21 Nov 
Become a member of Aclipse's growing global comunity
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Teacher Testimonials..
"I love it here in Korea! I passed my CDI training last week, so I'm just doing my April training this week and then I'm teaching! I'm settling in really well; it's such a lovely area I'm in, and my apartment is amazing! The people I have met from my branch have been great so far, too. Thank you to Aclipse for everything you have done for me!"
Charlotte Mears
Graduated from: University of Stirling
Hometown: Denny, Scotland
Location in Korea: Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do
School: Wirye CDI
Hometown: Denny, Scotland
Location in Korea: Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do
School: Wirye CDI
“Everything is going really great over here! I have adapted quite well and even had a family member out to visit last week. My branch is wonderful. I feel very good about where I'm at. Everyone was very welcoming and has taken care of everything that I might need. I work with 8 or 9 other instructors, and they are very friendly. The work schedule is great. I work Mon.–Thurs. 4–10:30 p.m., and Saturday 3–6 p.m. There is a lot of prep time outside of work, but I think prep time depends on your own personal work ethic, and how confident you feel in the classroom."
"All in all, Korea suits me and my lifestyle very well. I've seen some magnificent palaces, many different markets, and have experienced much of the nightlife. On the weekends, my coworkers and I travel abroad mainly to the greater Seoul area because there is more nightlife there.”
"All in all, Korea suits me and my lifestyle very well. I've seen some magnificent palaces, many different markets, and have experienced much of the nightlife. On the weekends, my coworkers and I travel abroad mainly to the greater Seoul area because there is more nightlife there.”
Lauren Wheeler
Graduated from: Washington State University
Hometown: Washington, USA
Location in Korea: Incheon
School: Incheon April
Hometown: Washington, USA
Location in Korea: Incheon
School: Incheon April
“The process can be as quick as you want it to be. I left my corporate job in Chicago and was teaching in Korea after three weeks. After speaking with other English teachers in Korea, I realized that Aclipse goes beyond what most recruiters do. You can trust the people at Aclipse; they tell it how it is. They work with you at your pace, and get as much information to you as possible. Their public-school contacts in Korea are actually the safest and most helpful of all organizations. I would strongly recommend using this recruiting agency for anyone thinking about teaching English abroad."
"It is amazing being an American in Korea. You are an instant celebrity. Three of the kids wrote me a note saying how happy they are I am their teacher, that they have learned so much, and apparently I look like David Beckham. You only teach 22 hours a week, and any extra time you work, you earn overtime. The 22 hours is really 22 periods at 40 minutes a period. Lesson plans for most programs are provided. You pretty much teach the same lesson to 6 or 7 groups of kids a week. My boss is very helpful and really lets all the teachers have a lot of input into the lesson. The Korean teachers are also very nice, taking us out for dinner a few times a month and showing us around.”
"It is amazing being an American in Korea. You are an instant celebrity. Three of the kids wrote me a note saying how happy they are I am their teacher, that they have learned so much, and apparently I look like David Beckham. You only teach 22 hours a week, and any extra time you work, you earn overtime. The 22 hours is really 22 periods at 40 minutes a period. Lesson plans for most programs are provided. You pretty much teach the same lesson to 6 or 7 groups of kids a week. My boss is very helpful and really lets all the teachers have a lot of input into the lesson. The Korean teachers are also very nice, taking us out for dinner a few times a month and showing us around.”
John Stephens
Graduated from: Western Kentucky University
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Location in Korea: Jeonju, Republic of Korea
School: Jenoju English Center
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Location in Korea: Jeonju, Republic of Korea
School: Jenoju English Center
“Hi Colette! It's so nice to hear from you. I absolutely love teaching! The kids are a handful but I absolutely love them. I haven't had much of a chance to travel, although I have been to a few places. I saw Seoul a few times, went camping somewhere north, and went to the sea. I'm really just enjoying learning my way around my city and exploring new restaurants. Thank you so much for checking in on me! I hope you're doing well. O! I finally got my vaccine a month or so ago. Please keep in touch and stay safe! Cheers! Sincerely, Andrew J Baumann"
Andrew Baumann
Graduated from: University of Pittsburgh
Hometown: Murrysville, PA
Location in Korea: Cheonan
School: April Institute
Hometown: Murrysville, PA
Location in Korea: Cheonan
School: April Institute
“Colette, I’ve been having a wonderful time so far in Korea. Cheonan is a growing city with a lot of history. It’s an interesting blend of both old and new. Plus, it’s not too far from Seoul whenever I’m looking for something more fast paced. I’ve had the chance to explore some popular places in Cheonan such as Gakwonsa Temple and the Independence Hall of Korea. It’s been a bit difficult traveling due to Covid-19 restrictions, but starting this month, Korea is moving towards its “Living with Covid” phase so many of the restrictions have eased back for those of us who are vaccinated. Hopefully this autumn I can do a little more exploring. Thank you for checking in. All the best, Chrissy"
Chrishauna Keasler
Graduated from: College of Charleston
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Location in Korea: Cheonan
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Location in Korea: Cheonan
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hi, Colette! I’ve been having an amazing time here in Korea. 🙂 I’ve traveled a lot throughout the country! For a while, I was in a different part of the country every weekend. 🙂 and right now, I’m on a bus ride to Gwangju while all of the leaves are changing around me 🙂 it’s awesome! Teaching is going well too 🙂 the kids are great and I have a really good relationship with them. life is good! Thanks for checking in 🙂 Brendan Burns "
Brendan Burns
Graduated from: Coastal Carolina University
Hometown: Myrtle Beach, SC
Location in Korea: Seodaegu
School: April Institute
Hometown: Myrtle Beach, SC
Location in Korea: Seodaegu
School: April Institute
“Hey Colette! Thanks for checking in! I can’t believe that I’ve already been here for 8 months. Teaching has been fun. I really enjoy the students! I’ve also been able to explore a lot of Korea on the weekends and my off days! I started to learn to surf this summer and I’ve gotten to do a lot of hiking. The scenery is so beautiful! I have vacation in a few weeks, so I will hike Mt Hallasan. Overall, it’s been so fun and I love SK more than I expected to haha. Thanks for helping me along the way and getting me here! "
Brianna Kelly
Graduated from: University of Michigan
Hometown: Redford, MI
Location in Korea: Bundang
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Redford, MI
Location in Korea: Bundang
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hi Colette! I am currently prepping for my lessons for the day. But I love it here so far. It's a lot of work, as I am at a bigger branch with a lot of students, but so far I am definitely enjoying the work. Also, my coworkers and bosses are lovely people, so I definitely lucked out with the branch that picked me. Korea is wonderful. The language barrier is a bit tough, but working on that and taking the free Korean classes my city offers has really helped! There is so much to explore and do here, it can be a bit overwhelming, but all in all, it's pretty wonderful here so far. Hard work, but it pays off. Thank you for checking in! Hope all is well with you! Best, Dani"
Daniele Bell
Graduated from: Western Connecticut State University
Hometown: Canton, MA
Location in Korea: Incheon
School: April Institute
Hometown: Canton, MA
Location in Korea: Incheon
School: April Institute
