What exactly does the EPIK rural allowance cover? (also some griping)

I just started teaching in Yeonyang two weeks ago and I'm out here working in four schools with no reliable public transportation in the mornings. One of my schools has teachers who will give me a ride (and a bus is an option in the evening). One school is within walking distance, so no problems. Two schools are in Seokbo, and the only way I can get there is by a 9:20 AM bus (then leaving at 4:10 if I want to get home at a reasonable hour). The schools are trying to find carpool options for me, but I can tell there is clear reluctance on the part of the other teachers. I know it's not their job to drive me, they're shy, and there's some English phobia at play (and while I'm practicing Korean, I can't speak it effectively yet). The schools let me use the late bus on the first day, saying "yeah that's fine" but then when I got there the conversation was immediately "this won't work next time, please find a different solution." Previous teacher was allowed to do this, and I'm on week 2 in this area still figuring things out. Also it was a day where I had the option to not work at all, and simply chose to come in as a gesture of goodwill.

So I need to understand exactly what this rural allowance is for. The previous teacher here had to book taxis pretty frequently, and he said that turned into a big expense. I assume the rural allowance is intended to cover costs like that, but is that all? I kind of hoped that part of the allowance was also intended to, you know, help me afford traveling to other cities to get necessary supplies (my city doesn't sell deodorant or have a decent hospital, for example. I have to go to Andong to get that). If I'm taking a taxi twice a week every month, that pretty much consumes that rural allowance. The expenses for shopping will ease up a bit when my ARC arrives, but that might not be soon.

My schools are also strongly hinting that getting a car would be a good idea (I agree, but part of me also kind of rages against the idea because I didn't choose to come to this area to teach at 4 schools well under the age group I have years of experience working with, with no reliable transportation and an apartment with no AC). That's a not-small expense and I kind of feel like if a car was necessary for me to do my job, then maybe someone should be accounting for that before dropping teachers out here and saying "figure it out." I'm willing to tolerate the difficulties in getting home each day but facing possible attitude from the schools because I can't get in on time, when there is no reliable way to GET there on time, feels distinctly unfair.

That's mostly just complaining to make me feel better, by the way. I've been doing this work for a few years but I've always lived within walking distance of my school (one, singular). I know there are difficulties and things won't be perfect, and complaining online helps me vent a little. But I do need to know more about the rural allowance. Thanks everyone.

The rural allowance and multiple school allowance used to cover those extra things like travelling to other cities, etc.  But, the cost of living shot up a lot and now no longer does.  The wages for much of rural EPIK hasn't moved since 2009, plus more rules, bad clauses in contracts, strict micromanagement and enforcement the past couple of years of bad rules that were ignored or bended locally. The pay will go up by 100k a month next year but it is not enough to make up for years of inflation.  It will need to go up a lot more in 2025 and or rules will have to be relaxed by then, especially in rural areas to attract and keep teachers. Otherwise, the shortages which have taken hold recently will expand and grow. 

Next year a teacher can renew at 2.3 million won a month plus 100k for rural and 150k for multiple schools.  But the kicker is whereas busses were cheap and we had flexibility in the time we could arrive and leave, school lunches were free, we got to keep most of this extra money.  It was a good deal.  Now, they charge for school lunch and bus fares and possibly taxi fares have gone up?  So, you lose all that money or a good chunk of it. School lunch and transportation prob takes 200k at least of that extra 250k.  So, maybe you will next year go up to 2.35 for you?  Then you have to live in the boonies with not much going on?  I mean with some tough negotiation and skill on your part with experience, you may be able to negotiate a hogwan in Seoul or Busan for 2.7 or 2.8 mil a month and be a 5 minute walk to work.  You have options now.  With the recent teacher shortages due to declining pay (inflation factored in) and worse contracts with more inflexible schools, rural EPIK will lose people more and more if they keep this up. 

There is no reason for such stubbornness, pig pigheadedness, and inflexibility.  Refuse to pay taxis as they are too expensive unless the school that wants you there by 8 30 and to leave only after 4 30 will pays the taxis themselves.  Since they are the ones being obnoxious, let them pay it.  If the bus gets you there by 9 20 stick to your guns unless schools pay your taxi or send teachers to pick you up.  They can all drive there within a half hour from the nearest town prob in their comfy cars.  No need for them to be so inconsiderate of you.  They let the last teacher do it and not you?  They are shit testing you to see what they can push and get away with.  If you let them demand this, then what else will they start demanding?  They know the buses are not bringing you there until that time, so why are they doing this?  They just don't like you?  They are testing you?  They may have tried to push this on the last teacher and he may have refused or stood his ground.  Stand your ground.  They are being irrational and illogical.  They know the buses don't come by at any other time and if it takes you over an hour of commuting to get there and back, they can have a little compassion for you and some kindness.  Maybe the school or the teachers there just hate foreigners and want to drive you out by being unreasonable.  Who knows? 

