Job Discussion Forums

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/visas_kr.html#WorkingHolidayVisas

mgs2, according to this website you can get a working holiday visa for 12 months to go to Korea if you have an Australian passport. You have not mentioned what passport you hold so I have no idea what kind of visa you might be eligible for!

mgs2 · Joined: 07 Dec 2008 Posts: 58

Yes I am an Australian citizen and passport holder. You referred to a 90 day visa, 90 days would be the maximum I would want to stay in Korea, I wouldn't want to stay any longer than that amount anyway.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject:

More than what country you come from, it also depends on what country you're going to.

Rules are different in virtually every case. THere are plenty of places you can get a work visa without a degree- the OP mentions Australia as one of them. I have no reason to doubt that, but of course if you're already Australian, it seems to be information of limited value.

Many countries, particularly those with a very developed service industry needing a lot of low level workers, will offer a variety of visas suited to people who might work in bars, sweep floors, wait tables, wash dishes and whatnot.

Moreso than the visa concern, though, is finding a job for such a short period. For someone to hire you, they have to need you enough to justify the inconveniences that hiring you involves. Since they could as easily get someone with your profile for a year, why go through the inconvenience of hiring you for six weeks? Unless someone happens to have a six week only job...but they aren't that common.

I did an 8 week stint in Korea last autumn. They DO exist- some even pay pretty well. But...the question that comes up is, why hire you?

I don't mean to be negative, and I do hope you find something. But I question how realistic such short term newbie options are- maybe volunteering?

Best,
Justin

mgs2 · Joined: 07 Dec 2008 Posts: 58

Thanks for the replies guys. Let me address these issues.

1. For the visa, Australian citizens (such as myself) can get a 12 month working visa for Korea without needing a degree: http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/whv_kr.html

2. In regards to finding short term work, I think this could be a real problem. I think what my approach should be, is to say that I'm taking a GAP year from university and can committ for up to a year. Then after a period of time, what adaquate notice, politely say my circumstances have changed and that I'm unable to continue the contract. I know this is a lie and is devious, but I believe if you give the company enough notice, and provide assistance to your successor and students, that it can be arranged without to many problems. What are others thoughts?

3. In regards to not having a degree, I think what I may have to get is part time work. I've spoken to some people who worked in Japan part time when they didn't have a degree. They said they could find part time work without a degree, but wouldn't be able to find full time work without a degree. So I think this is an important distinction. Beyond this, is it possible to find much private tuition in South Korea, maybe that wouldn't require a degree?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

mgs2 · Joined: 07 Dec 2008 Posts: 58

The person who worked part time as an English teacher in Tokyo without a degree was a Japanese born citizen, and so not a native speaker, so visa's were not an issue for her. But I can get a 12 month working visa in Korea without a degree, so that is also not an issue for me.

But the impression I get is part time work is much easier to get than full time work in Korea, would others agree?

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

is it possible to find much private tuition in South Korea, maybe that wouldn't require a degree?

It ususally takes some time to build up a base of private students. You are talking about staying very short-term - I doubt this would be a viable option.

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

mgs2 · Joined: 07 Dec 2008 Posts: 58

santi84 raises a good question. My purposes of going to Korea is not to make money, or for a reference. I want to go to experience a new city and because I enjoy teaching and would like to experience teaching in a new country.

I raise the point of private tuition, because I currently teach Korean students and could communicate with them if any of their friends in Korea would be interested in private tuition with myself. I haven't asked them yet, but I think some of there friends would definately be interested.

This is a reason that I'm interested in Korea. Because I teach Korean students I'll have the ability to use their knowledge and experience to help setup for Korea.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

some of there friends would definately be interested.

?
I agree that you're likely to get more/better info on the Korea forum.
For what it's worth, I, too, have friends who worked in Korea and say teaching privately is illegal in most cases...