Job Discussion Forums

[Sody]

Hi,

I tried registering for the Korean forums but it doesn't work, I can't log in.

In any case, I'm posting this here because I know that many posters on the Japan forum have also taught in Korea.

I have accepted a job in Korea and I leave this week, my flight is at the end of the week. I haven't yet received a Visa number for an E2 application and I'm worried because it is suppose to take several days for processing. Can I go to Korea without an E2 visa? Can I work without one? I won't be able to get it before I leave.

Am I being paranoid? The reason I'm nervous is because I have heard so many horror stories about Korea. The job is a public school position and the recruiter seems very professional and reputable but I'm starting to have second thoughts now. I have already sent them my degree and transcripts and signed the contract. According the the recruiter, they are having a hard time getting a Visa number from immigration.

I'm hoping someone can help me out please. I'm not an expert at these kind of things because I don't have much experience. I'm nervous about going to a new country and was hoping for advice. Thanks very much for reading this.

Sody

[Gordon]

Stay put until your visa comes through. It is their plane fare, right? They may be pulling you along and have no intention of getting you a visa.

[bosintang]

I've worked in Korea before. A few points

- Theres no such thing as a professional recruiter. They want you in your headcount, nothing more. You are pure $$ as far as they're concerned.


- If you work illegally, and thing go wrong, nobody is going to help you.

- Have you been to Korea before? Do you have teaching experience? If the answer to both of these questions is no, you can be really in over your head. Getting thrown in to a public school teaching classes of 40plus students, dealing with co-workers who may not even speak any English let alone have any idea about the things that will concern you as a foreigner like visas, ARC registration, etc.

A recent newspaper article in Korea had one of the BOEs complaining about the 'low quality' foreign English teachers they're getting in the public schools. In other words, its the blind leading the blind. They have absolutely no idea what they're doing and hiring people likewise.

[Sody]

Thanks a lot for the advice, I am in the process of trying to work out a later departure date.

I appreciate all the help, thanks

Sody

[shuize]

[AndyH]

Korea is one place where you really have to look out for youself, because you can't count on anybody else to care about you. You are making the right decision by doing things the legal way, as once you get there, if your visa isn't in order, it's just one more thing the hagwan owner can hold over you to exploit.

[ironopolis]

Hi Sody,

A few posts here which may be making you even more nervous, so thought I'd try and balance things out a little.

Two things - firstly, remember (a) the horror stories are only one side's version of events and (b) the Korean forum of this site is a bit of a "letting off steam place" to use the best euphemism I can think of. Plenty of truth on there, I'm sure, but you'll get at least as much misinformation as good advice, so take it all with a big pinch of salt.

Secondly, there are lots and lots of people with overwhelmingly positive experiences of their time in Korea (me included). Obviously, you don't hear or read so much of them as they won't feel the same letting off steam need and you don't need to look too far on the Korean forum to see how those people often get shouted down by the moaners.

Korea ISN'T the easiest country to get used to for a westerner, but if you're prepared to make a bit of an effort there's a fair chance you'll be at least ok. Most importantly, put some effort into building good personal relationships with the people you work with. I've spent a lot of time with Koreans, both in Korea and elsewhere, over the last 15 years or so and as far as it's possible to generalise, I'd say they warm to people quicker than some other nationalities I've come across (including my own!) if you're the making the effort; obviously, the opposite is also going to be true. Probably like lots of human beings all over the world really!

Oops, that was more than 2 things, wasn't it? Well, good luck, anyway.

[bosintang]

Ironopolis: Nobody here said he couldn't have a good time in Korea nor that he should go. I, too, had a positive experience in Korea, and have not ruled returning there again sometime.

However, the advice above is correct. Nobody is going to take care of you in Korea, no matter what empty promises they give you. You have to take care of yourself, and that means to stay legal in Korea and make sure you're getting paid properly, yaddayadayada, you practically have to be an expert in international law and financial accounting.

[ironopolis]

[bosintang]

[Bozo Yoroshiku]