Paid Teaching Positions in South Korea with GeoVisions

Let me start by saying, I would NOT recommend this program to anyone. To make a very long and bitter story short, here are a list of complications:

- Much like other entries seen here, their communication with me was good when they were trying to get me interested in the program, then became ridiculously painful to get a response from them afterwards.

- I contacted GeoVisions 10 months before I wanted to begin working in Korea. It wasn't until the end of the 8th month and after I quit my then-job (with the encouragement of GeoVisions) that they put me in contact with actual recruiters (Xplore Asia) who informed me at that point, that my start date was unrealistic due to the time crunch. They did not understand why Jodi had waited so long either.

- The first position the recruiters tried to set me up with was in an English Village, even though I said I did not want to teach in one. They made me do the interview anyway, it was very awkward.
*I later found out this is because recruiters work on commission.

- I happened upon information that indicated that my FBI Background Check would have to be 6 months recent in order to receive my VISA in Korea (at this point it was 9 months old, since I got it when GeoVisions told me to, back in January). I pointed this out to my recruiters who confirmed. GeoVisions acknowledged their error by agreeing to pay for the new Background Check and Apostille (at my recommendation), but never apologized or refunded any portion of my paid fees. This error on their part set me back an additional 3 months. This alone was simply unforgivable and unprofessional.

- After paying my $1,515 to GeoVisions, my Xplore Asia recruiters started heavily pressuring me to get a TESOL certification. I repeatedly told them I was not interested, but after telling me that I would not get a good position without it I agreed. I wanted to do my own research and find a program I was interested in, but the recruiters insisted that I use their program, even threatening that if I didn't use them it could delay my placement even longer (something about them having to validate the certificate). This cost me an additional $569. The course was online and was completely useless:
(1) The course was designed for people attending in person in Thailand, for the online version they simply took the powerpoint presentation from the class and uploaded it online. The slides were constantly geared towards Thailand (not where I was teaching), missing information, and confusing. I had to ask for the additional notes on the slides to be sent to me. Additionally, there was only one Skype conversation during the entire course.
(2) I was the only person signed up for this course, so instead of have me take the course alone, they had one of the employees at Xplore Asia pretend to be a student taking the class with me. I only realized this when I started receiving emails from him with an Xplore Asia email address. It was very bizarre.
(3) I learned nothing from this course. I have now been teaching in Korea for over 3 months and I can say with confidence that this course was completely useless. It was very obviously a throw-away idea, simply for making money, not for the good of the teacher. I repeat, a complete waste of money.

- After my 2nd FBI Check arrived, there were a number of other items I had to order in order to complete my paperwork in Korea. GeoVisions was COMPLETELY uninformed of what was needed and were resistant to do any research that may qualify them to help me. This delayed my process even longer.

- During the time I was waiting to go overseas, GeoVisions provided no answers on how long I would be waiting. I asked them constantly for updates emphasizing that I had quit my job and ended my lease at my apartment (at their encouragement) and had no money nor a place to live. They gave me nothing, but the occasional message about "being patient". It was frustrating, infuriating, and condescending.

I want to note that at the end of this debacle, I did receive a job offer and moved to Korea (over 1 year after my initial contact with GeoVisions and 5 months after I had originally wanted to leave). However, when I initially applied I was told I would find a job with 2-3 months paid vacation and ended up with a job with 2 weeks vacation.
*Note: Jobs with 2-3 months vacation do exist, just not at the school's that Xplore Asia was in contact with.
Additionally, my school operates under less than ideal circumstances, often replacing their entire foreign staff every year. This is not a very good sign for a school and something that GeoVisions should have been aware of, with their promise of finding credible schools with good working conditions.
I am currently working with GeoVisions to try and fill a dental insurance claim under the insurance provided for me. I will say that at this point, Lisa with GeoVisions has been helpful.

All in all, I paid over $2,000 and was extremely unsatisfied with the service. I hope that this review does not come off as an angry rant, but rather as a warning to anyone considering using this company. Please do not waste your time and money with GeoVisions!!!!!

What I recommend: Sign up for a credible TESOL course available in your area. After the course is over, the instructor will set you up with recruiters in your area of choice. If you are moving to Asia, I do not recommend using Xplore Asia as your recruiting source. This process will be much less expensive and infinitely more helpful. This is what most people do who plan to teach abroad.

Good luck!