“Hi Colette!! I have been having a wonderful time!! I absolutely love teaching and where I have been living. I’ve gotten to go hiking, celebrate Chuseok with my friend’s family, and do a bunch of other things I’ve wanted to do! The biggest thing is that I have finally been able to get back to a dance studio, and so I have been taking dance classes twice a week after work. I can send you the link to a couple of videos if you want to see them! "
Tennah Murphy
Graduated from: University of North Carolina Greensboro
Hometown: Pineville, NC
Location in Korea: Sejong, Seoul
School: April Institute
Hometown: Pineville, NC
Location in Korea: Sejong, Seoul
School: April Institute
“Hello Tijana, It is good to hear from you again! I do not plan on staying longer than my year long contract. I am currently planning on returning home to South Dakota for the following five months after leaving in Febraury. Then, although I'm still waiting on a couple of offers, I am hoping to go to graduate school in the UK for Landscape Architecture! The time that I have spent in Korea has served to grow me as an individual person more than I thought possible while still being such a positive experience. There have been difficult times of transition, happy times of settled contentment and hilarious experiences while at school. I am especially grateful that I got the opportunity to teach my beautiful April students. Although teaching that level is not everyone's cup of tea, they served to brighten my day no matter what was happening outside of Chung Dahm's walls. I really can't thank you enough for the guidance you gave me when I was first looking into making the transition to Korea. I don't know quite where I would be today if you hadn't been so helpful and readily at hand in the beginning! I have made some great friends and had experiences that I never would have been able to imagine having if I didn't take the leap and come. I hope you are looking forward to some great celebrations this holiday season! Best wishes, Amanda Williams"
Amanda Williams
Graduated from: South Dakota State University
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Location in Korea: Jeonju
School: April Institute Program
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Location in Korea: Jeonju
School: April Institute Program
“My time with CDI was exceptional and I gained so many new skills and had the chance to make so many amazing memories. I was placed in Busan, South Korea in 2018/2019 and it was such an amazing experience and I had the chance to travel around the different places that South Korea has to offer. I had the opportunity to work in both Chungdahm and April which I believe was very helpful because it allowed me to work with children of various ages. The students that I had were so amazing and sweet and I always enjoyed coming into work because the students are what really made my day! After my time with CDI I continued with teaching and worked as a program instructor for an elementary school and I also completed a TEFL certificate in order to better prepare myself in order to hopefully return abroad again and teach in South Korea. Since my time was so amazing the first time I wanted to continue working with CDI because it was such a good program and the last branch that I was placed in was so great and the staff were so helpful with any questions that I had. Also, I want to hopefully make more amazing memories and make meaningful connections with the students as well as my coworkers. "
Isabel Vasquez
Graduated from: Catawba College
Hometown: Littlerock, CA
Location in Korea: Gwangan
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Littlerock, CA
Location in Korea: Gwangan
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hi Jessica, Hope you are doing well and had a relaxing a safe Thanksgiving. My first term has come to a close, and as such, I thought I would give you a brief update. Overall, it was great. My branch went offline about halfway through the term, which made teaching and student interaction much more fun. My classes all went very well, and I was quite surprised how many cultural similarities there are between the students here and my experience as a student back home. My coworkers are all very friendly, and the branch is extremely supportive. We have done two official events this term: Trivia Night and a Thanksgiving Potluck, at which we also did a Secret Santa draw. Life outside of work has also been very good, and I have had a lot of time to explore, hike, and go out. I also joined a Sunday soccer team. Although we will likely move back to Zoom soon as cases are rising again, I am looking forward to next term and the new challenges it will bring, such as moving into Masters classes where I'll be teaching Lit and potentially debate. Also, I know my friend Daequan has been working with you and was successful in getting a position with Chungdahm, so I wanted to inquire about the referral program, and how that works exactly. Thanks! David"
David Warburton
Graduated from: Loyola University
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Location in Korea: Mokdong
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Location in Korea: Mokdong
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Good Morning Tijana, Thank you! Yes settling into my apartment and getting used to my new beautiful surroundings. Training was great! I had the pleasure of having Arthur as my trainer for the week. Fortunately I was the only one in my CDI training class so all the focus was on me. Even though that may sound nerve racking to some. I quite honestly enjoyed it. I learned so much from Arthur. In the do’s and dont’s about Chungdahm and it’s teaching methodology. I don’t think there could’ve been a more clearer way to train me. Granted the week was intense but it wasn’t hard in my opinion. It was just a lot to take in for a week. Everything on my end has been great. Everyone at the Suwon branch has been amazing and so helpful. Any questions I know now to go to a branch manager or one of the head instructors who both have been great as well. Thank you so much Tijana! Have a great day!"
Daniela Vergara
Graduated from: York College
Hometown: East Elmhurst, NY
Location in Korea: Gwanggyo
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: East Elmhurst, NY
Location in Korea: Gwanggyo
School: Chungdahm Institute
“My experience with CDI has been exceptional. From the moment that I began training in Seoul throughout my six months with this company, the head teachers and staff have been nothing but supportive. My colleagues really want to help you become the best teacher you can be and offer great feedback on what you are doing well and how you can make improvements. I feel comfortable going to the head instructors with my questions or for advice. In addition to meeting great colleagues, I feel fortunate enough to call the girls at my branch my friends and I enjoy spending time with them outside of work. I am happy that I made the decision to come to Korea and grateful for the support that my Aclipse recruiter, Colette, has offered throughout my journey. It's the experience of a lifetime and you won't regret it. "
Aurora Seamon
Graduated from: Mount Holyoke College - South Hadley
Hometown: Williamstown, NJ
Location in Korea: Yeongtong
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Williamstown, NJ
Location in Korea: Yeongtong
School: Chungdahm Institute
“I have had a great experience with Aclipse. My recruiter, Diane, was super friendly and guided me every step of the way. I'm sure that I couldn't have gotten to Korea without her! She answered my many questions with insight and kindness. The time leading up to moving abroad can be stressful and having her guidance went a long way. I felt that all my needs were met in the time leading up to my teaching placement. My journey with Aclipse was smooth and professional. I'm so glad I ended up being placed in Jeonju. I have come to love this quiet, historical city and all that it has to offer. If anyone is wondering about teaching in Korea through Aclipse I would say go for it! It's the experience of a lifetime and you won't regret it. "
Brittany Mackie
Graduated from: Massey University
Hometown: Christchurch, New Zealand
Location in Korea: Jeonju
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Christchurch, New Zealand
Location in Korea: Jeonju
School: Chungdahm Institute
“My time with CDI was a real blessing. I can not stress how much I loved the kids! It's the best part of the job and they make time fly by! I didn't have much experience working with kids beforehand so I was definitely nervous coming in, but I'm glad I had the chance to experience this opportunity. And I'm very thankful to Aclipse and Colette for helping me navigate the complicated system of immigration, visas, etc."
