Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ra-ting]

Hey people, would anyone be kind enough to impart some advice?

I have accepted a contract and am about to go next week to Seoul, however the school wants me to pay for the flight out there with a promised reimbursement upon arrival.

How smooth is the reimbursement usually? Is it a drag to get it back, because the flights are $$$ and its money i need tbh. I understand most schools pay for the flights so Im a bit wary about paying it myself.

I am considering negotiating with them on this issue but not sure how approachable they will be, an option is to give them an ultimatum once the visa process has been complete and just basically tell them i cant afford to buy flights myself.

Any ideas or advice from previous experiences anybody?

Please help an anxious newbie

[SuperFly]

I wouldn't do that. Too many rip-off artists in Korea.

[boyne11]

[passport220]

It just depends on the school. If it is a public school it smooth indeed. You may need to open a bank account so the school can have a place to deposit the money and this may take a few days - but if you are insistent I think this can even be worked around to get the reimbursement in cash.

If it is not a public school, I would just tell them upfront - that is one nice thing about Korean culture, people are very direct. No one will be offended or think less of you if you just tell them up front. It does not mean that they will agree to it but you can get the issue resolved easily one way or the other by just asking the school.

[ttompatz]

[ra-ting]

Yes unfortunately it is a Hagwon, and judging from your replies i should press for pre-paid flights.

I can understand why some schools want to protect themselves via reimbursement though, you do hear cases of ppl just getting the free flights to Korea and then skipping to Japan. But ultimately I dont want to worry about getting my money back in Korea, i'd rather just enjoy the first few weeks there.

They should have the faith to just pay for the damn tickets, i'll tell them to keep my diploma and documents for insurance anyway.

[seoulsucker]

Diploma and documents for collateral? BAD, BAD, BAD idea. There should be no need for this. If you're content to start off at a hagwon (which most 1st year teachers are, did it myself) you should just keep pounding away until you find one that won't put you in this kind of situation.

[rhinocharge64]

look for another job. why take the risk?

[CentralCali]

[mj roach]

Just tell them you don't have the money for the flight...period.

Don't .....

1) pay for the flight - they will dump you in a 'heartbeat' if there is

something/anything they don't like about you and you'll be on the streets.

2) 'ransom' your documents... insist they be returned to you on arrival.

Bring embassy 'certified' copies of your diploma and extra 'sealed'

transcripts with you.

3) surrender your passport to them on arrival.

Welcome to the hakwan trenches....

cover you butt and be prepared to take

care of yourself if/when things go wrong.

[ra-ting]

Thanks MJ, thats some good advice. I guess you gotta be tough to prevent getting screwed.

CentralCali- my documents are currently being processed at immigration in Seoul. Also, my shifts are 2 to 9pm so there there should be time to 'enjoy myself' in the night. I just dont want money issues hanging over me.

The reason why i dont want to just look for another position is its the ideal job and its taken me ages to find it. Location was always the most important factor, and its positioning in Hongdae is just too good to miss out on.

I'll go with your shout anyway dudes, i'll say i havent got the money (which i dont anyway, not without getting in debt) and hopefully they'll be sympathetic to my plight.

I'll be seeing ya all in the trenches soon enough