We are currently running a program with excellent terms. It's called the Pegasus Program, and if you want to know more info about it, check out this other blog post. In fact, it is a lot like the JET program in Japan, but WAY better.
Japan's JET program, according to its website, places teachers "with local government organisations throughout Japan in every imaginable locality, including large cities, small and medium-sized towns, and rural farming and fishing villages."
The Pegasus Program, on the other hand, ONLY places is major centers. Our Pegasus Program does not place teachers in small towns, rural farming or fishing villages.
Another difference is the application timeline. The Pegasus Program has TWO placements each year, as opposed to one: late August and late February. The application process is also much shorter. Applicants can start apply as late as 2 months prior to placement. That means, you can apply in June for August placement, or December for February placement. With the JET program, applications are taken up to year in advance and their application deadline ends 9 months before placement. For teachers, this means a lot of planning ahead. At Pegasus, we realize that graduating university students often cannot plan that far in advance. So, the Pegasus Program is uniquely geared towards the new graduate's needs.
Also, with JET, placements may vary. The Pegasus Program, however, only places you at a public school, and you get MANY paid prep hours. You will work no more than 22 hours teaching a week, and the other 18 hours are for prep and meetings within the school. There are no unpaid hours. Anything beyond the contract hours will be paid as overtime. There is no split shifts either... just the standard 8-4 Mon-Fri. Every single week. (This is a key difference between working for the public schools versus private hogwans in Korea too) Also, the career prospects are really good when you teach at public schools in Korea! You may even be able to use the experience on your teaching resume in your home country!
How much will I save when I am in Korea? Will I have enough to travel
As for costs, no matter where you
work in Korea, you can save save save. As all your major costs are provided for, and the cost of living is really quite low (you can go out and have a GREAT time on well under $20 to give you an idea; $50 would be splashing right out!). And don't forget, the most expensive thing in Korea is accommodation, and that is provided free to you! Also, flights to many destination are much cheaper from Korea. I went somewhere every month while I was in Korea (on weekends and/or holidays) and still sent money home to my bank. I went to Thailand, China, Japan, and all around Korea while working in Korea! Not only that, but by the end of my contract, I had enough saved in Korea (not including money I sent home) to buy an around the world ticket and travel though Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa for a few months! So, the options for travel and saving are definitely all there for you when you choose to teach in Korea!What can I expect being placed in Korea with Pegasus?
As for working with Pegasus. We are all past teachers. So, we have great relationships with our schools and only place teachers at schools where we would personally want to work... So, you can rest assured that you have chosen the right company to work with for placement in Korea. Not only that, but we pride ourselves in maintaining a great bond with, and support network for, our teachers throughout the year. So, you are never really on your own!
What's "the best" location to work in Korea?
As for choice of place in Korea, no matter where you work, you will have a great time. Every city/town is vibrant and thriving, and you will have a great cultural experience no matter what. We don't like to state where would be "the best" as each teacher has different ideas about what they would like in a place. Some people are better in smaller places, and some only feel comfortable with a big city. We have written another great FAQ section on our blog about the homogeneity of Korea, however, which may help you understand our point as well.