Luis Gonzalez
Graduated from: San Diego State University
Hometown: Temecula, CA
Location in Korea: Cheonan
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Temecula, CA
Location in Korea: Cheonan
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hello Colette! I just wanted to update you on things, I successfully arrived in Korea! I am quarantining my permanent address in Busan now. I have already started training and I am super happy to be here! I can't wait to get out of quarantine and be able to explore the area I am in. Thank you for all your help! I know it is a bit early to ask, but will I still keep in touch with you if I want to renew my contract? I have a strong feeling that I will want to teach in Korea for a few years. Kind regards, Cynthia Cole"
Cynthia Cole
Graduated from: University of St. Thomas
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Location in Korea: Busan
School: April Institute
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Location in Korea: Busan
School: April Institute
“Dear Jessica, Thank you for everything you have done, and sorry for the delay in returning your email. I have been busy trying to settle down in my apartment and school. The apartment is nice and fits me well, and the school is amazing. They are very nice and professional. The students are great kids and very smart. So far, I am enjoying everything. Training week went by really fast and overall it was very thorough information on each lessons. It reminded me when I was taking accelerated programs in school. The time I spent in training also made me realize the difference in personalities and energy level can help with executing the lessons. I met a lot of people and enjoyed every bit of the training sessions. I hope you are doing fine as well. Sincerely, Cee"
Cee Vang
Graduated from: California State University, Fresno
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Location in Korea: Busan
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Location in Korea: Busan
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hi Ms. Huysamen, Sorry for the delayed reply. Things have been pretty hectic over here! It was even crazier when I first started working because just a week later, we had summer intensives, achievement tests, and project competition. A few weeks ago, we started the new term. I'm teaching C1 EC4 and Tera, and C2 Mega and Birdie. I think the students and I get along pretty well. I make most of them laugh so it usually keeps them engaged. My favorites parts are bantering with the middle schoolers and doing projects with the elementary schoolers. Especially when the quiet kids start enthusiastically participating! So far, I've felt very comfortable in Korea despite the language barrier. I miss my friends and family, but I don't feel the need to go home. In my free time, I hang out with my coworkers and trainee friends. I'm trying to explore as many districts in Seoul as I can! And I'm currently on my way to Busan by Mugunghwa train for Chuseok. I'm glad I got the non-housing contract. I love the villa I picked out. My FM is also very understanding and treats everyone with respect, but gives helpful feedback. If I recall correctly, she recently won an FM award with Chungdahm! She is one of the hardest working people I have ever met in my life. Thank you for checking in!"
SangYa Bae
Graduated from: University of Wisconsin
Hometown: Winnetka, IL
Location in Korea: Songpa
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Winnetka, IL
Location in Korea: Songpa
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hi Tijana I am sooo sorry for only replying now. Things have been so busy with the new term starting and having to get to know all the new kids, celebrating Chuseok and travelling. I almost cannot believe that it has been 7 months. I have settled into my apartment and made it my own, and have also settled in really well at school. All the staff members are really nice and I have made friends with them as well. I am really enjoying teaching and by now the kids have gotten so used to me that they built up the courage to tell me to stop dancing, because it hurts their eyes:) 🙂 🙂 At this point I am really considering staying more than one year, but I also miss home so much. So I have been considering going home after my contract expires and applying again after a few months. The travelling has also been amazing. So far I've been to Jeju Island, Daegu, Busan and also sightseeing all the places in Seoul. I still have a list of places I want to see before February 🙂 It has been so enriching and interesting to learn more about Korean culture and history, and I have to say that Koreans are so friendly, even though we don't understand each other most of the time 🙂 I'll end by saying that I don't regret any minute of my time here in Korea. Kind regards Danushka"
Danushka Mouton
Graduated from: Stellenbosch University
Hometown: Upington, South Africa
Location in Korea: Sejong
School: April Institute Program
Hometown: Upington, South Africa
Location in Korea: Sejong
School: April Institute Program
“Hello Tijana, It is good to hear from you! I feel like I have settled in pretty well here. My classes are definitely (normally) a highlight of my days. I have April students on MWF and although they are full of crazy energy, their vibe is just so positive that it always lifts my spirits. I am really thrilled that I was hired to be the April teacher for my whole year. I recently got a chance to celebrate Chuseok with a Korean family and go apple picking with them out by their country home. It was a really fun and heart warming experience! It took a while to make friends here but after several months I felt like I had adjusted to a lot of the differences in culture and had a great group of people to be around. Its great to have a mix of friends from all over the world again, Korea, New Zealand, British and South African! I have also found a number of hiking and coffee friends, two of my favorite things to do. I tried to find a good couple of pictures for you as well 🙂 Thank you for continuing to check in with me and I hope you are doing well, Amanda W."
Amanda Williams
Graduated from: South Dakota State University
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Location in Korea: Jeonju
School: April Institute Program
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Location in Korea: Jeonju
School: April Institute Program
“Hi Colette! Sorry for not replying to your last email, this has been a couple of mega stressful weeks. I just moved into my new place yesterday, so I am finally feeling like my world is calming down. My apartment is a cute little villa divisional near Konkuk University, kind of amongst a whole bunch of cafes and bars. Its such a cool, young, hip area, I am so excited to start exploring it! I'm especially excited because there is a great old-fashioned market right up the street, and I made friends with a sweet old man who sells plants! One little thing about me is that I absolutely LOVE plants, and am excited to start cultivating some that I haven't gotten a chance to work with before! I really like my branch. Mike, my boss, is really nice and super supportive. We are the "flagship" branch, which means we beta test different ways of teaching the Chungdahm curriculum. So I get to try out new ways of teaching and have input on whether or not they work, which is super exciting! My branch is having a bit of a shuffle up right now, with some teachers moving to other branches and some other teachers coming in, so I don't really know anyone very well yet. But everyone I have met seem really nice and welcoming! I start teaching on Monday, with 8 classes. I haven't met any of my students yet, but I am excited to start working with them! I haven't really done a lot of sightseeing yet, but I am planning to go climb to Namsan tower with some friends from my training group this coming Saturday! I also want to go the national art museum soon- they are having a modern art exhibit that looks really awesome! All in all, this process has been extremely stressful but also really fun. I have made some friends that I can see being close with for forever, and have found literally the cutest place to live. I think the next few weeks should calm down, and life will get a bit less stressful. Thanks so much for checking in! And thank you again for all of your help in getting me here! Best, Amelia Lamp"
Amelia Lamp
Graduated from: Harvard University
Hometown: Reno, NV
Location in Korea: Chungdahm
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Reno, NV
Location in Korea: Chungdahm
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hello Kathryn! Thank you for checking in! Things have been going well. I also can't believe it's already been so long - time has honestly flown by. Summer went well, it was hot but we made it through. I also participated in teaching the summer intensive classes at my academy, which was a good experience. I haven't done much traveling just yet, but I'm planning on taking a trip to Kyoto with a coworker for the Chuseok holiday here in a few days. After that, I'm hoping to explore Korea more in the free time I have on weekends and on my week vacation in November. As for classes, I'm always trying to learn, improve, and hone my craft. However, I definitely have seen many improvements and have been able to see myself catching mistakes or spaces for improvement more quickly than before and have thus been able to tweak things faster. This is something I'm definitely grateful for and, overall, I just look forward to continuing to grow and become a more successful teacher for the students. As for the students, overall they're great. I'm always continuing to build rapport with new and old students and they continue to teach and amuse me daily. This term's students are a mixed bag, but I think they will challenge and stretch me as a teacher in various ways which I will undoubtedly be grateful for. I also have the chance to teach two classes of the highest level the academy offers. This has especially been an opportunity for growth and I find myself enjoying those classes a lot. All in all, there are still things to look forward to and explore both in and outside of the workplace! Thank you for your help along the journey from the beginning, up until this point. I hope I was able to provide a sufficient update! Thanks again for checking in! Best, Taylor Perry"
