How Much Money Can You Save Through EPIK? | Teaching in Korea

แชร์
ฝัง
  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ธ.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 87

  • @kamilahdouglas1609
    @kamilahdouglas1609 7 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    This is awesome! I'm definitely moving here to pay off student loans.

    • @kyliepytlarz3579
      @kyliepytlarz3579 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      did it ever work out?

    • @kamilahdouglas1609
      @kamilahdouglas1609 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@kyliepytlarz3579 No, I was interviewing with schools in Asia right before the pandemic hit. But I worked here in the US and finished paying off my student loans last August.

    • @kyliepytlarz3579
      @kyliepytlarz3579 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@kamilahdouglas1609 I'm glad to hear you paid off the loans!

    • @kamilahdouglas1609
      @kamilahdouglas1609 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@kyliepytlarz3579 Thanks!

  • @hwasworld
    @hwasworld 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    This is definitely my number 1 plan once I graduate so I can pay off my student loans as quickly as possible

  • @JackieBolen
    @JackieBolen 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Totally depends on which city you live in. Seoul is far more expensive than the countyside. I lived in the rice paddies of Chungnam-Do for 5 years and saved a ton. Then I moved to Busan where I went out all the time and saved far less.

  • @jamesfahey1991
    @jamesfahey1991 7 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    Great video! You saved $12,600 in one year? Thats huge. Do EPIK schools have other foreign teachers? Do you get bored or does loneliness ever be an issue for you?

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Hey James, if you work in a regular public school then there'll only ever be 1 EPIK teacher at that school. There are some special cases like English Centres or specialized schools where there will be other "EPIK" teachers but you won't be under the same contract as public school teachers. Loneliness is very much a real thing that people living abroad will go through. HOW lonely you get will depend on where you're placed, how accessible other foreigners are, and how much effort you put into socializing with others (even local Koreans) :)

    • @chaunnamichole944
      @chaunnamichole944 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      chaunna michole
      1 second ago
      your numbers are way off. 12 million won is a little over $10,000 USD. The Dollar is stronger than the won.

    • @haleym3521
      @haleym3521 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      James Fahey That’s not much! As a junior research assistant, electrical engineering.... I saved 11 k in 4 months summer term..... so not much for a year.
      Right now, I just got into medical school but... I want to take a gap year and defer..... I need to do some soul searching. I want to go to Korea and work

    • @GHE-bv1pf
      @GHE-bv1pf 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@haleym3521 that's because you majored in a high paying major. Average college graduate salary is 50~60k and it is really hard to save any money with that salary (depends on the area of course)I made around 60k. I took home about 3300 every 4 weeks and if I pay bills and food cost, I would had around 800 left over every month give and take and I did not really live in that expensive city.
      Here is a breakdown of my monthly expense:
      1500 rent (regretting not having a roommate)
      200 transportation (gas and maintenan e) I didn't have a car payment because I bought inexpensive car cash
      200 utilities (electricity, phone and internet)
      500 food and dining out
      100 car insurancr

  • @Cat-nh5hb
    @Cat-nh5hb 7 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Very helpful vid! Just subscribed :) Could you do a video on pros and cons living in a rural area compared to the city? Thank you!

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      It's been a few months but I promise I'll be making a video on this!

    • @JackieBolen
      @JackieBolen 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Cons are that you might be pretty lonely. The biggest pro is that you can save a ton of money, as long as you don't spend your weekends going into the big city! Depends on your hobbies mostly I think. I enjoy bike riding, hiking, cooking, gardening so was pretty happy in the countyside.

  • @benzmarion
    @benzmarion 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Also, thank you for the helpful tips I wasn't sure how I would be able to save but your video really helped.

  • @Revolutionary1821
    @Revolutionary1821 7 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Great video! This is super helpful. This is a little irrelevant, but I am considering applying for EPIK for next year (Fall 2018) but my parents are concerned that South Korea isn't safe because of North Korea. Can you tell me how concerned South Koreans are/if they are at all? Do you feel it's safe?

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Thanks Ariel! Great question. I'll try to keep my answer short and I'll do a separate video on this since so many people and their parents have the same concern. I have never felt that any South Koreans I've encountered feel concerned at all. Prior to coming here, I had a moment of concern myself since I'm an EXTREMELY paranoid person. Now I can safely say that North Korea is never on my mind or on any ones mind around me (unless I come across a news article or it's election time). I feel much safer here (in Chungju) living my day to day life than in Toronto. Naturally, there are safety concerns in any country but I feel completely safe here :)

    • @Revolutionary1821
      @Revolutionary1821 7 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Thank you so much! Just discovered your channel and I'm already a fan. I'd definitely love to see a video on this topic!

