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Coming to Korea early?
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boatofcar



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Location: Sheffield, UK

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:01 pm    Post subject: Coming to Korea early? Reply with quote

So here's the deal. I've got a job lined up in Ulsan starting August 27th. My current lease in the US is up July 30th. I will have enough money to get by in Korea until my first paycheck. What are the chances my employer (public school) will let me move in to my apt. a month early? If not, anybody have any suggestions on what I could do?
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ovid



Joined: 30 May 2007

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Honestly...

I'd try to enjoy what you can in your hometown before coming to Korea. Just live frugally and so forth before you head over here and save that money you would've spent in Korea living with friends.
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boatofcar



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Location: Sheffield, UK

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Unfortunately, I don't live at home, or anywhere close to my hometown. Living with my parents isn't an option. I could stay in a hotel, but it would get expensive, I'm sure.
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ovid



Joined: 30 May 2007

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ahh...that's too bad.

I know one of the best things about working around the world was having a hometown I could crash in..especially with friends.

I'd think it would be possible for them to fly you over...if cash is a concern, you could always ask them to fly you over early and find some friends to crash with before you start...your tourist visa is 30 days anyhow (if you're an American)...so that could work.
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Wondering



Joined: 23 May 2007
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ask. I'm getting my housing a month early. I'm going with a public school. Just be willing to pay one month's rent and chances are they'll agree. I've even gotten housing one month early with a hagwon.

It probably also wouldn't hurt to mention that you really want a chance to tour and see Korea and all that before starting your job. Who wouldn't like someone who has an interest in their country?
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:21 pm    Post subject: Re: Coming to Korea early? Reply with quote

boatofcar wrote:
So here's the deal. I've got a job lined up in Ulsan starting August 27th. My current lease in the US is up July 30th. I will have enough money to get by in Korea until my first paycheck. What are the chances my employer (public school) will let me move in to my apt. a month early? If not, anybody have any suggestions on what I could do?


There are a couple potential obstacles with what you are hoping for.

Your visa is good for 1 year from your date of entry into Korea which means - If you enter Korea a month early your visa will expire a month before your contract ends and that would require you go to through the process of getting an extension to your visa. This is not a big problem but it is at best inconvenient.

Your future apartment probably has someone living in it now. Assuming you are replacing a departing teacher the apartment you will be moving into probably won't be vacant until the day or so before your contract start date.

Just some thoughts to think about.
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airmax95



Joined: 02 Jun 2007

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:27 pm    Post subject: Re: Coming to Korea early? Reply with quote

boatofcar wrote:
So here's the deal. I've got a job lined up in Ulsan starting August 27th. My current lease in the US is up July 30th. I will have enough money to get by in Korea until my first paycheck. What are the chances my employer (public school) will let me move in to my apt. a month early? If not, anybody have any suggestions on what I could do?


The best thing for you to do is contact the school directly. Instead of asking people here what they think the school might let you do, ask them. Who knows? Maybe they'd love to have you come in early to get adjusted and prepare. As many times you hear horror stories of hagwons taking people off the plane and sticking them into a classroom within the same day, it's unlikely that any reasonable employer would find this to be an ideal situation, especially if the employee is new to the country. Even if the apt. you are to move into in August is occupied, there might be another unit available for you. Ultimately, it's something that has to be worked out with your school and not the users of this forum.
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boatofcar



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Location: Sheffield, UK

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sweet. If you don't mind me asking, how much (or what should I expect) to pay for rent?
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kat2



Joined: 25 Oct 2005
Location: Busan, South Korea

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 4:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shoot. spend a month in Thailand or phillipines or vietnam touring around and laying on the beach. cheap, beautiful.
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boatofcar



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Location: Sheffield, UK

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 4:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wish I were that brave...this is my first time going overseas, and I'm too scared to travel anywhere else beforehand Embarassed
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kimchi story



Joined: 23 Nov 2006

PostPosted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Lonely Planet Seoul edition has some good info on officetel type places you can rent on a month to month basis. They list approximate prices.
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Wondering



Joined: 23 May 2007
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 12:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

boatofcar wrote:
Sweet. If you don't mind me asking, how much (or what should I expect) to pay for rent?


Completely depends on factors like size and location.
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Tokki1



Joined: 14 May 2007
Location: The gap between the Korean superiority and inferiority complex

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 1:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can stay with me but you'll have to clean. Laughing

Seriously get a yogwan. I've lived in them for months and months. You can even befriend ajummahs and have them clean your clothes. It's a real trip living in a yogwan. Do it.
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boatofcar



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Location: Sheffield, UK

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like the yeogwans I've found run about 35000W a night. Is that pretty standard?
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boatofcar



Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Location: Sheffield, UK

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

kimchi story wrote:
The Lonely Planet Seoul edition has some good info on officetel type places you can rent on a month to month basis. They list approximate prices.


Great, I'll check that out. I talked to my recruiter and he basically said that as long as I was here under a month before my E2 visa starts, then my traveler's visa would cover me. So now it looks like my travel plans will be find somewhere in Seoul to stay for a few weeks--EPIK orientation in Seoul--Ulsan.
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