Taylor Perry
Graduated from: University of North Texas
Hometown: Cibolo, TX
Location in Korea: Suwon Yeongtong
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Cibolo, TX
Location in Korea: Suwon Yeongtong
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hi Tijana! Thank you so much for checking in with me during training week and this weekend! Sorry for the late reply. I have been adjusting well, both at Chungdahm and with my new home! I settled into my apartment which is only a short subway ride away from the school. Today (with the help of my mom who graciously flew here with me to help facilitate the process) I was able to sort out my commute successfully! Since I found my own apartment, it is about a half hour instead of walking distance like the other trainees have. Training week was intense, as expected, but I loved my training group and we all worked together outside of training hours to prepare for our mocks. Additionally we ate meals together, and two of the girls in my group are also at the Songpa branch! My trainer, Anna Kwon, was amazing, and our faculty manager, Ginny, has been so helpful. We will have training and shadowing sessions this week and next week and have appointments Wednesday 11/13 to get our ARC. Once I receive that I will open a bank account, get WiFi at my apartment, and set up a proper phone plan. I have a temporary one that my cousin opened in his name just for the month to help me out! Finances are a bit tight since we don’t get paid until Christmas and got here so much earlier than our true start date, but when I had my first phone call with Ben Ha he had mentioned that sometimes they will reimburse the flight before your first paycheck in certain cases so I am going to inquire about that today with my FM. Honestly other than that, everything has been amazing. I love the city and am excited to fully immerse myself in the culture. I cannot possibly thank you enough for all your help throughout this process! I will check back in periodically to let you know how things are going! Best regards, Charlene Briggs"
Charlene Briggs
Graduated from: University of Scranton
Hometown: Clarksville, TN
Location in Korea: Songpa
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Clarksville, TN
Location in Korea: Songpa
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hi Colette, It's definitely been a somewhat hectic and overwhelming week. But I'm really happy that we got substantial training and that I'm at the end of it now! I met a couple teachers at my branch today, and they’re all really friendly. Things are coming together! Thanks for all your support and patience throughout the visa and application process! "
Shuang Guan
Graduated from: Swathmore College
Hometown: New Haven, CT
Location in Korea: Songpa
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: New Haven, CT
Location in Korea: Songpa
School: Chungdahm Institute
“I highly recommend going through Aclipse to teach in Korea. My recruiter, Tijana is amazing. She was so helpful every step of the way and made sure to answer all of my questions. If you want to teach in Korea, look no further and make sure to ask for Tijana! "
Shenna Gotong
Graduated from: San Francisco State University
Hometown: Fairfield, CA
Location in Korea: Bundang
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Fairfield, CA
Location in Korea: Bundang
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hi Colette, Thank you for reaching out to me. It’s been a crazy week, but I love South Korea and I am so excited to be here! The training went well. I had a really great trainer and group. There was a lot of information during training, but I definitely feel more prepared now. Once again, thank you for all your help and making this possible! Kind regards, Amy Karpowicz "
Amy Karpowicz
Graduated from: University of Missouri at Columbia
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Location in Korea: Songpa Munjeong
School: April Institute Program
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Location in Korea: Songpa Munjeong
School: April Institute Program
“Jessica, We have had a great first week and a few days! Training was great! The mocks are very helpful because you get feedback right away that you can use to improve your teaching. We had a great trainer that was willing to help us and not afraid to tell us how to make changes. We are moving into our place today in about an hour and will be getting settled in during the next few days! Abbey"
Abbey Jacobson
Graduated from: Oregon State University
Hometown: Corvallis, OR
Location in Korea: Daechi
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Corvallis, OR
Location in Korea: Daechi
School: Chungdahm Institute
“I’m so thankful for all the help and advice Colette gave me during the application process and even after I came to Korea. She was always very quick to respond to my questions and very kind! Aclipse made the process of moving abroad and applying for a Visa easy and painless and I’m so grateful for this experience! "
Monica Russo
Graduated from: Texas A&M University
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Location in Korea: Busan
School: Centum City iGarten
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Location in Korea: Busan
School: Centum City iGarten
“Although I’m a greenhorn traveler, one still learning the ropes, I can confidently say that without Tijana’s dedication, I wouldn’t be fulfilling this life-long goal of living abroad. She was always available, day or night, even before I signed formal agreements to come to Korea. In this way, Aclipse, but more specifically Tijana, really impressed me. Cheers Tijana, thanks for everything you’ve helped me accomplish.- Alex "
Alexander Williard
Graduated from: The Ohio State University
Hometown: Glenwood Springs, CO
Location in Korea: Haeundae
School: Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: Glenwood Springs, CO
Location in Korea: Haeundae
School: Chungdahm April Program
“Hi Tijana!!! It’s been very... intense these past couple weeks. CDI training in itself wasn’t hard and the trainers were very nice, but the time crunch was very hard! It took a lot of late night studying to learn to think and act like a CDI instructor. The job isn’t as simple as being an English teacher. I was surprised to find out that we wouldn’t be focusing on literature or grammar. It’s more about preparing students for tests and functional understanding of English - which is a whole other set of skills and took practice getting used to. And the tablets! I thought I’d never figure out how to work them! But in the end, I did somehow lol. So classes begin! And I’m glad I was introduced before jumping headfirst into it. Now I’m doing April training while teaching April classes. It is easier than CDL! So far it does have its own hardships for whole other reasons. I really had to fake til I made it through the end of my first classes because I haven’t been fully trained yet. But I enjoy the kids and they seem to like me! I hope at least... And I LOVE my apartment. My supervisor really helped me by having the real estate agent find a nice size apartment for my wife and I, and for a great price. I overall feel really humbled by how much the staff really dedicated to their employees. I hope I covered everything! Thanks for helping me become involved in this opportunity! I’m so grateful! Sincerely, Claude-Michel "
Claude Moise
Graduated from: Wesleyan University
Hometown: Apopka, FL
Location in Korea: Saha
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Apopka, FL
Location in Korea: Saha
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Tijana was an awesome recruiter and an invaluable resource on my journey toward teaching in Korea. She was extremely knowledgeable and accessible, even responding during traditional “off hours.” She also always followed up with thorough answers to my many, many questions so promptly. I am so grateful I was able to work with her honestly. Since she had a lot of experience working with Chungdahm, I felt like I got a lot of first-hand testimony and feedback about what it’s like working here, and it definitely influenced my positively when accepting the offer to work here. I was initially concerned I couldn’t be placed in Seoul (placed in Daejeon), and Tijana really allayed my concerns about it. I’ve ended up loving working in this province, and I’ve realized I like it a lot more than I would a bustling place like Seoul. 10/10 would recommend working with Tijana and Aclipse again. I’ve spoken to other teachers who went other routes to get to Chungdahm, and my experience seems preferable. "
Rebekah Alcalde
Graduated from: The Catholic University of America
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Location in Korea: Daejeon
School: Chungdahm iGarten
Hometown: Rockville, MD
Location in Korea: Daejeon
School: Chungdahm iGarten
“I had the pleasure of working with Jessica at Aclipse during my application process. From the first discussion and interview, all the way to my contract signing, Jessica provided excellent support and answered all of my questions. She has thorough knowledge of working at CDL, and in Korea in general. She did a great job of staying in touch and following up with every detail of the process. Now that I am living and working in Korea, I can say that all of assistance given by Aclipse has really helped a lot with my adjustment and day-to-day experience. I wholeheartedly recommend Aclipse as a great resource for finding employment in Korea! "
Michael S
Graduated from: University of Notre Dame
Hometown: Marina California
Location in Korea: Yeongtong
School: Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: Marina California
Location in Korea: Yeongtong
School: Chungdahm April Program
