Teach English in South Korea with CIEE | Includes TEFL Certification & Rent Free Housing

I have been teaching in South Korea for about 3 months now and have enjoyed my time here so far. Every day is like waking up in paradise not because its perfect, but because of the vitality that I feel when I wake up. I am living in a country that is almost on the other side of the Earth compared to where I lived in United States. Experience the world before you get caught thinking about what you should have done or where you should have gone.

**UPDATE**

I am still currently teaching in Korea, but every day here seems like a new experience in Mokpo, from within the classroom to the city itself. Not saying that it has all been great or that it has all been bad, but instead that it has been a new adventure. Mopko has a great community and I feel that I have been able to grow with during my time here so far. I have gone on a Temple Stay visit, hiked a few mountains, and experienced the big cities like Busan and Seoul. Teaching abroad is an experience, it isn't just a job.

From when I started the TEFL online course, to when I was searching/waiting for a job, to when I was placed and started my job here in Korea, the CIEE and it's staff have been right there with me every step of the way with the patience of a Buddhist monk. I never once felt like I was alone in the dark with no direction and no guidance.

Now that I am here, my job has been very difficult, but the CIEE have continued to give me other options and support to deal with my struggle with the new school. This has allowed this job to seem more like a healthy challenge than an unfair predicament. The CIEE in addition to providing online support also allows us (foriegn CIEE teachers) plenty of opportunities to meet with CIEE staff in person in Seoul to have healthy discussions and to have a good time unwinding and relaxing.

Ultimately, I'm glad I joined the CIEE teaching abroad crew in South Korea.

I have bee living in South Korea, Mokpo City for just about three months now. I found out about CIEE through doing a quick internet search for agencies to help one teach abroad and I immediately made contact with them. I'm South African and at first I had no idea that they were situated in the states, but I continued my process with them. During my application process I hit a few bumps and decided(a few months into the whole process) that I want to change agencies due to financial issues. I found a agency in South Africa and started the whole process again. Long story short, my SA agent was the worst! It was already August and I knew that fall term starts from September in South Korea, as a result my new agent just told me he's sorry but I won't be able to leave until next year February and gave me all sorts of lame excuses for this. I was very disappointed and decided to contact my CIEE coordinator again to clarify a few things for me and within one week we continued my application process, I managed to sort out my finances and in September I was on a plane on my way to South Korea.

Leading up to my departure I had the full assistance of my coordinator, Luke Beland. He helped and guided me through everything and I had never had to wait one full day for a response from him irrespective of the difference in time. I was introduced to my SK coordinator (Bradley Brennan) who has been extremely helpful throughout this whole process. I can write a whole new review just about our fun orientation weekend and how much the workshops had helped me to adjust and settle in as a new teacher.

The academy I am teaching at has been exceeding my expectations, both my boss and his wife have been extremely helpful and just very caring in general. We have a good working relationship and I can go to them with anything. My apartment is a small studio apartment for one person. It was neat upon arrival and I have not had any issues with utility bills or noise or anything else.

I'm having a great time so far and have met a lot of new friends through CIEE, which is super awesome considering no one speaks English around here and it's hard to establish friendships due to the language barrier. Thanks to the CIEE orientation. I can't complain about anything from the start of my application process right up until today. I would recommend CIEE to anyone who wants to teach abroad. Mokpo City is beautiful and quiet and has a lot of outdoor activities to do. Catching a KTX or bus to anywhere is very easy and convenient too.

Thank you CIEE.

I met Brad at the orientation in Seoul back in September. What I really enjoyed about the experience and his style of leadership is that I always felt his sincerity in wanting us to become acclimated with the Korean culture. There was a feeling of compassion for being a foreigner in a new country while also feeling challenged to make the most of my experience here and step out of my comfort zone.

I started my application process with CIEE in January, 2016 with the intention of travelling to Korea in the Spring. Unfortunately, some unforseen circumstances kept me state-side longer than I anticipated and I was not able to travel to Korea until September. CIEE did a great job of staying in contact with me and providing quick and informative answers to any questions I had. Their pre-departure programs, including the TEFL program and the course on what to expect in Korea were both highly informative and easy to access. I have now been in Korea for almost a month and can honestly say that I am thoroughly satisfied with my job placement.

My application process with CIEE began as I was working my way through my final year of undergrad. Juggling both my school work and an application to teach abroad wasn't the easiest task. Overall I was very satisfied with the process, and assistance I received along the way. Email communication was always quick, and there was never any trouble contacting my application supervisor by phone.

After choosing my program (Teach in South Korea) the application process hit the ground running. Everything was clearly outlined with specific information of what was required, and the deadline that it must be met by. If there was ever a time I was confused, or had any questions CIEE was always there to help me out. I'm very thankful I had CIEE there to help guide me.

