Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stevieg4ever]

Under the EPIK contract we are only allowed to leave for two sepearte 7 day periods throughout the year; one in the summer and one in the winter (sucks, I know).

Anyways I understand that there is a semi-long holiday in February and instead of sitting around doing nothing I thought it might be a good idea to go and travel around somewhere (ie out of Korea). Technically it is against the contract because, for example, if you dable in drugs whilst in Thailand it is technically the Korean government that is responsible. Anyways thats the c&%p they told us but I dont really care for their reasons.

But I dont want the local education office to find out but worried they might contact me during the vacation period. I dont really want my coteacher to know either. Are there any ways around these issues? Should I just say I went to Seoul and lost my phone charger or something equivalent??

Anyone else had any experience of this or have any advice?

[Octavius Hite]

You can leave the country whenever you like. Despite EPIK's insistance, their rules don't supersede international law. That said to avoid the fight just lie. Say you are going to Busan or Jeju and leave it at that. I never tell my school when I leave or where I am going. If I get killed in Thailand it won't matter anyway. If they call while you are away just say you don't answer unknown phone numbers or take calls from work on holidays.

Have fun.

[cruisemonkey]

I'll be out of the country for 16 days in Jan./Feb. and everyone (co-teachers, principal, VP) knows it.

I've never heard/seen tis EPIC 'rule'... and don't care... just try and stop me!

[Michelle]

[bish]

When is the spring vacation?

[stevieg4ever]

well its in February right at the end of the month. I have just been told by another Korean teacher in the province that the office of education can easily check whether you are in the country or not and even Koreans are to notify their province if they are going abroad. Not sure if that is true or if it should even make a difference.

[soju pizza]

MODS! Make this a sticky!

[angelgirl]

In 2007 my university made all of us go to the Dong office with our passports, they contacted Immigration , and gave us a piece of paper showing all of our comings and goings. We had to give this to Academic Affairs.

[CentralCali]

I saw my principal three days ago and he asked me why I don't take the whole school vacation in the US!

And, yes, it's true that Korean public servants are required to submit a request form (routinely chopped as approved) for periods they intend to be out of the country. The school administration office has a whole stack of them and the secretary will happily assist you in completing the thing. I enjoy watching the mass form-filling at the end of each semester because the Korean teachers invariably forget to include their duty day as a day they will be in-country!

[R. S. Refugee]