“Hi Tijana, We are loving our time in Korea so far! We definitely found a great fit at our academy and we were welcomed into the school team with open arms. We really enjoy teaching the April lesson content and we have found it easier to connect with our kids with content that has been created to try to suit as many different kids as possible. We have adapted well in Korea. Being in a smaller city, in Gumi has made it a lot easier to meet new people and make friends. We have a fantastic foreigner bar where we have been able to make friends with a lot of other foreigners and share experiences of our school lives and personal lives in Korea too. We have had the opportunity to travel around Korea a bit being able to travel to various different places on tours, including Jeju Island for Lunar New Year and Jindo Island for the sea parting festival. We are slowly learning the language, knowing enough to survive and be able to order food when we go to a restaurant, Korean BBQ being our favorite so far (sticking to our South African roots of getting the closest thinh to a braai we can). We find that the students are very interested in teaching us their language as much as we are of teaching them ours. This is often the best time that we have with our students in terms of making real connections with them and seeing their faces light up when we say something in Korean to them, even it being just hello. We loved seeing the Cherry Blossoms on Spring and relished our time walking in to work every day under a canopy of Cherry blossom trees! Gumi is a beautiful city that we have enjoyed exploring and experiencing as a home. Have a wonderful day! Kind regards, Michelle Cloete "
Michelle Cloete
Graduated from: University of the Witwatersrand
Hometown: South Africa
Location in Korea: Gumi
School: Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: South Africa
Location in Korea: Gumi
School: Chungdahm April Program
“Hello Jessica, I would like to thank you so much for your email and apologize for my late response, when you intially sent the email I was on my vacation for the New Year in Singapore and Thailand. I also wanted to say I really appreciate you doing all you did to provide me with this opportunity and I greatly appreciate it!! I have had a very nice time with my students and met very amazing coworkers. This opportunity has allowed me to learn a lot about myself, as well as the path I would like to walk in the future. I hope that over the remainder of my stay here whether that be another six months or a few more years, I continue to learn and grow and leave a better person than I came. Again I would like to thank you for the opportunity and any future opportunities that could arise. I am extremely grateful and hope to continue hearing from you in the future! I hope you had a wonderful Holiday season and an amazing Valentine’s Day!! Best Wishes, Imani Brown "
Imani Brown
Graduated from: Pace University
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Location in Korea: Incheon Songdo
School: Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Location in Korea: Incheon Songdo
School: Chungdahm April Program
“Hi Colette! It's so nice to hear from you, thank you for checking in! I'm having an amazing time so far. I love my apartment and the area is actually lots of fun even though it's quite a ways from the center on public transport. My branch seems great so far and everyone's been very welcoming, I don't start teaching until tomorrow but I'm really excited! Sightseeing has been a little on and off because training week was very busy and since then it's been hectic with moving in, in-branch training, and getting documents and such, but I've gotten the chance to hit Hongdae and Itaewon a few times as well as go to a music festival last night with some friends from training which was beyond fantastic! Loving the city so far and can't wait to see more of it. Hope everything is going great on your end and thank you so much for your help with getting me here! Erin Barton"
Erin Barton
Graduated from: University of Pittsburgh
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Location in Korea: Junggye
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Location in Korea: Junggye
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hi Colette! It's so great to hear from you. I'm really enjoying teaching so far; the kids are really fantastic. I'm teaching mostly kindergarten aged children and a few elementary school age kids! I was also asked to teach a Chungdahm class which I am also really enjoying! The location is actually really nice. It may be far out from the middle of Seoul but it's nice to be in a quieter area. In my free time I usually go shopping with my coworkers and go to the movies! I haven't had the opportunity to do much sightseeing yet. A coworker and I did go to a famous traditional market and we plan on going to the Daegu light festival at the end of next month! We also hope to go to a palace soon and we want to rent hanboks beforehand! I think I would definitely recommend this location to others looking teach; all the teachers here are very welcoming and great to work with! So glad to have heard from you, hope all is well! Skyelar "
Skyelar Sterzinger
Graduated from: University of Minnesota
Hometown: Cottage Grove, MN
Location in Korea: Songpa Munjeong
School: Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: Cottage Grove, MN
Location in Korea: Songpa Munjeong
School: Chungdahm April Program
“Hello Jessica, Thank you for checking in. Everything is going well on my end. Time has flown by for sure 🙂 I have got to explore so much of Korea already. I have found a new passion for teaching so I am 90% sure I will stay in Korea another year! I have had a couple friends ask me about teaching in Korea so I have forwarded your email to them. I hope you are doing well too. Thanks again for checking up. "
Ma Thazin
Graduated from: Indiana University
Hometown: Northern Fort Wayne, IN
Location in Korea: Pyeongtaek
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Northern Fort Wayne, IN
Location in Korea: Pyeongtaek
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hi Colette, thanks for reaching out! I didn’t end up going to any big cherry blossom festivals, but my town had a small festival and I was able to enjoy the flowers from home! Things are going better than I ever expected! My branch manager is great, my school location is perfect (I’m able to get to Seoul in ~40 mins by bullet train), my coworkers are all very friendly, and the kids are adorable! Thank you again for helping me get where I am now! I’ve been dreaming of teaching overseas for years, and it feels surreal to finally be here!"
Carly Messenger
Graduated from: Binghamton University
Hometown: Northern Pittsford, NY
Location in Korea: Asan Tangjeong
School: Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: Northern Pittsford, NY
Location in Korea: Asan Tangjeong
School: Chungdahm April Program
“Dear Kathryn, Sorry it's been a while since we've spoken. It has been a hectic couple of months trying to get settled in and I can't believe how quickly time has gone by. I've been really enjoying working and living in Cheonan. It's a quiet, nice sized city where everything I need is just within a 20 min walk at most. Also being so close to a KTX station has been really convenient for getting around Korea. I've spent most weekends exploring Seoul, but so far I've been to Busan, Gwangju and took a spontaneous trip to Nagoya in Japan. Going to Japan was expensive but worth the trip especially for cherry blossom season. Food here is great. There's so many options for cheap delicious food. Yeah I really do love the diversity especially when it comes to all the side dishes that available. Luckily I didn't have to learn how to use chopsticks because trying to learn Korean is already pretty tough. I was studying beforehand but being immersed in Korean just reminds me of how much more I need to learn. As for teaching I'm happy with my branch. I have a great head instructor who has been really supportive and patient with me. After training I felt really overwhelmed with all the material and was worried about classroom management. Fortunately I was given a lot of good pointers that now I feel a lot more comfortable as a teacher and have begun to really enjoy my classes. During training week was the only time I've had the opportunity to make friends with people from other branches. Some of us still keep in touch but it has been hard to get together since a lot of us weren't placed close to one another. Overall, I've been enjoying my experience so far and I'd like to thank you again for all your help and giving me the opportunity. I hope all is well with you and you are enjoying your weekend. Sincerely, Kerstina "
Kerstina Cabading
Graduated from: McMaster University
Hometown: Northern Toronto, ON
Location in Korea: Cheonan
School: Chungdahm Institute
Hometown: Northern Toronto, ON
Location in Korea: Cheonan
School: Chungdahm Institute
“Hello Colette, Thank you for checking in! It has been a fantastic experience so far, I have greatly enjoyed the first two weeks in Seoul. Training week was good, there was a lot to take. I think my trainer was fantastic and really laid out clear expectations. He stressed the importance of preparation and our group took it to heart, so we did a lot of preparation and studying together. The final evaluation was fairly intense, but I think that we just had some jitters because we all seemed to get better as the evaluations went on. I'm thankful that we had a good trainer who got us focused early in the training week. And I was able to bond pretty well with other trainees as a result. A few of us still stay in touch and we are actually planning a Thanksgiving celebration for later this week. The apartment hunting was also good, but pretty wild as well. I went from apartment hunting with a realtor to moving in in just a matter of two days. I am thrilled by my new place, it is right in Gangnam, close to a major metro line and bus stops, and is just 15-20 minutes from the Daechi branch. It came furnished with a bed, futon, desk and small table which was very convenient. I know some of the other trainees had to get a bed delivered to them or are still on an air mattress waiting on a bed to arrive. And the view is sublime, I can see the mountains to the south which is a huge bonus. Lastly the branch has been great so far. My team manager has been very helpful, he set me up with a few classroom observations and it was very helpful. I took some good notes and gathered a few ideas for lesson prepping. The other teachers have been very friendly as well, a few of them live in my building as well which is awfully helpful. There is a branch meeting and end of term dinner on Thursday which I am very excited for. Overall things have been going very well. I am excited to start teaching and learning on the job. I am so thrilled to be living in one of the greatest cities in the world and teaching as well. Thank you again for all of your help along this process, I would not have made it to Seoul if it wasn't for you. Best regards, Evan Jouzapaitis"
