Job Discussion Forums

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

A lot of teachers think they can get by with travel insurance. The problem is, in many (most?) cases, you still have to pay the full bill up front, and then wait 1-2 months to get reimbursed.

So, newbies really need to determine whether their employer or the government offers a better insurance plan. It may actually be illegal to not have government-provided insurance!

EDIT:
And then there are those who discover they may need heart surgery shortly after they arrive:
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=91361
...but have no insurance at all.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Really, really depends.

Is housing taken care of? Flights? How long do you have to wait to be paid?

I've lived in Korea twice, the first time I had a decent paying job, but an apt, so start up costs were super low. The second time I had a great job, but no apt, so start up costs were higher.

I'd always have extra money just in case, or a credit card.

I had to foot the bill for our apt and my husband's flight over here. BUt you plan, organise, budget and things work out. Usually.