I really need help. Thinking of moving to Seoul from Daejeon.

[wafflebunny]

I am thinking about continuing to work in Korea probably for 6 months to 12 months. Right now I am currently finishing my contract in Daejeon which ends in August. The thing is, I know that Seoul has it's own GEPIK and all but has anyone ever done this before? If so, what procedures did you have to take and how did you prepare for the change?

Also I don't how many weeks in between I will have off but my family is excepting to come back home and visit in August. It's easier said than done.

Only those who experienced this, PLEASE answer. Thanks! ;)

[travelinpantsgirl]

While I have not changed MOEs I know the answer because to work for SMOE from another MOE is the same as if you were applying from your home country. You need to provide the same documents you provided to EPIK. You need to reapply (or at least contact) to EPIK first then say you want SMOE, and then SMOE will interview you. The first part will obviously be shorter because you already came though EPIK and are already here. I don't know what level of education you have but you do need a TEFL and/or a masters degree to qualify. As long as you have your background check apostilled, degree apostilled and TEFL/masters apostilled, you should be good to go. You will be required another health exam but they will give it to you at orientation which you will have to attend again. Orientation is around the 19th of August. If your contract is up in early August you will be able to go home for a visit, if not, I wouldn't risk your chances of getting selected by asking for an exception. Good luck!

I should say I am in SMOE, hence my answering.

[gilbert.a.h]

While I have not changed MOEs I know the answer because to work for SMOE from another MOE is the same as if you were applying from your home country. You need to provide the same documents you provided to EPIK. You need to reapply (or at least contact) to EPIK first then say you want SMOE, and then SMOE will interview you. The first part will obviously be shorter because you already came though EPIK and are already here. I don't know what level of education you have but you do need a TEFL and/or a masters degree to qualify. As long as you have your background check apostilled, degree apostilled and TEFL/masters apostilled, you should be good to go. You will be required another health exam but they will give it to you at orientation which you will have to attend again. Orientation is around the 19th of August. If your contract is up in early August you will be able to go home for a visit, if not, I wouldn't risk your chances of getting selected by asking for an exception. Good luck!

I should say I am in SMOE, hence my answering.

All of this is correct except the TEFL/Masters part. Anybody with a 4 year can apply with SMOE. I checked by calling their office. As far as I know, they only do 1 year contracts, so keep that in mind. They also are very competitive, so having a TEFL/TESOL/Masters/PhD would help a lot, however, if you have the "right" experience, you should be good to go.

Are you working in EPIK now in Daejeon? It isn't in Gyeonggi, so it shouldn't be GEPIK. As far as I can tell, EPIK workers seem to get a little better treatment with SMOE than GEPIK, but thats just hear-say.

If you have time, and you don't have the TESOL 120 hour certification, go get one. It will be worth it. You can just do it online and it is pretty easy.

What is your target age group? The older the students, the harder it is to find a job in SMOE.

[travelinpantsgirl]

While I have not changed MOEs I know the answer because to work for SMOE from another MOE is the same as if you were applying from your home country. You need to provide the same documents you provided to EPIK. You need to reapply (or at least contact) to EPIK first then say you want SMOE, and then SMOE will interview you. The first part will obviously be shorter because you already came though EPIK and are already here. I don't know what level of education you have but you do need a TEFL and/or a masters degree to qualify. As long as you have your background check apostilled, degree apostilled and TEFL/masters apostilled, you should be good to go. You will be required another health exam but they will give it to you at orientation which you will have to attend again. Orientation is around the 19th of August. If your contract is up in early August you will be able to go home for a visit, if not, I wouldn't risk your chances of getting selected by asking for an exception. Good luck!

I should say I am in SMOE, hence my answering.

All of this is correct except the TEFL/Masters part. Anybody with a 4 year can apply with SMOE. I checked by calling their office. As far as I know, they only do 1 year contracts, so keep that in mind. They also are very competitive, so having a TEFL/TESOL/Masters/PhD would help a lot, however, if you have the "right" experience, you should be good to go.

Are you working in EPIK now in Daejeon? It isn't in Gyeonggi, so it shouldn't be GEPIK. As far as I can tell, EPIK workers seem to get a little better treatment with SMOE than GEPIK, but thats just hear-say.

If you have time, and you don't have the TESOL 120 hour certification, go get one. It will be worth it. You can just do it online and it is pretty easy.

What is your target age group? The older the students, the harder it is to find a job in SMOE.

I am sorry. I don't know who at SMOE answered the phone, but it's common knowledge that SMOE doesn't hire below level G. Level G (as you'll see on my attachment) requires a TEFL or a masters, however, where I stand corrected in Wafflebunny's case is she will have one year experience so they substitute that for the TEFL and it still puts her at level G. A new applicant though, must meet level G to be employed by SMOE.