I am a certified teacher and have worked for CIS for 2 years and have had a great experience. The experience of 'Megan' is an isolated incident and does not reflect the experiences of anyone else whom I have come into contact with while working here. In the 2 year span, everyone has received their due taxes, severance pays and letters of recommendations before they left. There has not been an alcoholic working at the school during my time either, nobody has been kicked out of their apartments. It's clear that this teacher only offered a biased account of what happened during her time here, and forgot to mention other aspects of the situation that played a role in the situation.

What is true about this teacher's letter is that she was fired, she was kicked out of her apartment, she didn't receive all of her severance pay. However, what was not included was the fact that she undermined the owner and principal of the school numerous times by sending letters of her opinion of Mr.Kim home with the students for their parents to read, before ever even meeting the man. She based her opinion on 'he say, she say' and that of the former principal whose contract ended before Mr.Kim took over her position here. Once the former principal's contract was ended, she no longer had any say in school matters and was upset by this. Even after sending letters out to the parents, Mr.Kim offered her a new contract, to which she accepted, only to reject in a few days time with higher conditions...one of them being that she become head of the foreign staff (no such position exists in any CIS). It seems reasonable to think that, in any culture, an employee who tries to close another person's business down is likely to run into some problems.

What applicants need to remember is that they will not be teaching in their home countries. This is a completely different country with completely different standards of expectations and business professionalism. Personally, the whole reason for traveling to another country to teach is the experience of being immersed in something different than you're accustom to. You need to be flexible and willing to bend. Remember, this is a private school and a business. It has an owner who sets out the guidelines, and though some of the things, from an educational standpoint have been in conflict with my personal teaching philosophies (ie - direct transmission of information, rote memorization), it would be difficult or impossible to find a school in Korea that adopts a Western view of education. Regardless, I (and numerous other teachers) have been able to adapt lessons to the set curriculum and make engaging and fun lessons for their students. The children are really the greatest part of the job. You are able to become close with the students and their families and learn more about Korean customs/culture. I have been able to travel to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and China. I have met great friends who I will keep even after this experience. There have been ups and downs while working here, but overall I have had a positive experience and don't regret it at all.