FAQs Part 4

* I went to 2 different universities/have multiple degrees. From which one should I get the original diploma/degree certificate and 2 transcripts?
It is completely up to you from which university you would like to obtain your original diploma/degree certificate and transcripts. If you transferred while obtaining your bachelor's (or higher) degree, send the documents from the university at which you completed your degree. If you have a bachelor's and a higher degree, we would advise that you send the diploma and transcripts of the degree that has the most relevance to teaching EFL. If neither are relevant, then send whichever ones you'd like. You may want to consider which university is cheapest and fastest. Just remember-your diploma and transcripts must be of the same degree and from the same university!
* I'm a (your nationality here) citizen, but I'm currently residing in a foreign country. Do I have to return to my home country to get a visa?
While it'd be ideal and less paperwork for HandS Korea, you are not necessarily required to be in your home country in order to obtain your visa. Some visas can be obtained in Korea (i.e. F2 or F4 visa.) The E2 visa must be obtained outside of Korea unless you're going to renew it. If you are in a country that is not your country of citizenship, then you must sign a waiver to allow the Korean embassy in that country to do a check on your educational background. (HandS Korea will provide you with this form.) Once that check has been done, you will be able to get your visa in the country in which you are currently located. We tend to shy away from this option as it is quite a lengthy proces, but on rare occasions, we have made exceptions.

* Why so many emails, HSK?!?
...because we love you and always want to be with you in your inbox! Believe it or not, those pesky emails are meant to help you. The HSK team has worked hard to compile information that we think would be useful and practical for you to know while preparing to come to Korea. Even for those of you who are seasoned veterans of teaching English in Korea, the first few emails are aimed at helping you get to know who we are and to understand that we're people just like you! They eventually will stop, but if you don't want to receive them, you won't hurt our feelings. Just shoot us an email and let us know that you're not interested in receiving any more HSK emails and we'll take you off of our "list."

* I'm a vegetarian. Can I survive in Korea?
Some Koreans might be taken aback should you mention that you're a vegetarian. Food allergies and food lifestyles haven't quite yet caught on here. Fortunately, there are some options for you vegetarians out there. There are several vegetarian restaurants with Korean and other international menu options. Any Indian restaurant should have veggie options and even within the Korean cuisine, there's several choices for vegetarians. On the same note, vegans might find it a bit more daunting of a task to fulfill their vegan needs. While international supermarkets don't lack in Seoul, the quantity becomes less when you move outside of the Seoul metro area.

* I'm worried that 2.1 million to 2.4 million KRW won't be enough to survive and pay my bills both in Korea and back home.
You're not alone in this category. Many people try to bargain with schools to earn more than the general pay offerings. Their attempts are generally not met with success. While yes, 2.1 million KRW is nowadays approximately $1800 USD, we also ask you to remember that your apartment deposit and rent are paid for by your employer. Your income tax deduction is only 3.3% of your monthly gross salary. AND...Korea's not that expensive! (Especially when your rent is paid by someone other than yourself!) A one-way taxi ride across the city at normal fare period is less than 20,000 KRW. A one way bus/subway ride the same distance is 1,100 KRW (less than $1!!!) A hearty and filling meal at your local gimbap restaurant is 4,000-6,000 KRW maximum. Pair of jeans in a local shopping market is approximately 20,000 KRW. Things are affordable here and most teachers find themselves able to pay credit card bills, student loan bills, etc. and live comfortably!

FAQs...Part 3

Here is just another one of the many FAQ blog entries. Keep your eyes open for the next segment.

* Why am I getting SO many emails from people I don't know that supposedly work for HandS Korea?
You most likely have received an overwhelming amount of emails from one or multiple HandS Korea team members. No, these emails are not to annoy you and fill up your inbox. Our goal in sending them is to give you some information on various aspects regarding Korea, so that if you have never been to Korea, you have at least a glimpse of what to expect. We also hope that it will ease your transition into Korean society. Of course, if you have additional questions, you are more than welcome to email us. We're more than happy to answer any of your questions!
* What is it like working with HandS Korea? How many teachers work for you?
Just to clarify, HandS Korea is a consulting firm. This means that we're not a school, but that we work with schools all over Korea to help them find native English speaking teachers. Our mission is to help sufficiently motivated and qualified native English speaking teachers find positions here. In short, NO teachers work for HandS Korea, but rather with the schools with whom we work in cooperation. (P.S. Working for HandS Korea is GREAT!)

* I don't have a 4 year bachelor's degree. Am I still eligible to teach English in Korea?
Unfortunately, the answer is generally no. There are some exceptions (they are few and far between), but nearly all schools, hagwon and public, prefer that their teachers hold at least a 4 year bachelor's degree. Certificates, diplomas or other degrees are not usually accepted by the schools as a sufficient amount of education to teach for them. If you are still highly interested in teaching in Korea, there is an option with the some Korean public schools. There are fewer positions free and a lower salary is provided. If you are interested in this possibility, please contact a HandS Korean team member.

* How often will I get paid?
All the schools that we work with distribute paychecks monthly. This means that upon arrival, you will not receive a paycheck until one month after. It may be a good idea for you to bring some money ahead of time just to get by for the first month. Foreign debit and credit cards are accepted in most stores and many ATMs also accept foreign cards. Banks will often do currency exchanges and there are usually many cash exchange places in tourist areas. On occasion, a school will allow for a partial cash advance on your first paycheck. If this is something you feel you would need, please let one of us know and we will discuss it with your school.

