Job Discussion Forums

[timmothias]

Hello all,
I am wondering if teachers such as myself with bipolar disorder have any chance of finding work teaching English abroad. I spoke with a Korean teaching recruiter and they told me flat out that the Korean government won't allow anyone taking psychiatric medicine to get a visa. Do all or almost all other nations take this stance as well? Are there any options for me to find an interesting job teaching in another country?

Thanks

[Justin Trullinger]

HI there-

Korea is the only place I know of that does have any such practice in place.

It's still a practice, rather than a policy. Try other recruiters, you may get a different answer.

Most other places I've worked would not have thought it was their business. They won't ask, or check. (Spent time in Europe and Latin America)

You should know, though- most places won't offer health insurance that would cover medication for a pre-existing condition, so check out both costs and availability of your medication before you go.

I've worked with bi-polar teachers on more than one continent. No reason it can't be done; be ready for the stresses, though. Even without your disorder, most people suffer mood swings, withdrawal, and other emotional issues sometimes when adapting to a new culture. Your condition might make it worse for you. Make sure you have whatever you need to deal with it.

Best,
Justin

[astralfrog]

timmothias,

You don't have to tell anyone about someone else's opinion of you. As I'm sure you know, there are no blood tests or chemical tests that can detect "mood" or "behavior" disorders. Heck, they used to say being gay or not submitting to authority was a "disease." Obviously, I see that you would like to continue to medicate yourself. I would like to recommend two documentaries regarding this issue: 'Generation RX' & 'Psychiatry: An Industry of Death' really cut to the heart of the issue: these drugs are designed purely to make a profit and are not based on science.

Best of luck to you,
AF

[Justin Trullinger]

Whatever- The truth is often somewhere in between.

Some "mood" and "behavioural" disorders are in fact chemical imbalances and detectable by scientific methods. Many are not. Even those that have scientifically testable signs are often "diagnosed" without the formality of any scientific test.

But the OP asked about working overseas as a diagnosed, medicated sufferer of bipolar disorder. As long as he plans to continue on his medication, he'll need to know about overseas issues (drug screening, prejudices against the mentally ill, related visa issues) that relate to that.

Overseas life and depression often feed off each other, especially at first, as well. (Even in folks with no history of depression.) Also good to be aware of.

When it comes to issues like coming off of a prescribed medication...I'd seek medical advice from someone qualified, who you trust. I wouldn't really take EFL advice on a medical forum, you know?

Seems equally silly to dispense medical advice here.


BEst,
Justin

[astralfrog]

[jimi1999uk]

I've recently gave authorisation for an outside body to get access to my medical history in the form of a questionaire filled in by my doctor. When I was reading the blurb and smallprint that came along with it and I read that you can actually see the results before the dr sends them off and POSSIBLY query some of the entries and get them changed depending on various things.

I don't know if this will help you tbh. I think you will be very unlikely to get anything changed but you never know. You should explain the situation to your dr and take into account your recent health, goals, access to medication abroad and so on and see what he says.

Again don't get your hopes up too much but it's worth a try imo.

[timmothias]

Thanks for the advice. I am glad to know that there are others who have done this before and that Korea is the only place with such a policy. I was concerned when I saw their "health check" before getting a visa and out of the 3 questions, one was concerning mental disorders. But it is good to hear that it may still be possible to find work elsewhere.

[naturegirl321]

[denise]

The health checks that I have undergone over the years in various countries generally look first for HIV, then for other blood-borne illnesses, and sometimes they get more thorough--I had an x-ray and a few other tests here. I have never had any sort of mental/emotional screening.

And, just to keep people from mis-judging you, I wouldn't even tell them. (Unless there is a specific interview question, but I seriously doubt there would be.)

One thing to keep in mind is access to medication wherever you end up going. Will you be able to bring in your own supply legally if you can't buy it in the country?

d