Evan Jouzapaitis
Graduated from: Purdue University
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Location in Korea: Daechi
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Location in Korea: Daechi
School: ChungDahm Institute
“Hello Tijana, I hope you are doing well! It was nice to check my inbox and see a familiar name pop up! Everything has been going very well here in Jeonju, much better than I think I could have hoped for, at least thus far. The move was smoother than I expected, even with catching a terrible head cold right before leaving Britain! Training, which already feels just ages away, was a great experience to have coming into such a foreign country. I was able to make friends with people in the same situation and experience it all together. Moving to Jeonju was a bit frightening, as almost everyone else was moving into larger more well-known cities. At this point though, I am really happy that I was placed here, it is a great size, everything being accessible by bike, which I made sure to get after the first month living here! Cherry blossom season was incredible and some Korean friends have taken me out to some special parks in the area where the azaleas are just profuse and everything is incredibly brilliant. The flowers and aesthetic beauty that they have created here is different than any other country that I have visited. Teaching has also been wonderful. Many people sound like they have a rough time of it, finding a hagwon that is a comfortable fit for their first couple of years, and yet I really enjoy the classes I teach and the kids I have, as well as the schedule. Always pros and cons, but at this point I definitely still feel lucky I ended up here! Even the part of Jeonju that I live in is really quite nice and convenient. Thank you so much for sending me an email! I hope that all is well on your side of the world, and wouldn't mind hearing from you again soon! Amanda "
Amanda Williams
Graduated from: South Dakota State University
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Location in Korea: Jeonju
School: Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: Aberdeen, SD
Location in Korea: Jeonju
School: Chungdahm April Program
“Going through Aclipse to work in South Korea was the smartest decision I could have made. Aclipse prepares each applicant with so much information and insight to the process. My Aclipse recruiter made sure that I was an applicant that would pass training and secure a job, so there was no doubt by the time I arrived in Korea if I was right for the job. I would not change my application process in any way. "
Jennifer Rohloff
Graduated from: University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
Location in Korea: Dongnae
School: Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
Location in Korea: Dongnae
School: Chungdahm April Program
“Colette made getting to Korea turn from a dream into a real feasible plan. She was there to answer all of our questions throughout the process and even checked in on us after we arrived in Korea and again after we started teaching. She made sure we knew she was always available to help, even after our jobs started. "
Wayne Rogers
Graduated from: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Location in Korea: Bucheon
School: Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Location in Korea: Bucheon
School: Chungdahm April Program
“I am very happy with my branch location so far - apparently Seocho has one of the best reputations among the Seoul branches, and they do a great job of managing and supporting teachers, which has already been evident. My team manager helped so much in the apartment process and has made it clear that he's available for any questions regarding getting settled. I'm really excited to start working there!"
Rebecca Fritz
Graduated from: Notre Dame University
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Location in Korea: Seoul
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Columbia, MD
Location in Korea: Seoul
School: ChungDahm Institute
“Anneonghaseyo Tijana I hope you are doing well 🙂 Wow, these almost three months have been overwhelming, exciting and so far the best experience of my life. I am having a great time teaching both April and Chungdahm, and the kids are always friendly and eager to learn, which makes my job so much more rewarding!!! I have also made friends with some of the other English teachers, they have been going out of their way to help me and show me around. So far I've had the pleasure of visiting Gobok Natural Park to see the lovely cherrie blossoms, Dweeungbark Village and the amazing Beartree Park. Shopping at the traditional markets are also a lot of fun, and everyone there is so friendly!! On my list for the next few months is Busan, Jeju Island and Japan. I have no regrets about my decision to teach in South Korea. Again, I would like to thank you for all your help and guidance along the way Tijana. I really appreciate it!!! :)) Danushka "
Danushka Mouton
Graduated from: Stellenbosch University
Hometown: Northern Cape, South Africa
Location in Korea: Sejong
School: Chungdahm Institute and Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: Northern Cape, South Africa
Location in Korea: Sejong
School: Chungdahm Institute and Chungdahm April Program
“Living in Asia had always been a dream of mine- one that seemed impossible to do. I cannot stress just how easy Aclipse made this whole process for me. I worked with Colette, who was nothing short of helpful and attentive throughout the whole process. I got all the help I needed and the exact instructions on how to complete my paperwork and just in case I was unsure of something Colette was always available to help me out. I worked at the Cheonan CDI branch for a year and 3 months and I will forever be thankful to Aclipse for having paired me with such a magnificent academy full of the most amazing coworkers and even more amazing students. This truly is the experience of a lifetime and if you have any doubts or you’re scared like I was, I say- do it! You will never regret experiencing this amazing opportunity in a beautiful country with unforgettable people."
Maria D. Mino
Graduated from: Florida State University
Hometown: Miami, FL
Location in Korea: Cheonan
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Miami, FL
Location in Korea: Cheonan
School: ChungDahm Institute
“When my husband and I decided we wanted to teach in Korea, Aclipse seemed perfect since they work with reliable schools ieth branches all over. My friend recommended Collette. She was absolutely wonderful to work with. She set expectations and told us exactly what we needed to do by when. She made the process as painless as possible. Obtaining the proper government materials was somewhat stressful, but Collette helped us do it right and reassured us the wait was normal. The branch and location where we taught were perfect. "
Natalie Zdan
Graduated from: Principia College
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Location in Korea: Bucheon
School: Chungdahm April Program
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Location in Korea: Bucheon
School: Chungdahm April Program
“When I decided to teach in Korea, I knew I wanted to work with Aclipse. Starting my application was as easy as clicking the "Apply Now" button! Within one week, I had an interview with a recruiter, as well as feedback for next steps. My recruiter, Colette, was super helpful and available to answer any questions I had. She provided guidance on exactly where I needed to go and which documents I needed to bring, so I could quickly gather the necessary paperwork for my visa application. I received an offer to teach in Korea within three weeks of applying. My recruiter kept in touch with me, helped me figure out travel logistics, and even coached me on the types of questions I should ask my lead teacher. When I landed in Korea, it was reassuring knowing that I could reach out to my recruiter at any time with any concerns. The best thing about working with Aclipse is although I have been in Korea for some time, I can still reach out to Aclipse with any questions or concerns I may have. This type of sustained connection between recruiter and recruit is one of the benefits of choosing Aclipse."
Christine S.
Graduated from: Howard University
Hometown: Washington, DC
Location in Korea: Seoul
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Washington, DC
Location in Korea: Seoul
School: ChungDahm Institute
“I have now been living in Korea for 9 months and it has been a truly life changing experience. My confidence has grown immensely and my teaching skills have improved immeasurably. Aclipse has supported me throughout my whole journey; from application to moving to working 9 months later. My recruiter, Collette, answered all of my questions and concerns and made the transition to a new job and country a smooth one. Living in Korea has afforded me so many opportunities that I would not have had access to had I stayed in my home country. I have met some lifelong friends along the way, and if given the chance to do it all again, would certainly do so."