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks for the support! :)

    • @rebecca5060
      @rebecca5060 7 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      i am planning to apply to teach in spring 2019, because i graduate in fall 2018

    • @nalinizoller5775
      @nalinizoller5775 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SnapshotsofSharon cfr c f-4rCrxcr r r"r for fr cfr fr fr -rCt.

  • @richardyoo9318
    @richardyoo9318 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video and thank you for choosing this topic :)!!

  • @rae8961
    @rae8961 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am so frugal and so low maintenance.
    I always cook my own food, and I'm pretty basic with my tastes. (My favorite sandwich is just two slices of bread with a light coat of mayonnaise in between.)
    I never go out, mainly because I'm an introvert and that tiny little apartment sounds like a dream to me, and parties aren't really my thing.
    This would be so good to save up money. The rent is free and I'm frugal, a perfect match.

  • @shawno2380
    @shawno2380 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is from 4 years ago. But around 4 to 5 years ago the cost of living has shot up a lot. Fulltime Korean minimum wage will be 1.95 million won. So starting at 2 or 2.1 you will be near that. The amount you van save will shink more and more every year. It already has going into 2022. The total deductions are almost 13 per cent and you will usually owe a bit at the end of the year to settle the taxes. Just to add that into the calculation. The exchange rate is good for Canadians and Australians but that can fluctuate. It is terrible for Americans. I would say on 2.2 or a bit more you would save 700 US dollars a month now. You need to keep more money in Korea. An American years ago could save 1400 US a month due to cheaper living cost and better exchange rates. With inflation that would be almost 2000 US a month in savings. Only China now allows that type of savings and more. Savings in Korea over the next 2 to 3 years will fall more. I would imagine you would save less than 500 dollars a month unless you want to live very frugally. This is assuming the salaries still stay the same. The current EPIK pay scale was put into place in 2009. To put it in perspective. Full time minimum wage then was 880 thousand won a month. Migrant factory workers made 1.4 to 1.5 million won a month (now they make 2.7 to 3 million won a month). Unionized bus drivers made 2 million won a month and now make over 3 million won a month. The economy is also bad in Korea lately so I can imagine salaries will not go up anytime soon. As the Korean minimum wage rises and as the living cost goes up, your salary will be lower and lower. Those of you thinking of coming over in the next couple of years had best be wary of getting outdated information. If you dont care about money only the experience then come over. But just know what you are getting into. Look at the salaries of a country but also its cost of living to determine how much you will save. In Asia excluding the Middle East, I would say China has the best pay and Vietnam.is second. Though Vietnam will be similar to Korea and slightly less but with a much cheaper living cost. This means more savings. Also as the market here in Korea gets more restricted the contracts for public schools and hogwans get worse with more bad clauses put into the contract. If you come for a year it may not bothet you too much. I would say going into 2022 that if you have small student loans like 10 grand or 15 grand it may br okay. But if you have large loans like 30 to 60 thousand and need to get those paid off fast, go to China instead. Much better money. Once corona is done and borders open up that will be your prime teaching destination.

  • @koreainanutshell8212
    @koreainanutshell8212 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I definitely film in my school ALLLL the time and I get caught constantly, my excuses have just become more and more ridiculous - I think its fun ahahah

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Lol! Do they technically not let you film in your school??

  • @Jackyscoo
    @Jackyscoo 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You said school lunches are cheap. I work in a rural area of Korea in an elementary School and it costs 74.000 korean won a month

    • @shannon2748
      @shannon2748 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yikes...that's expensive. I wouldn't pay that much, especially since I have repeatedly seen teachers find hairs, bugs, and even a piece of a rubber glove in their school lunches...and at different workplaces. So gross. I bring my own plus I have a special diet.

    • @Jackyscoo
      @Jackyscoo 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      tulips I’ve never ever heard of that happening and I’ve worked in 3 different schools in 2 years and never heard my friends say that - although I got snails in my soup a few time and even blood which was gross

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I've personally never experienced that or heard of anyone who experienced that. The lunches at my schools were great and for $75/month (CAD) for ~20 meals, it comes up to ~$3.75/meal which I personally think is pretty affordable!

  • @judiy888
    @judiy888 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Tell me how much pasta and marinara sauce is

  • @OPP534
    @OPP534 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video. I plan on applying for Epik Fall 2018! How has your experience been teaching wise? Have you picked up a lot of pedagogy? The money is really enticing but I don't want it be the only reason I choose Korea

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hey Samuel, my teaching experience was mostly positive. I taught middle school boys which is less common than elementary school. At my main school I had a great co-teacher and thus had a good experience. I feel like I improved in my methods and effectiveness a lot throughout the year. At my other schools, I didn't feel much like a teacher. I only saw the kids for 6 months and I happened to have less effective co-teachers. Some times you feel like a monkey putting on a show as some kids use the class as a "games" class or to goof off since they're not being graded. The communication barrier can be complicated some times. Ultimately everyone's experience is vastly different and can be a hit or a miss.

