Job Discussion Forums

haopengyou · Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 197

Is the physical pretty much the same in all countries? What are they looking for? besides STD's? Is it actually something useful?

Laurence · Joined: 26 Apr 2005 Posts: 401

I remember reading a newspaper story about a Welsh line engineer who wanted to emigrate to NZ. Immigration rejected his wife's visa application on the grounds of her being very overweight. Even though this guy was a skilled worker the authorities claimed that he and his wife would potentially be a burden on the system due to healthcare requirements.

So maybe there are overlaps. But I think it's probably more short sighted than that for ESL teachers, mainly to check for STDs and contagious stuff, and making sure people are in good enough health to see out their contracts.

In China, I think it varies from one province to another, and probably even within provinces. They check your blood, x ray your chest and test your sight, check your heart rate (I love those graphs of my heartbeat) and measure you and weigh you. Some people say they check your blood for controlled substances, some say they don't. It's a debated issue over on the China forums.

In Indonesia, they just record height and weight, and take fingerprints, if I remember correctly.

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

Tuberculosis, possibly.

Chancellor · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject:

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject:

Woody Guthrie had a great song along the sames lines! Thanks for sharing.

For most of Latin America, if a physical is required, it's a joke.

HIV will probably get tested, though.

Best,
justin

PS- OP; is there anything in particular you're wondering about being checked, or discriminated against, for? SInce it's anonymous here, feel free to share and get more info!

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

In China, they also check to make sure that you have all your internal organs. They do a scan similar to what they do on pregnant women.

haopengyou · Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 197

Thanks! Yes, I am familiar with the Chinese physical - was more curious about Korea, Japan and the middle east. As far as I know, I am "clean" in all senses of the word but was thinking that, since it is time for a check-up, that I might want to make it a little more extensive than normal and check what "they" might check.

sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

Usually HIV, HEP ABC and Tuberculosis. They can also check urine and blood pressure as well as bood for Diabetes.