Louise Izzard
Graduated from: The University of Reading
Hometown: East Sussex, England
Location in Korea: Pyeongchon, Anyang
School: ChungDahm April Programme
Hometown: East Sussex, England
Location in Korea: Pyeongchon, Anyang
School: ChungDahm April Programme
“Not once have I regretted using Aclipse as a means of finding teaching work in South Korea. I received a lot of help from Jessica in getting my paperwork sorted and was able to get a decent idea of what lay ahead of me. It is thanks to her and Aclipse that I now enjoy a fulfilling role in the company of people I now call friends."
Joel Watts
Graduated from: University of Sunderland
Hometown: Midleton, Ireland
Location in Korea: Gwangju
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Midleton, Ireland
Location in Korea: Gwangju
School: ChungDahm Institute
“Hi Ms. Keil, I hope all is well! The training was intense but certainly useful and a great opportunity to improve my instruction. I have become more familiar with the instructional material and methodology, which is extremely helpful, especially after having the chance to observe the classes I will be taking over. The experience so far has certainly expanded my view on teaching, gives me an opportunity to explore new curriculum, and has helped me to better understand my role as a teacher at Chungdahm. I arrived to my apartment and branch yesterday afternoon and am now settling in. I feel very welcomed by my branch manager and coworkers and I even got a chance to meet some of the students I will be working with. Having a bit of insight before my first day of how things work at my branch has definitely helped me to better prepare for my first day. The city seems to be a perfect fit for me, as it’s not too big or busy but has a lot of conveniences, places to explore, and interesting restaurants. Also, it’s easy for me to travel outside the city. While my Korean is very basic, I know how to read the writing and that has made me more comfortable when going out. I am thrilled that I have a chance to learn another language and actually use it on a daily basis. It’s been quite easy to adjust here thus far and I am excited to learn more about this country, its people, and the language. Thank you very much for helping me throughout the entire process. You gave me a lot of insight and information that has made the transition from back at home to here so much smoother and comfortable. I am very happy with my decision to come to South Korea to teach and I am looking forward to the adventures I will have in teaching and in life here!"
Amanda Abercrombie
Graduated from: Temple University
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Location in Korea: Uijeongbu
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Location in Korea: Uijeongbu
School: ChungDahm Institute
“I have had a blast here. Exploring Seoul and many other Korean cities like Busan, Suwon, Pyeongtaek, and Jeonju has been so wonderful. Additionally, Jeju island was simply breathtaking. I have also been able to travel to Japan, Indonesia, Canada, and will be venturing to Thailand next month. Aside from the traveling opportunities, I really love working with these students each day. They are so bright and insightful, not to mention funny. I have an awesome branch manager and great co-workers and truly enjoy what I do here. Obviously, it's clear to see why I am interested in staying longer!"
Bianca Lilavois
Graduated from: University of Missouri
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Location in Korea: Osan
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Location in Korea: Osan
School: ChungDahm Institute
“I am really glad I got in contact with Aclipse, as my recruiter Colette had been a great help through the entire application process. Within a couple months I was all set to go and take a leap into a new experience - and I am grateful I did. So far the experience has been great as I was fortunate enough to be placed at a great Chungdahm branch, in the beautiful city of Seongnam just south of Seoul. If you have any questions, Aclipse is there to answer them. Not once did I feel uncertain about jumping at this awesome opportunity!"
Russell Canceran
Graduated from: University of Toronto
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Location in Korea: Seongnam
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Location in Korea: Seongnam
School: ChungDahm Institute
“If I were given the opportunity to turn my life around completely but had to keep one thing the same, I would keep teaching in South Korea - hands down. I feel so blessed to have experienced this in my life. Aclipse was the only recruitment agency I got in touch with, and it was worth it. My recruiter Colette took me through each step until I was in Korea. It was such a smooth process. Chungdahm was a great place to teach at. The staff was friendly. The students were great, and I learned so much from them. I was placed in Dongdaemun branch in Seoul along with four other people from my training session. Call it lucky, but I got a good head start with Aclipse and the people I met in my first week. Life after that just got better and better. I am currently working at the University of Alberta where I meet students on a daily basis that have no idea what they are doing after they graduate. The only thing I say to them is, "Go to South Korea and make lots of money. Have an experience of a lifetime, and pay off that student loan. You owe this to yourself.” Good luck."
Sobia Samad
Graduated from: University of Toronto
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Location in Korea: Dongdaemun, Seoul
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Location in Korea: Dongdaemun, Seoul
School: ChungDahm Institute
“Aclipse is awesome! I applied to multiple recruiting services earlier this year and they were the first to respond. My recruiter, Jessica Keil, answered all my questions (and trust me, there were a lot). She also helped me convince my parents that Korea was safe. Jessica was very honest with me during our phone assessments and was patient with me when I had trouble obtaining certain documents. When I applied to Aclipse, I was fresh out of college. I had done some tutoring and camp counseling, but I didn’t have experience teaching 10+ students in a classroom setting. I was nervous about if my students would respect me or if I was qualified enough to teach them. But Chungdham’s week-long training really prepared me for what was in store at my April branch. And even after I arrived, the other teachers (foreign and Korean) helped fill in any gaps. Finally, I’ve been in Korea for more than a month now and I’m so happy I came. I love my students, my co-workers and my city. Thus, I would 100% recommend Aclipse to anyone who’s thinking of teaching in Korea!"
May McQueen
Graduated from: Mount Holyoke College
Hometown: Washington D.C.
Location in Korea: Bucheon
School: ChungDahm April Program
Hometown: Washington D.C.
Location in Korea: Bucheon
School: ChungDahm April Program
“As a graduating student at York University, I had mixed emotions about my future. I knew that I wanted to teach abroad but I wasn't sure of what steps to take or if I would be placed with a reputable company. Aclipse was the first recruiter who reached out to me when I started applying for teaching positions in Korea. At first, I was apprehensive about going forward with only one recruiter as I have heard of the challenges of dealing with recruiters. However, my Aclipse recruiter Colette answered all of my questions and concerns. Throughout the entire application process, she ensured that I knew what steps to take, what I would need, and responded back to my emails in a timely manner. Leading up to my depature, I recieved emails from Aclipse about my big move to Korea. I was also able to search their blog for any tips on how to pass training week as well as how to get through my first week of teaching. After passing training week, I moved to the CDI April branch in Jeonju where I was welcomed with open arms. My branch manager and co-workers provided me with the assistance that I needed to make a smooth transition into my new role as a teacher. Although training week is over and I am now placed at my branch, Colette maintains regular check ups to ensure that I am doing well in my new role as an ESL teacher. Taking a chance with Aclipse is a decision that I do not regret. If you are looking for a teaching position in Korea, I would strongly recommend using them as a recruiter."
Romy Darius
Graduated from: York University
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Location in Korea: Jeonju
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Location in Korea: Jeonju
School: ChungDahm Institute
“After finishing university, I knew I wanted to work abroad but I had no idea where to start. I was mainly focused on teaching in Europe, so when someone suggested Korea, I wasn't sure what to think. Aclipse provided so much information, before and during the application process, that when I finally arrived I felt really prepared for everything that Korea involves. My recruiter was consistently professional, helpful, friendly, and kind. From the complicated visa procedure to a simple packing checklist, everything was made as smooth and pain-free as possible. I would definitely recommend Aclipse for people wanting to come to Korea--and even people who don't think Korea is right for them. The world is full of surprises."
Keegan A.