* Will I have to drive from school to school daily in order to do my job?
No, you will absolutely not have to do any kind of driving in order to get to work. (Unless you decide to purchase a scooter. In which case, you would be drive yourself!) Your school will find you an apartment within close proximity and in most cases, within walking distance to your school. Any other transportation on your free time will be up to you. Don't worry too much about transportation because it is pretty cheap here!

FAQs...Part 2

Here's another FAQ entry to answer common questions that we at HandS Korea here pretty regularly! Don't worry, there's more to come!

* I have a wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/children/significant other that would also like to come teach in Korea. Is it possible for us to live together?
Sure! The more the merrier! As long as your "other" is at least a bachelor-holder, then he/she is more than able to come to Korea. We tend to advise that couples don't work in the same school. Sometimes living and working together can become a bit much. However, it is very possible for you to live in the same accommodation. Just be sure to let us know what kind of living situation you'd prefer, and we're more than happy to help you out!* I have a wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/children/significant other that would NOT like to come teach in Korea, but wants to come live with me while I teach. Is this possible?
Now this situation has proven to be a bit more difficult in our experience. While it is difficult, it is not impossible. Your "other(s)" would of course have to apply for a visa just as you do. It is a different kind of visa and usually for children, it is a bit more complicated to send them to a Korean school as in most cases, children do not have a working knowledge of the Korean language. As mentioned earlier, it IS possible, but can sometimes be difficult. If this is your situation, please notify HandS Korea and we will do our utmost to help you out.

* A starting salary of 2 million won per month sure doesn't sound like very much, especially when compared to US dollars. Will I be able to survive on this amount each month?
The answer is yes, but in most cases, a budget will most likely need to be established. While the cost of living in Korea is relatively low, especially in comparison to the USA, a budget is typically a good idea. The first couple of months may be hard as you are beginning to settle down and there will be a couple of more expenses than in the later months. (i.e. Any extra home appliances that you may desire that are not provided to you by your school.) However, after this point, many teachers find it easy to pay their bills back home as well as live a comfortable life in Korea. Personally, I usually advise teachers to budget 500,000 - 600,000 won per month for your own personal spending. The rest is up to you!

* Will the school pay for my trip home should I choose to visit my family in my home country during certain holidays?
Your school will pay for your initial round-trip airfare for you to come teach in Korea. Other trips are up to you. While there may be a school out there that is nice enough to help you pay for your trip in this situation, I haven't heard of one in my experience in the ESL teacher recruiting sector.

* What if I decide not to stay for one full year as stated in my contract?
Should you decide not to stay for you contractual 1 year period for any reason, you will be obligated to reimburse the school for your incoming flight cost as well as provide for your own outgoing ticket. It is a part of the majority of the contracts. You will also not be entitled to your severance pay as that too is conditional. If your contract is terminated before the 1 year period for any reason, you will not receive this bonus. You will however, have the right to collect your pension from the duration of your stay. That is up to you to file for and collect.

** Per usual, more FAQs to come! Be on the look out!

FAQs...Part 1 (of many)

As a recruiting agency, we at HandS Korea have come across the gammit when it comes to questions regarding teaching in Korea. Below are a few questions that you may have already come up with!

* Do I need to learn the Korean language before coming to teach in Korea?

The answer is "No." However, as a foreigner in any country, it is generally seen as polite when the person has taken the time to at least learn a few basic phrases such as "Hello," "Thank you," "Good bye," etc. You will inevitably pick up the language as you spend more time here. Be on the look out for another blog entry pertaining to the Korean language!

* I don't have any teaching experience. Am I still qualified to teach in Korea?
Despite the lack of any teaching certificate or experience, it is not mandatory to teach English in Korea. Of course the afore mentioned would be a plus when negotiating your salary, but once again, it is not necessary.

* So I get my documents in order to obtain my visa. What does HandS Korea do exactly?
While you are busy getting your documents in order, we will be getting your contract ready and contacting schools in order to set up interviews for you with someone from the school over the telephone. During this time, you will also be receiving lots of helpful information regarding culture and other things to help you better adjust upon arrival.

* Will I have any official training before I begin teaching?
You will have some type of orientation to get you adjusted to your new surroundings as well as your new place of employment. Typically, you will receive your contract and written within will be an official start date. That is the day that you will begin teaching. Schools generally like to have the teacher arrive anywhere from 3 days to one week prior to that date. During this time, you will most likely be getting familiar with your neighborhood, settling into your new apartment, and observing what is going on at your school. While in your "training period," you will be familiarizing yourself with the curriculum, observing classes taught by other teachers, and have materials to read on what the standard is at your school.

* Are there high seasons and low seasons for being hired?
In Korea, the school system is different from most Western countries. There are public schools just like in your country. The schedule is standard and the class sizes are larger (20~30 students per class.) However, there exists also a special kind of school called a hagwon. It is a private academy that costs money and students go there after their regular school hours to receive supplementary education. Being that education is very highly esteemed in Korea, there are a vast amount of hagwons all over the country. HandS Korea works with many of them.
** Stay tuned for the suite of this FAQ entry!