Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bourbon]

So, I have taught once in Korea about two years ago and I enjoyed it a lot. I had to be away from my girlfriend of five years. This time I'm going back and she is going with. The question is: Seeing as how the apartment the company is giving me is just fine for us to live in; should they care that my girlfriend is going to live with me? She will be on a tourist visa for a while and then working with a western company over there. I'm not asking them for a bigger apt. and it is technically my space, I just haven't told them about my roommate. Anybody see any problems with that?

[Atavistic]

[makemischief]

I've never had a problem doing it- but I'd agree- it could vary from employer to employer.

I can't imagine most would really care enough to do anything about it unless it was a deeply religious cult-type school.

[bassexpander]

Just don't tell them.

Former school I was working at tried to hire a Canadian guy. He mentioned that his girlfriend would be living with him. This got back to the principal of the school, who told him it would set a bad example for the students, and that she couldn't live there. The guy blew a gasket and stormed out of their contract signing, swearing at them as he left. Since then, they have refused to hire a Canadian ever again. Obviously that's an unfair reaction, given that it was just one person from Canada, but it's a true story.

I got the job that he lost.

[bellum99]

Scary thing is that someone at the school will care that he is living with a girlfriend and they are not married. It only takes one lousy nasty backstabbing Korean teacher to make everything a problem. If you do then just never talk about it with a Korean. They will attempt to be your friend but eventually they will gossip about it to your boss. Trust me.

--Just do what you want and don't bother trying to explain anything. When they find out and then you can have an attitude and not bother to talk about it.
It is really not the school's business but the Koreans won't see it that way because they think they gave you a visa and own you.

[crazylemongirl]

Lie and say you are married if someone asks. If she's got her own visa (Btw I assume the western company is sponsoring her visa since working on a tourist visa is very illegal) then there's no need for the school to know you haven't got the paperwork done on your 'defacto' marriage. I've known plenty of couples who have done this.

You've worked in Korea before so you should know that Koreans don't like the idea of couples living together before marriage.

[Funky Chunk]

Be careful about the airport pick up. If someone from the school comes to pick you up from the airport, they're going to want to know why they're transporting you and someone else. You may need to tell them that you'll arrange your own transportation and will pick up the key to your place from the school. Seems like a big hassle though...

[MissSeoul]

[Atavistic]

How close is your apartment going to be to your school? I've known people who have LIVED ABOVE THEIR SCHOOLS and I think it'd be damn hard to hide someone there for a year.

The ONLY reason I feel comfortable having my boyfriend over 3 or 4 nights a week is because I'm a 40 min bus ride to school. If I lived within walking distance... no way.

[bourbon]

The apt. is within walking distance but it I will be teaching adults.

[hellofaniceguy]

[matthews_world]

Early a.m/late p.m. splits shifts might be a bit taxing.

[Ilsanman]

I agree with others. JUst don't tell your director.

It might be a bit of a dump. I hope for your sake your g/f isn't too choosy about where she lives.