Graduated from: American University
Hometown: Gig Harbor, Washington
Location in Korea: Seodaemun
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: Gig Harbor, Washington
Location in Korea: Seodaemun
School: ChungDahm Institute
“If anyone is thinking about teaching abroad I would highly recommend Aclipse. They made the entire process for my wife and I very easy. There are many steps to go through and our recruiter Colette did an amazing job quickly replying to every question we had, regardless of how random or weird the questions may have been. We had a not so good experience with a different company when we went to Taiwan, and were a bit hesitant at first when starting our second teaching abroad journey, but quickly felt at ease with the help that Aclipse provided. We even had some extra steps to take due to some background issues and they had no problem changing our move out date so we could get them resolved. They really made moving out here simple and worry free."
Mike Boulter
Graduated from: University of Colorado Denver
Hometown: Littleton, Colorado
Location in Korea: Songdo
School: ChungDahm April Program
Hometown: Littleton, Colorado
Location in Korea: Songdo
School: ChungDahm April Program
“When I first sent my application into Aclipse for a teaching job in Korea I was still on the fence about whether or not I really wanted to go because I honestly expected the application process to be confusing and complicated. My application experience was the total opposite thank you to the help of my recruiter, Kathryn, who was always quick to respond to my questions and provide me with all the information I needed throughout the process. She has also been in contact with me since my arrival which I thought was very personable of her. Aclipse is definitely a reliable company that I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about working overseas!"
Kate T.
Graduated from: Carleton University
Hometown: Vancouver, Canada
Location in Korea: Gangnam
Schools: ChungDahm I-garten
Hometown: Vancouver, Canada
Location in Korea: Gangnam
Schools: ChungDahm I-garten
“Aclipse was incredibly helpful in getting me from the idea of teaching in Korea to actually being in Korea. They walk you through every step and it was the best recruitment process I've ever been through. If you're at all considering it, be assured that they're the real deal and it will be one of the best decisions you've ever made. Go for it!"
Zac P.
Graduated from: Heythrop College,University of London
Hometown: London, United Kingdom
Location in Korea: Seoul
School: ChungDahm Institute
Hometown: London, United Kingdom
Location in Korea: Seoul
School: ChungDahm Institute
“I had heard through friends about people going overseas to teach English abroad, and the option has satisfied my desire to travel, as well as helped me pay off my student loans. The children that I teach are between the ages of 10-16. They are a lot of fun to be around, and most days it hardly feels like work at all."
"When I first told my family and friends about going to teach overseas for a year, I received mixed responses. I can now safely say that coming to Korea has far surpassed any of my expectations. If you are the type of person who loves to travel, meet new people every day, and experience new things with an open mind, then this is where you should be.”
"When I first told my family and friends about going to teach overseas for a year, I received mixed responses. I can now safely say that coming to Korea has far surpassed any of my expectations. If you are the type of person who loves to travel, meet new people every day, and experience new things with an open mind, then this is where you should be.”
Dan Parsons
Graduated from: University of Waterloo
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Location in Korea: Namwon
Schools: Haneul Middle School and Inwol Middle-High School
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Location in Korea: Namwon
Schools: Haneul Middle School and Inwol Middle-High School
“My decision to use Aclipse Recruiting to find a teach abroad position has been one of the best decisions in my life. I have been in Korea for two months and I have had nothing but positive experiences since I got here. Even the application process was simple and straightforward, and I loved how almost everything was taken care of for me."
"I was very impressed how quickly I was contacted after applying and how efficiently the hiring process was. Within six weeks, I was on my way to South Korea to start my new life as an English teacher. Once I arrived in Korea, I was greeted by friendly faces, and I was warmly welcomed to the town and schools where I would be teaching. I didn't have to worry about anything; everyone was incredibly helpful. ”
"I was very impressed how quickly I was contacted after applying and how efficiently the hiring process was. Within six weeks, I was on my way to South Korea to start my new life as an English teacher. Once I arrived in Korea, I was greeted by friendly faces, and I was warmly welcomed to the town and schools where I would be teaching. I didn't have to worry about anything; everyone was incredibly helpful. ”
Krystal Lapierre
Graduated from: University of Ottawa
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Location in Korea: Jochiwon, Yeongi County
School: Yeongi
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Location in Korea: Jochiwon, Yeongi County
School: Yeongi
“I left Texas in late February, and I have been teaching in Gwangju, South Korea for about two months now. The experience is great: the people, the friends I am making here, the students!"
"Aclipse was excellent at finding a job for me. They found a position for me with ChungDahm. They continued to check up on my status, both before and after my departure. It is an adventure I am fortunate to experience.”
"Aclipse was excellent at finding a job for me. They found a position for me with ChungDahm. They continued to check up on my status, both before and after my departure. It is an adventure I am fortunate to experience.”
Laura Wilbourn
Graduated from: Texas State University
Hometown: Sugarland, TX
Location in Korea: Gwangiu
School: Chung Dahm Institute
Hometown: Sugarland, TX
Location in Korea: Gwangiu
School: Chung Dahm Institute
“The staff is amazing and will do anything they can to help. Korean food, for the most part is pretty good, but I'm not sold on kimchi. I was exceptionally lucky to meet two Korean girls on the subway. They are part of a ‘cultural group.’ Through these two, I have met up with a soccer group and started Tae Kwon Do. Also, they are teaching me Korean. Incheon is a good location for travel, too. I have seen a good deal of Korea and took a weekend trip to Tokyo.”
Michael Morgan
Graduated from: Pennsylvania State University
Hometown: Rocky Mount, NC
Location in Korea: Incheon, Namdong-gu
School: Incheon Teacher
Hometown: Rocky Mount, NC
Location in Korea: Incheon, Namdong-gu
School: Incheon Teacher
“I'm here in South Korea and had a wonderful first week. The kids treat us like rock stars. They are so cute! I went on a field trip Friday to the zoo. The zoo is also an amusement park. I took lots of pictures. The classrooms all have large screen TVs, and the libraries would put our public schools to shame.”
Joy Hill
Attended: Virginia Commonwealth University and National-Louis University
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Location in Korea: Chungnam Province
School: Chungnam CDI
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Location in Korea: Chungnam Province
School: Chungnam CDI
Chungdahm Inside - Best Faculty Member Ruby Kim
Ruby Kim, a graduate of SMU, teaches at Kwanggyeo and tells all about the Chungdahm 4.0 program.
Learn About ChungDahm's Smart Learning Platform
Ruby Kim, a graduate of SMU, teaches at Kwanggyeo and tells all about the Chungdahm 4.0 program.
Refer A Friend!
Earn a $200 Amazon.com Gift Card:
For every friend you refer to Aclipse who is placed in a teaching position, we will award you with $200!
If you are looking to refer more than a few friends, you can earn even more! Here are the details:
- $200 each for your first 5 successful referrals
- $500 each for your 6th through 10th successful referral
- $700 each for every additional successful referral after your first 10
Any and all prior successful referrals will BE COUNTED to your running total for new referrals!
There are two ways to receive referral credit:
- When your friend applies, remind them to choose “Referral” in the section about “How did you hear about Aclipse?” and then have them put in your name and email address. If your friend is then asked to interview, remind them to mention your name again to the recruiter. Your friend must mention your name at the beginning of the process for you to receive credit.
- Or, simply email us their resume and take it from there! Email resumes to [email protected] and include both your name and email address as well as the candidate’s name and email address in the body.
Terms:
Referrers receive payment via Amazon Gift card to be paid out 30 days following the candidate’s first day of teaching.