Working with my placement team was great as well. We maintained contact over email, and they constantly kept me updated with the happenings regarding my placement. There was a bit of an issue with receiving my FBI background check w/ apostille in time, and my placement team came up with a quick workaround solution that allowed me to meet the deadline for my Visa. They've been nothing but nice to me, and have made it clear that should I ever need any help with anything, they're there for me.

When deciding to work overseas, the most important thing you can be is flexible. Also, I believe it is important to understand where CIEE's obligations begin, and where they end. Everything I've expected of CIEE (a recruiter) has been met. Working with my school has been fine as well. While I've had some small issues at work, they're only minor inconveniences. I do not hold CIEE accountable for those.

Again, I was very satisfied with service I've received from CIEE. They helped me get to where I am now, and I feel I was more than prepared. The TEFL course, the pre-departure course, and my own research (and one would be foolish not to do their own research before making such a big move) left me feeling confident with my decision. I believe these programs are wonderful for anyone looking to spend time abroad and teach!

My experience with CIEE so far has been excellent. They have been friendly, professional, patient, easy to contact, and straightforward. Before you read some of the negative reviews on the CIEE South Korea listing, you have to understand what CIEE is.

CIEE is a recruiter. They help you find a position.

They are not your landlord, they are not your attorney, and they are not your babysitter.

I came to Korea prepared, and I came to Korea prepared not only because of CIEE's help but also because I was able to do some independent research and get a good picture of what it would be like when I arrived.

CIEE was actually very helpful in pointing out some potential problems and helping me get ready for them.

Their pre-departure information showed statistics on the apartments that previous applicants had occupied and I knew that a few of them didn't have beds. To a lot of people this is a problem, understandably, but I came prepared to lay out some blankets on the first night because I was given that information.

From hearing stories about awful hagwons, I was able to ask questions about the curriculum and determine that their practices would probably be acceptable for me. I am here and my days are crammed, but that's what I knew would happen.

If you're flying to the other side of the world, you have to be able to roll with things and pick your battles. When I arrived in my apartment it was nasty. The previous occupant was a teacher who left my school and he never cleaned it out. I spent three days cleaning it. I didn't mind, because it's not that big of a deal.

My apartment has no hot water. Personally, I don't mind this. If I wanted it fixed, I would talk to my director. But even if I want it fixed before winter, you know what? It can wait. I have bigger fish to fry right now.

I understand if you would not be willing to wait to get your hot water, or if you'd be upset if you walked into a dirty apartment. However, please understand that a part of making moving to a new country a good experience means rolling with the punches. I read one review wherein someone said that their hagwon closed, and when CIEE's follow-up for a NEW POSITION was "delayed and full of contradictions" they decided to just leave the country. This is the opposite of rolling with the punches. Yes, CIEE probably was scrambling to get their stuff together on that, and a recruiter might have written something unclear. But he or she is missing the huge positive here! CIEE was ready and willing to find a new position for this person, and he or she realized it would take time and effort, had enough, and gave up.

Let's look at that again: if you get stuck at THAT crappy of a school and you get fired for crappy reasons or your school closes, CIEE will stick it out with you and find you another position.

Now obviously, you are a free person. You are also taking a risk by getting a job and it's your responsibility to research them first. I and everyone from my orientation seems to be having a great time so far. I have had no complaints from the dozens of people I have met.

My director and regional director are amazing, a husband and wife team, and they buy me food all the time and are helping me in all kinds of ways that they don't have to do.

My coworkers are great. Friendly, supportive, patient, and all in all wonderful people.

So many people go on the internet just to complain and try to get revenge on someone they feel wronged by.

Think about this:

A TEFL course could cost from 600-2000 dollars, easily.
Airfare to Korea would cost 600-1000.

If you're a first-time teacher, I would highly recommend it. Remember, if you don't like the position they offer you, YOU CAN TURN IT DOWN.

And think about all the people who aren't leaving reviews because they came in prepared and had a great time and never thought twice about it.

Just sayin.

When I started looking for teaching jobs and TESOL programs, I wasn't sure where to begin. Choosing a TESOL program, finding a job, and getting a visa can be rather daunting. It was really helpful to have one source for completing all these things. The TESOL program was informative, and much more thorough than I was expecting. I took an additional 30hr CIEE TESOL course later on, which was a great addition to the main certificate. The coordinators in the US were especially helpful in keeping in touch once I was abroad. The pre-departure information was pretty good as well. Now that I am in the country, I could probably find my next job ( if I stay another year) on my own, but for my first job it was good to have help with the entire process. I think it would have been quite difficult to do this on my own. Overall I had a great experience with CIEE, and would recommend it for those who are getting started working abroad! I would especially recommend teaching abroad as a first job after college, as it is a great way to travel and gain job experience.