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Also, in middle school you only see each class once a week which can be tough.

  • @benzmarion
    @benzmarion 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I'm not sure if anyone asked this question but I really want to teach Abroad in Fall of 2018 and I wanted to know; when is the best time to start getting my TEFL Certification as well as applying for that term? I am planning on finishing my college career in the summer of 2018 officially and I wanted to know when is the best time to start applying.

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      HI Merceadez, I started my online TEFL course prior to even applying for EPIK. It was actually the first thing I did. I think a good rule of thumb is to be done your course (which could vary in length depending on which you choose) before you submit your final documents. Here's a link to my detailed application timeline from start to finish: snapshotsofsharon.wordpress.com/2016/06/09/korviaepik-timeline-2016/ hope it helps!

  • @kimminseok63
    @kimminseok63 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hi Sharon! can i ask a question a bit unrelated to the video? I have seen a few videos about people and this program and i know they hook you up with a random apartment, pay the rent and also furnish the apartment but what if you want to chose an apartment yourself or if you have an apartment in mind that you particularly liked? will they pay for the rent or furnish it if they agree? and who should i ask if i wanted that option if it was available? thank you!

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      I don't have too much knowledge on this, and it will vary between province/city/schools but I have heard of people opting out of the apartment and using the cash allowance to get their own apartment. It seems like that is only generally done when the school can't provide you with an apartment or there's something significantly wrong with it. You would have to talk to the school or the POE/MOE coordinator directly! Good luck!

  • @bilingualbaddie529
    @bilingualbaddie529 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    I appreciate this 😭😭

  • @Indo_korean_couple26
    @Indo_korean_couple26 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hey, Ma'am I have an query will please help me to know about it more Actually I want to know that my Country is not an that list of countries but there is a another opportunity for us to apply as a 2ed language but here is the problem that is that Mandatory to have an a teacher license or just I needed TEFL course certificate? Please anyone if you have and knowledge about it tell me.

  • @camillehigh1390
    @camillehigh1390 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I want to teach in Korea also however I'm still teaching now in GA. I saw that their school system starts in March? So does that means I will have to wait for Spring of 2019 since the school I work at now doesn't get out until May of 2018?

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hey Camille! The school year starts in March but many provinces and cities still accept EPIK teachers during he Fall Intake beginning every September. You could apply for that term (Sept 2018) if you don't mind beginning in the middle of the year (which is what I did) :)

  • @OkamiKaiza
    @OkamiKaiza 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Are these monthly salaries gross (before tax) or net (after tax)?

  • @sahanae03
    @sahanae03 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    If you renew your contract will you still get your pension pay and a severance package. Also about how long does it take you to make your lesson plans. Also does anyone help set up your bank account. With the internet, do you need to find a service provider yourself or does the apartment owner supply it. Sorry for all the questions but I'm just too curious lol

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You will get the pension and severance pay but only upon ending your contract. However, your pension will be much larger when you do get it :) My co-teacher helped me set up my bank account, phone plan, and went with me to get my ARC card. I got lucky with a very helpful co-teacher. In my apartment, the internet was set up / the landlord helped set it up and we pay a fee every month (same with gas and electricity). In terms of lesson plans, it's hard to quantify! I spent a lot more time in the beginning catching up. I usually like having my lesson plans done the week before. Over time as you get to know your classes it gets easier. It also depends how many different schools and grades you have. I had 2 schools spanning 3 grades and some people had 3 schools spanning even more grades. So it all depends! And of course it's up to you how much effort you want to put :) most important thing is just to be flexible!

  • @Annettely
    @Annettely 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi do you have to go with your co teacher to pick out stuff like phone and furniture or is it just to help?

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      It depends on your school! My co-teacher took me to help because otherwise it would've been very difficult (especially for my phone plan and bank account)

  • @mariahcolby3559
    @mariahcolby3559 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Does that include paying any student loans? Or is that before student loans? I will applying for spring 2021 and a lot of my pay will be going towards student loans 😅

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Mariah, this doesn't include student loans in my case! Good luck!

  • @susanlee101
    @susanlee101 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is so helpful!

  • @gecko2000405
    @gecko2000405 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I've heard they have socialized medical/dental. Do you know of any medical or dental expenses such as co-pays or deductibles you would have to pay, or is this not a privilege of a EPIK teachers?

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      EPIK teachers got health benefits (for sure medical but I don't remember if we got dental). Either way both were very affordable :)

  • @CosmicSlumber
    @CosmicSlumber 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    My wife and I are currently getting a TSOL certification at our 4 year college. I was wondering if we could apply for EPIk like opposite-sex married couples do or do you think they would deny our applications because we are a same-sex married couple?

