Recently my friend Jennifer complained that I'm not updating my blog. Well yah, its true I'm not. Well I wasn't. The reason? My life has been friggin complex lately.
First, I went in circles trying to obtain a CRC (criminal Record Check). Ofcourse I would expect this and have always been amazed that I didn't need one before to teach in Korea. Especially since I've been teaching children.
Second, I have been trying to get my papers in order for my new job. I had recently gotten a job at a middle school. I was trying to get specific housing for my tastes.....cause we all know I have a lot of shit and my lots of shit takes up a lot of room. Also, there were reference letters from my previous employer (of which she is now on maternity leave). Finally figured that one out. Getting a medical check done to make sure I don't have aids or am taking any drugs. Phew cleared that one....just kidding. Get some other paper work from my school. and finally I had amassed a total of 10 different and yes of course necessary documents.
Third, I'm currently in the process of fighting for my pension. I know this might sound weird to those folks at home but the ones in Korea know all about this. For a foreigner to be employed at a school and NOT be married to a Korean they must be on an E2 visa. This classification names us as employees of our school (basically the property of our school). All employees of a company must pay into the National Pension Scheme (NPS) Funnily enough, our school has registered us as independent workers (basically like substitute teachers for a year). In this way they have gotten away with not paying out pension. Maybe you ask Why would you want pension anyway.
Pension is a saving system. The canadian government has an agreement whereby we pay 4.5% of our monthly salary into the pension, the school also pays 4.5%. At the end of our time in Korea (whenever that may be for me) I can claim my accumulated pension and have it deposited into an account in Canada. Now, 9% on 2.3 million won is 207,000 a month. Multiply that by the 13 payments we receive it comes out to 2,691,000 won (approximately 2600.00 candian). That is a lot of money that I am missing out on from my employer (half the contribution is from him). So yah, I'm in the process of fighting for that (with everyone left, right, and center telling me to be careful for fear of raising a stink and either getting fired or being put on watch by the labor board). Well there is a slim chance that my boss could get really pissed off and I would get fired but again that is a slim chance. As for being watched......for fighting for my legal rights as a tax payer in Korea? hm......
The last tidbit of information will shock and awe most of you.....
I'm going to NOT take the middle school position because I'm moving to Wonju (which is about an hour and a half from Gangnam, Seoul). Why would I do that you ask? BECAUSE I GOT A JOB AS AN INSTRUCTOR FOR YONSEI UNIVERSITY!!!!!! wooooooooooot! yah that's right, little Annie is going to be teaching University students....scary thought I know. I went to the university today and signed my contract and everything. I'm so excited. I think its going to be a great opportunity for me and its going to look great on my resume!
For those of you who don't know, Yonsei is the institute that I studied Korean in for that one semester. Its also one of the top universities in Korea (kind of like UofT is in Canada). I'm going to be teaching at the satelite university in a little quiet place all nicely nestled into the mountain range! No not big skiing mountains but still mountains. I'm relaly excited for the challenge. I know I will be working a lot harder but I'm okay with that because this opportunity is too good to pass up.
Apparently the housing is amazing. The school just installed new two-door refrigerators........yah no kidding. We didn't even have these at home in Canada. New bedding, AC (very important in Korea), new wall papering. My apt. is going to be a MASSIVE 500 Square feet....that's big in Korea....with a separate bedroom! I'll take tonnes of dpics.......
Now the question is, what do I do with the stuff that I have accumulated thus far? Jen what do I do with the couch and chair? The other stuff I'm going to sell (not your stuff don't worry).
Wish me luck on my March adventure into adult teaching!!!!!!!!!!!
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3 comments:
Congratulations! I never applied for Uni jobs cause I don't like teaching adults (PreK through 5 is my certificate) but were I to stay here longer, I'd seriously reconsider my teaching tastes. I hope they treat you right.
I really wanted Jennifer to fight for pension, they are SO screwing you guys at that school. Since your contract is over soon anyway, don't worry about getting fired. It's so late in the game that you could go to Labor if they did fire you and Labor would immediately file in your favor. And fact is, they won't want you to go to Labor because they're doing all sorts of shady shit.
Remember, Korean employers threat and try to intimidate because they KNOW they are in the wrong. This is not prison and you can always get a new visa, DESPITE what your employer will tell you. YOU have the upper hand.
Annie, that's fantastic. I am so proud of you, but at the same time a little sad that you will be even further away from me. I hope the job is everything you want.
As for my stuff........well if you're gonna sell yours then do that with mine too. If it's not too much to ask. We can talk about prices later if you need.
As for what's going on with Kids Club, well that's something that we can chat about over the phone. Call me soon
Hi There -
I found your blog via google and was wondering if you know anything about the Kid's Club in Daebang... or if you might know anyone who does? I'm planning on going to teach in Korea, and I was looking for any information that I could find on that school. Thanks in advance for any help.
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