Teaching English in Korea The following information is provided by the government publication Teaching English in Korea. Housing for English Teachers Teach English Abroad Online TEFL course. - £195/$295 Housing

Few contracts provide for housing in Seoul. This can be a serious problem, as housing in that city is among the most expensive in the world. If your institute does not provide housing, it should at least be able to help you find accommodation and negotiate the appropriate rent and utility payments. Housing options include: the key money system (yearly deposit); monthly rent; shared housing; and dormitories, lodging houses and inns.

The Key Money System

Under the key money (chunsee) system, when you move into a house you give the owner of the property the equivalent of a year's rent in advance and pay no monthly rent. At the end of the contract period, you receive the chunsee back. In return for the use of your money to earn interest during the contract period, the owner gives you back the principal.

This system is quite risky because ownership may change during the contract period or the owner may simply decide that a foreigner is in no position to fight for the chunsee. You can reduce the risk by having your employer agree to pay the chunsee. Chunsee payments run from a minimum of 2 million won for a small studio in a less desirable part of town to 50 million won for a better apartment in one of the more prestigious neighbourhoods.

Monthly Rent

Walsee is a variation of chunsee. You pay a certain amount per month, plus a deposit, which you get back when you move out. The risks are the same as with chunsee. Monthly rents can run as high as 1.1 to 2.8 million won for a modest apartment.

Shared Housing

This is a popular option but you should of course be careful in choosing room-mates, and each person's financial responsibilities should be spelled out in advance.

Dormitories, Lodging Houses and Inns

Yonsei, Ewha, Seoul, Hanyang and Konkuk universities and Hankook University of Foreign Studies all have dormitory accommodation available. In addition, the Korean Research Foundation runs an International House for foreign students. Sometimes these dormitories can accommodate foreign instructors, although usually they accommodate only their own faculty.

Lodging houses (hasuk) are popular with young Koreans in college or those just starting their professional career. Single rooms can cost over 500,000 won a month and include Korean-style breakfast and dinner, and sometimes laundry service. The disadvantage is the lack of privacy. Another option is to stay with a local family. This can be an excellent opportunity to experience Korean life and culture directly, but again the lack of privacy can be a disadvantage. Most instructors who live in such homestays eventually move into more private accommodation.

Finally, some people rent rooms in an inn (yokwan) on a monthly basis. This is similar to staying in a lodging house and costs about the same with no food provided, but it offers far less security and less privacy as well. Some yokwans cater to dubious short-term (hourly) clients, so staying in a yokwan may result in some Koreans treating you with a lack of respect if they are unaware of your status.

Please choose from the following sections:

Teach English Abroad Online TEFL course. - £195/$295

Introduction
Types of English Language Schools
Visa Matters
Contracts
Housing
Working Hours
Severence Pay
Income Tax
Medical Insurance
Ticket Home
Cultural Differences
Adapting to Korean Society
How Canadian Government Offices can Help

Canuck Abroad takes no responsibility for the information or accuracy contained in this section and suggest you go to http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/Korea-en.asp for the latest information.

Email this page to a friend

Sign up for the CanuckAbroad Newsletter