make an appointment to pick up our ARC cards- they just told us what date to go in & we went in to grab 'em without signing anything. As for opening bank accounts, I have a friend who went through a recruiter and opened a KEB Korean bank account prior to coming to Korea and she still uses it to get paid and to take pay for school lunch. Thanks for sharing! It's nice that you received it within a week!

Hi! Teaching outside of the country has been something I've always wanted to do while I was in college, but instead, I chose to continue the path to get into grad school. Once I completed my bachelors of science degree, I realized I no longer felt passionate in the science field any more. Then decided to just do it, why not, what do I have to lose? So you don't have to have an education degree to apply (although you'll get paid a little more for sure with an education degree 😉)!

Shong Moua how long have you taught in Korea?

I was there for 1 year! I’m back home now 😜

@@shongmoua1384 is it possible to make it a career over there by teaching English?

Yes! Very possible! There’s teachers that have been there since 1990+. I have a friend who taught for 5+ years! I enjoyed Korea, but I missed my family so I came back home. My grandma’s getting older and life’s too short!

The academic year in public schools starts at the beginning of March and runs through until mid-July. The second semester starts at the end of August and continues until February. That's the schedule for the public schools I taught at! If you apply for March intake, you'll attend the 2 week orientation in korea mid-February. If you apply for fall intake, you'll start orientation mid august!

Apply one month prior to departure to Korea!!

@@shongmoua1384 Thank you so much! The video was so helpful!

I'm happy to hear that! Thank you for watching! 😊

644golf why, thank you!!!

Through my experience, I wasn't able to choose. however, a commenter did say he was able to choose what city to teach in and he interviewed schools. I was more focused on getting my paperwork in and transitioning the move from US to Korea so I just followed Epik steps lol

Once you’re settled and your Alien registration card (identification card foreigners use in Korea) is in, you can get a new phone line & contract! It’s a process to go into the bank, but once you’ve figured it it’s easy. I highly recommend asking a co-teacher or friend who speaks fluent/ is korean to help you with the process.

Yes of course!!!! You’ll get paid more than me, for having a bachelors in English. I actually majored in something else but all EPiK wants is for you to have a bachelors degree!

Aw thanks & Thank you for watching! Good luck!!!! You’ll love it🍀

@@shongmoua1384 hi Shong. I really liked your video. I heard that only native English speakers can teach in Korea ! Is it true. I am not a native speaker but I have my bachelors degree in the pedagogy field( teacher of English language)Can I teach children in Korea?

Missing you all!! I’ll be back in no time!

Say Aodhan Sony a6500 😊