Hey guys, if possible, i’d really like to know a few things from people who work for Seoul Epik, or from those who reapplied to Seoul after working for EPIK in another MOE (would soo appreciate answers to any one of these questions) :

1. What are the contract dates for Spring intakes in Seoul? And has anyone found that the dates clash with their previous school’s when moving from an MOE?. The MOE i’m wanting to try and move from is Busan and my contract with my school ends February 25th 2023.

2. I just renewing the Arc and visa before the expiration date is fine? Any complications to know of when it’s in a different province or Gyeonggi province in particular?

3. I’ve heard Seoul Epik contracts are the worst in Korea, and that this is because of the lack of a renewal bonus. But is there anything else that makes it bad? If there’s anybody who sees this and has a sample contract to show me, i’d so appreciate the help 🙏🏻.

4. Long shot that enough people will see this, but is there anyone with extensive teaching experience in Korea (like me with EPIK for a number of years) who applied to Seoul on the first application day opening, and still didn’t get it? I know nothings a guarantee, but willing to get every crumb of data  possible until August 1st application comes around 😂.

I might be able to help!

I applied to Seoul EPIK from another MOE a few years ago and got in.

1. Contract officially starts March 1 and ends on February 28. I didn't have any problem with overlapping contract timelines. Rather, I had a few days in between contracts to attend orientation and move up to Seoul. I'm not sure if experienced EPIK teachers need to attend orientation anymore.

2. Myself and other teachers who transferred renewed our ARCs once we got to our new schools in Seoul. Might be easier just to wait and do so when you get here since you'll be changing your address.

3. Yes, no renewal bonus and your housing deposit is more expensive (1 million Won). Schools seem to be more strict about camp up here as well. In my old MOE, teachers would have three day camps and that would be fine. In Seoul, people tend to do the full week and half-week camps are typically unheard of. I don't remember the camp requirements from my old MOE, but in Seoul teachers are required to do 4-5 weeks of camp in their contract year.

4. I applied in September (for the February contract) and heard back my results in early December. Didn't exactly apply on the opening day, but still early on. The interview process was different from my initial EPIK job and was more a formality and checklist of documents I'd need. I had one year of experience with EPIK under my belt when applying, though there were plenty in my first Seoul contract year who were entirely new to Korea and ESL.

Best of luck!

A housing deposit is only 1 million won in Seoul?  Does this mean they subsidize it if you get your own place then?  I remember my old one room out in the provinces years ago was 3 million won.  I got it back when I moved out a few years later from the landlord.  Education office really had no dealings in it.  But I do know deposits are higher in Seoul.  More like 5 to 10 million for a one room up there?  So, if they pay that and charge you a million that's a pretty good subsidy.  But when you want to move, you'd prob have to have your own money saved up to get a place.  Of course I can't imagine what prices are there lately. 

As for renewal bonus (and never raising the pay when the rest of EPIK did years ago), they are arrogant enough to say "everyone wants to work here and they have to take whatever we throw at them."  I knew folks who did it years ago and the SMOE schools were rabid strict contract readers whereas out in the provinces they were pretty chill on some things.  But the SMOE contract reading ways have been spreading nationwide lately.  Last couple of years maybe due to covid?  Either way, I guess the rural advantage is gone now in that area.  But this was like 10 years ago and several years ago when I had some friends go and do it.  I think they got in just as the Great Recession was taking hold back when you could still use recruiters and bypass the EPIK shitshow interview and selection process though.  They left the countryside and went to Seoul.  They said Seoul was by the book and it kind of annoyed them but they also liked being in the city.  I would have joined them but I wanted to keep the level 1 plus pay which was good at the time.  So, here I stayed. 

So, I guess most folks know the cons of going to Seoul, but want the city life nonetheless.  There are definitely more places to visit and sights to see.  I use to spend a lot of time up there on holidays and mid term breaks.  (Years ago country schools gave you days off on exam days, field trip days.  So, extended weekends hanging out in Seoul or Busan were the key.  Got to know many parts of Seoul well but also witness the changes over the last decade and a half.  There wasn't always a McDonald's and Starbucks on every corner.  Most custom made western food was in Itaewon only.)