Korean Job Discussion Forums

[beast]

Everyone has to just take a deep breath and relax a little. For months now we've all been creating this paranoia of what may happen based on conflicting reports, speculation, and gossip. I have no doubt that the OP is 100% correct in everything he wrote, but keep in mind that nothing is set in stone in Korea. Things change, rules are overlooked, rules are bent, rules are interpreted in a variety of different ways. Just look at the threads for example about obtaining an international debit card or a credit card. For years and years we've been reading about that. Some banks say it's against the law, some banks say it's against company policy, and yet some banks give you the card no problem at all. It's the same with immigration. So all I'm saying is don't panic yet. Wait until your hogwan feels the crunch of teachers not being able to get visas and then the rules that are being mentioned now will slowly bend, be overlooked, be dismissed, etc. and everything will be back to normal.

[whatever]

[some waygug-in]

Wow! Sparkling. It's getting way too bright for my eyes.

I've never really been happy here anyway, it's just that the thought of starting from scratch somewhere else is pretty daunting.

I'll still wait and see though. They are having a meeting on Monday regarding new contracts and things for next year. If I can avoid this crap for 1 more year, hopefully I will have enough in the bank by then to feel secure about it all.

I kinda have a feeling that even if people renew before the deadline, their schools will be hassling them to get this stuff done regardless. How many times did they have to review my documents already.

[Milwaukiedave]

[SirFink]

[Netz]

[browneyedgirl]

Even though they changed all the rules, I still want to go to Korea. I just hope I can complete everything. I don't know if the new rules will be a benefit or hindrance, only time will tell.

[Lilo's Mum]

~Ha Ha, I meant to vote "YES!"

I think that like so many other new regulations that Korea tries to impose, this will eventually fail. The people that are here now just need to ride out the storm and if in fact, it doesn't change in the near future, teach else where. Korea is not the end all and be all. It's not even the highest paying. My husband and I were planning to finish out the year and move to a new country anyway. As our misfortunes would have it, our school is closing. We are able to transfer our visa as we are in that "grace" period, however we aren't sure we want to. This is all very disheartening. The truth is, we are all getting worked up about a country that doesn't really care about English advancement. They don't care about the foreigners who are here to teach. I'm sure I'll get many replies from people who think they are actually making a difference in the grand scheme of things but we really aren't. We are here for the money and they hire us for the money, that's it. We've been here almost 2 years and this was but one stop in our adventure. We have a baby girl that was actually born here and we certainly don't want to raise her here and learning the useless language. Don't get offended people it's true. We've met some nice people here but that's all I can really say about Korea....there are some nice people.
Look, all I'm trying to say is that unless you have no other choice but to teach English HERE, there's no reason to get all worked up. There's a whole world out there!
Anyway, I don't usually post out here due to my outspoken nature and the level of personal attacks I see in these forums. I thought I'd give it a try but will not give in to debating as it is futile to argue this anyway.
Time to go watch 'The Wiggles' with my daughter..... Merry Christmas everyone!~

[chaz47]

So... my current contract expires Feb. 28th as does my visa. I've been offered a university job next semester and no one in their office has replied to any email I send regarding the visa changes (they reply to other subjects though... odd).

If I am expected to do all of this nonsense then I will leave. I currently work for EPIK and have done all of the paperwork they required. I've submitted criminal background checks and medical checks already. I thought it was a good idea then, I think it's a good idea now, I don't think it's a good idea that I should have to do them again and again and again.

It's simple math the cost of flying home and potentially waiting is just NOT cost-effective. I'll take my savings and spend a year in Thailand working for peanuts on the beach waiting for this bullshite to blow over.

If it doesn't then oh f*cking well. I find this culture interesting but the restrictions they put on foreigners are racist and retarded. Why are the rules regarding the F-5 permanent residency visa so labyrinthine? Another poster mentioned that if you marry a Korean gain the F-2, have a kid, then divorce your visa is revoked and you will have a very difficult time seeing your offspring. The whole system is set up to keep us out of their culture.

Maybe I'll go to Japan where I can actually apply for permanent residency some day. Where learning the language will actually be worth something. Where they still use Chinese characters that are relevant to the modern world. Where my only purpose in the culture isn't just an English provider.

The people of Korea are miserable. They have only themselves to blame yet they are always seeking scapegoats. Because we are the "other", we are the most convenient scapegoats. Many believe that it's OK to lie to foreigners and overcharge them. Many think it's OK to insult and say derogatory things about foreigners in their presence just because they assume they we don't understand any Korean.

All of this negativity sucks balls. It brings us down. How many long termers do you know here? Listen to them speak sometime, I can all but guarantee no matter how happy they claim to be they will not be able to talk for 5 minutes (probably less) without b*tching about Korea.

I have been a closet apologist in the past but I'm tired of making excuses for this country.

[Lilo's Mum]

*clap clap clap* (chaz47 )

What he said.

[fruitcake]

[hogwonguy1979]

[blaseblasphemener]

[sera]

[Atavistic]