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Rosa, I unfortunately think your application may not be accepted / you can't apply as a same-sex couple. A lot isn't legalized in South Korea yet and it's a fairly conservative country / "traditional" in many regards. I can't say for sure though, and perhaps things have changed. I hope they do soon!

  • @payge6487
    @payge6487 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    i have a really stupid question but me and my parents have been in debate over this for awhile. on the epik website it says that to eligible to become an english teacher you need at least a bachelors degree from a university. is this referring to a bachelors degree in english? or is it any bachelors degree eg music or business? thanks

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Payge, hopefully my late response is still helpful but any Bachelors degree will suffice! Unless they have changed it since I applied a few years ago. And not a stupid question at all :)

  • @casandrat9281
    @casandrat9281 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    would it be possible to send money back home and have a little extra for food, ect?

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I definitely think so. I know friends who sent home money and had enough disposable income left. Ultimately it depends on how much you want to send back and how well you budget!

  • @Cheezybrie
    @Cheezybrie 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You pay how much for electricity?!

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Haha can't tell if you're shocked because you think it's expensive or cheap??

    • @Cheezybrie
      @Cheezybrie 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      The low income electricity amount for my city is $150 a month. I know some people who pay close to $300.

  • @sarahselina2155
    @sarahselina2155 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hey Sharon, really great video! I just wanted to ask you, if you are with EPIK can you do extra jobs like after school activities, clubs, classes etc to make more money in the month? Thank you!

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi Sarah! If I am remembering correctly, it technically wasn't allowed...

  • @maroniiimorata4396
    @maroniiimorata4396 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    If you dont mind, may I ask if they accept Filipino English teachers? Thanks for replying! :)

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  6 ปีที่แล้ว

      Unfortunately EPIK only accepts English teachers from 7 countries (Canada, USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ireland)!

    • @wildzwaan
      @wildzwaan 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SnapshotsofSharon What if your parent(s) is/are native, and you grew up bilingually? Canadians take me for a fellow Canadian, even though I only hold a Danish passport...

  • @shamsoshamu2772
    @shamsoshamu2772 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    Please I. I am really disappointed that nobody has ever replied to me but please reply to me what I want to know is how to get a part time job non teaching job in Korea
    I have never been to school but still i know how to read and write a little bit And I'm Muslim I want to come to korea so please read this and let me know if there is a chance

    • @jordannxx6623
      @jordannxx6623 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Shamso Shamu teaching English is just one job you can have going to Korea and getting a visa. At the end of the day you will need a visa for staying in Korea and you’ll need to search them up. There are entertainment visa’s, tourist visas etc. they are all very strict and some hard to get and all to most are not long term. Depending how high you went in the schooling system you can always go abroad for college (some are just as cheep as going to college at your state) here is a website of list of visas :
      en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_South_Korean_visas
      It also depends on your age and opportunities. For me I want to teach English so I have to go to college then apply through a program and get a visa for teaching, I don’t know what advise to give you cause I don’t know your age or anything but I’m 16 and have tried to research as much as I can. Here is another link of a “South Korea Guide- Visas, work permits etc”
      www.justlanded.com/english/South-Korea/South-Korea-Guide/Visas-Permits/Work-visas-permits
      I don’t know if English in your first language as I see you mentioned something but I hope you can understand all this and that any of this helps, if you have any questions prior to reading those websites I can help again! Also I can try to find some helpful videos I’ve watched in the pass for you!:)

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว

      I am not too sure about this, sorry I can't be of more help :( BORA seems to have some good suggestions though!

  • @shannon2748
    @shannon2748 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I got cheated out of a rural allowance when I taught in Pocheon. The Korean English teacher told me this right before I finished my contract. She said my main coteacher had cheated me the whole year. Yep.

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      That's awful, I'm so sorry that happened to you.

  • @Saidoromo2024
    @Saidoromo2024 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    why the pay is so low especially for teachers that doesn't make sense to work for that kind of pay. But that's just me..🤔😂

    • @SnapshotsofSharon
      @SnapshotsofSharon  7 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Haha "low" pay is definitely subjective. It's not the best pay in the world and I've never been on a teachers salary in Canada so I can't compare. But for an EFL job abroad with minimal experience required, the pay is quite nice. South Korea in particular is one where you can definitely save money while living abroad. Since they provide benefits and rent it helps ease the expenses.

    • @shannon2748
      @shannon2748 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SnapshotsofSharon The rent is provided, but most teachers get put in shoeboxes, and the unlucky ones get crap shoeboxes, and the pay is stagnant. People are making what they made more than 10 years ago.