Do not take a taxi unless they pay.  If they push this on you, tell them the extra money no longer covers the expenses.  Buses and taxis are more expensive and they now charge for school lunches whereas they didn't years ago?  Also whats the point of being in a rural area if you aren't actually making extra money and pocketing that.  You can do hogwans in big cities for much more pay, live near your schools, and get more ahead.  Also, there is China, though not everyone wants to go there.  Many public schools will not make you desk warm nor commute.  School lunches are still free.  Plus the pay is much better with better contracts (less dumb rules).

A public school paying 25,000 RMB in China equals 4,549,376.62 South Korean Won with current exchange rates.  I get not everyone will go for that. But you do have choices once you have a year of teaching experience in and they had better treat you right if they want you to stay.  The problem is for years there were too many teachers coming over here and flooding the market which caused us to be taken for granted.  But, the tide is changing and we are only at the start.  If more local schools and education offices keep up this condescending, inconsiderate, and disrespectful behavior, those shortages will increase.  From jobs in other countries, to some hogwans putting up their pay a lot, to better paying and more jobs back home, there is no shortage of options.  No one has to stay here and tolerate BS for low pay barely above Korean minimum wage. 

I hope you will push back and stick up for yourself.  Make them pay your taxi fare or get Koreans to drive you.  If not, nothing can be done unless the school calls the bus company and makes them change the schedule.  Let them worry about themselves.  If they do none of this, come in at 9 20 AM.  Do not do not take a taxi and pay yourself.  If they suggest it refuse.  They know you can't get there but yet are stressing over you and complaining to you about it.  If they keep at it, tell them to stop being so irrational and illogical.  When they give you a solution (and not you paying for taxis yourself), then you will be all ears.  In the meantime, don't stress, keep arriving at 9 20 and leave at 4 15.  If they tell you you cant leave tell them this is when the bus gets by and you still get home much much later than the Korean teachers who drive.  (I assume an hour or more?) 

Also, there is China, though not everyone wants to go there.  Many public schools will not make you desk warm nor commute.  School lunches are still free.  Plus the pay is much better with better contracts (less dumb rules).

A public school paying 25,000 RMB in China equals 4,549,376.62 South Korean Won with current exchange rates.  I get not everyone will go for that. But you do have choices once you have a year of teaching experience in and they had better treat you right if they want you to stay.  The problem is for years there were too many teachers coming over here and flooding the market which caused us to be taken for granted.  But, the tide is changing and we are only at the start.  If more local schools and education offices keep up this condescending, inconsiderate, and disrespectful behavior, those shortages will increase.  From jobs in other countries, to some hogwans putting up their pay a lot, to better paying and more jobs back home, there is no shortage of options.  No one has to stay here and tolerate BS for low pay barely above Korean minimum wage. 

And you were doing so well. Do you have a recruiting job in China on the side?

And you were doing so well. Do you have a recruiting job in China on the side?

No, I don't.  I am just letting folks know there are options and that Korea is not the only option in town.  But if they wish to stay only here, some hogwans in Seoul will pay more nowadays for experience and there is no long commuting by buses.  Those multiple school allowances and rural allowances will need to increase a lot to make it worth it and for folks to put up with the extreme rigid inflexibility they are dishing out in those places nowadays. 

But, maybe I should pick up some China recruiting gig?  What do you think? 

But, maybe I should pick up some China recruiting gig?  What do you think?

You've spent the better part of the last decade doing it for free. Why not try to make a little money on the side?

Yeah, Hangook was coming across as rational and reasonable and then he just started losing it.  When he brought up the fact you pay for lunches a second time I knew he was going down that slippery slope.  Started off fine, and then finished like a raving bitter old timer and jumped on the China train again.  You need to learn when to stop Hangook. 

Just read this and noticed that your post is now 10 days old, but I was going to suggest that you take a taxi one time and get the receipt. Showing them that it cost you say 30,000 to get there makes more of an impact than just stating that "I need to take a taxi to get here on time". Showing them that it costs you 30,000 won to get there by taxi might provoke some empathy on their part and allow you to come in late on those days by bus.

