cdi questions

----- Original Message ----
From: Ar
To: i_teach_esl@yahoo.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 10:37:29 AM
Subject: checked out your blog!

Hey!

Seriously, you have a cool website, for reals =) I'm in the process of getting ready to leave for Seoul and I happened to find you 'cause I'm trying to find all the dirt about CDI. First, I have to say sorry for asking questions that you've probably answered, but I thought I'd still give it a shot to see if you'd reply =). I'm trying to go through your website and all the emails and posts and everything, but I won't lie, there's so much stuff, I'm still not done going through it all!

I just wanted to ask you about the whole arriving and living situation. I'm planning on arriving about 24-48 hours in advance before the training date, will I get to stay at the hotel immediately? As well, did you find it hard to find a place to live after training? This is the thing that's made me a little nervous since CDI doesn't tell us where we're gonna be placed until the end of training (that's what I've been told). My coordinator told me that in the time that I'm looking for a place to stay, I can stay at a hotel in the region that will be paid for by CDI. Is this true? Did you find a place to stay pretty fast or was it a struggle? Do you know anything about these places in Seoul, since CDI told me I'll be placed in one of these places:

Chungdahm, Songpa, Bundang, Mokdong, Junggye, Pyeonchon, Daechi

I know you live in Anyang, what's it like? know anything about the other places?

As well, with the whole key money situation, we don't have to pay that back to CDI do we? Overall, do you find that CDI honors what they say to their employees? Is there anything I should be weary of or be extra cautious about?

Seriously again, thanks for being so kind and accomodating to us newbies and stalkers online. I think I'm speaking for a lot of people when I say you're blog has helped alleviate a lot fo anxiety about moving to a foreign place. If anything, all this info just makes me more excited to go!

Thanks again for your patience and hopefully hear from you soon!
==================

Sent: Friday, July 18, 2008 12:41:16 AM
Subject: Re: checked out your blog!

Seriously, you have a cool website, for reals =) thanks :)

will I get to stay at the hotel immediately? yes. tell your recruiter when youre arriving and ask if anyone will be able to pick you up/assist you. i got in late, after 10pm. there were 4 of us, and someone from cdi met us and escorted us to the hotel.

As well, did you find it hard to find a place to live after training? a realtor came and took 10 of us out in the neighborhood to show us places that were available. i called dibbs on the first nice place i saw. i live in an officetel.

My coordinator told me that in the time that I'm looking for a place to stay, I can stay at a hotel in the region that will be paid for by CDI. Is this true? yes, but ive heard of others who were asked to leave the hotel after x amount of time/pay for the hotel themselves/move to a goshiwon. i dont know why. i dont know if they were being picky about where to live, or if cdi wasnt being helpful.

Do you know anything about these places in Seoul, since CDI told me I'll be placed in one of these places:

Chungdahm, Songpa, Bundang, Mokdong, Junggye, Pyeonchon, Daechi

look at a subway map, ask what stops these places are by. then you can see how far they are relative to center seoul.

I know you live in Anyang, what's it like? know anything about the other places?

As well, with the whole key money situation, we don't have to pay that back to CDI do we? cdi pays your key money. if you decide to stay longer after your first one year contract, you pay your own key money. if you dont ahve it to pay, cdi will pull the money from your paycheck.

Overall, do you find that CDI honors what they say to their employees? i guess. i like my job overall, but of course there are days i hate it. but ive had no surprises, i knew before hand what i wouldnt get that other jobs DO get: holidays off, paid vacation, health insurance, severance pay.

get on http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/ and
http://www.expatkorea.com/bbs
read the faq's.email me anytime w/questions.