Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chloe11]

As far as I know, what I'm experiencing isn't really all that out of the ordinary. Korean Immigration and the Korean Consulate are both working within the time-line that I was expecting. But, it's frustrating to wait while having the recruiter and the school on your back as to when you're leaving. So here I am, whining. *whimper*

I was originally due to leave for Busan on September 26th. The teacher whom I'm replacing was due to leave on October 1st. The school received my documents two weeks before I was finally issued a VISA number by Korean immigration, on September 28th. The school was going to send me on a VISA run but decided at the last minute to just have me go to Toronto and have it done. They were aware when they made this decision that not only does the Toronto consulate take about 5 business days, but that Wednesday was a Korean holiday and this Monday is a Canadian holiday. So 5 business days becomes 1.5 weeks. Hence, my passport will probably be stamped and good to go by this Wednesday. In the meantime, I have the recruiter asking me every single day when this is going to be ready, because the school wants me there this weekend. My thought is that if they school wanted me there this weekend so badly, that they should have realized that 5 business days doesn't make 3, and ate the expenses of a VISA run.

Furthermore, I quit my job two weeks ago in anticipation of leaving, so I haven't had much else to do aside from pack, unpack, pack again, say goodbye, and say goodbye again. It's become a running joke amongst my friends that I'm not actually leaving and was just looking for free drinks and attention the past two weeks

I'm stressed! I want to leave!

Sigh.

The end

[MarionG]

Take a deep breath, decide to unwind, and use the remaining days you have in your country as a "mental vacation." Your first weeks here will be a bit stressful, so the mental vacation will have been useful!

[jlb]

Welcome to Korea. They have a different way of doing things. All last minute, all fast, fast, fast. Not necessarily better or worse, although it does seem crazy to our North American minds.

Don't stress. Your school will just deal with it.

[Chloe11]

Thank you, both of you.

I'm willing to accept that things are done a little differently in Korea or I would never have agreed to go in the first place. It's just stressful to be in limbo, is all. But yes... I will try to enjoy it as much as I can

[blondieLass]

I arrived here a week ago and I completely understand what you are going through. As people say things seem to happen last minute, but I hated the wait!

I too asked if it would be better to do a visa run as they seemed to want me here quickly but they said no. They wanted me to leave on the 27th of September - which would be perfect, giving me the weekend to settle. However they only gave me the visa number 6 days before. I sent it to London and then begged the people to have it ready for the 27th. I then booked a train for the Wednesday night down to London so I'd be there to fly.

I then found out from the recruiter that as it was Chuseok (sp?) they couldn't book flights until the Thursday! But that it might still be the Thursday. So I had to head to London knowing I might have to put myself up in a hotel for a few days. Luckily I found out on the Thursday I would fly that night.

Hang in there! Before you know it you will be here and hopefully the wait will be worth it.

[cdninkorea]

The problem is that your new school might be upset at you for not coming when they wanted you to.

At least this has been my experience- something bad happens as a result of what my boss tells me to do, and any argument I offer about why it's not my fault falls on deaf ears.

[crazy tigger]

Blondie lass, how long did they take iwth your visa in the end? I'm started to get worried mine won't be ready for my flight with the holiday, postal strikes and etc