The more NETs start to ask OP's question, the more likely EPIK will realise their scam is up and it's time to start paying people properly.

To answer your question OP, the rural allowance covers about a quarter of the amount of extra stress and running around you have to do traversing across the countryside and teaching in multiple schools...doing the job that used to be done by 4-5 NETs just a few years ago.

Sit at your desk pouring over job offers from other schools. When your co-teacher walks by and asks what you are doing tell him/her that you're deciding where to go because you plan on quitting.

It worked for me. Not a travel issue, but the new principal was a nasty old bag in her first gig and wanted to make a point.

They respect a power play, not whinging.

Yeah, Hangook was coming across as rational and reasonable and then he just started losing it.  When he brought up the fact you pay for lunches a second time I knew he was going down that slippery slope.  Started off fine, and then finished like a raving bitter old timer and jumped on the China train again.  You need to learn when to stop Hangook. 

Stop what suggesting alternatives?  If he wants to stay with the current job stay, if he wants to go then go.  Pointing out the alternatives so he knows all his options from teaching in other countries to taking some hogwan jobs in Seoul are all his choices. 

Sit at your desk pouring over job offers from other schools. When your co-teacher walks by and asks what you are doing tell him/her that you're deciding where to go because you plan on quitting.

It worked for me. Not a travel issue, but the new principal was a nasty old bag in her first gig and wanted to make a point.

They respect a power play, not whinging.

Some teachers and schools are still stubborn.  They'd rather go without and be right.  But that doesn't mean you have to put up with it.

Just read this and noticed that your post is now 10 days old, but I was going to suggest that you take a taxi one time and get the receipt. Showing them that it cost you say 30,000 to get there makes more of an impact than just stating that "I need to take a taxi to get here on time". Showing them that it costs you 30,000 won to get there by taxi might provoke some empathy on their part and allow you to come in late on those days by bus.

If I read this right, I didn't see the school said he had to take a taxi.  They just somehow wanted him to be there by 8 30 even though it's impossible or illogical.  Ask them how to do that?  (And if an hour long bus gets them there at 7 45 AM or some BS, refuse that too.  Complain to ed office and remind them of teacher shortages.  If they are stubborn enough to non renew you, then my other options for jobs I previously mentioned I stand behind.  Plenty of work out there and better money to be had too with less headgames nonsense like this. 

Stop what suggesting alternatives?  If he wants to stay with the current job stay, if he wants to go then go.  Pointing out the alternatives so he knows all his options from teaching in other countries to taking some hogwan jobs in Seoul are all his choices. 

It is definitely not unreasonable to let OP know of the other available options. Korea no longer offers that developed country lifestyle at developing country prices. The benefits are dwindling year after year, but the schools are being more strict and unreasonable. The cons are no longer outweighing the pros in most cases. If OP wants to stay in Korea for a short while, then going to a Hakwon in a bigger city may be worth it to experience Korean city life, party a bit, live it up for a year or two, but if the plan is to do this longer term, China is a good opportunity.

Strategically speaking, China is definitely the place that provides the kind of opportunities to Native English Teachers today in 2023 that Korea did 15 years ago when it comes to benefits. The English teaching scene there is definitely less organized and there is no country wide EPIK program like the on here in Korea..... but from what I was able to find out, there is a regional program there called "JESSIE", which places NETs in schools in one particular province. Two of the prominent teachers there one who has been there for 20 years and another who's been there for 10 years have youtube channels (Teacher Val) and (Teacher Matt- who worked in Korea for 1.5 years back in 2014 before making the leap over) where they show you what it's like teaching and working in China.  The major perk that is non existent in Korea and probably never will be, is that these teachers had the opportunity to become head teachers and NET trainers/ supervisors at the Chinese office of Eduction level). Basically, they are able to work their way up and have no cap on their salaries, which continue to go up for however long they continue working! Compared to Korea where EPIK limits opportunities from NETs... such as the S level for SEOUL (SMOE) where the contract states regular NETS who basically spent the past 7 years working in Korean Public Schools as NETs can only go up to level A+ (2.7 mill won). In order to get the 3.0 mill won or S level, they are looking for a licensed teacher who has experience working for a public school back home in Canada, US etc.... So working in Korea as a NET is only good as a 1~5 year luxurious internship position... and if you stay any longer it becomes more of a trap. China on the other hand offers an actual career progression to NETs who have the same qualifications (B.A degree and a TEFL).