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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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Alexander
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: Re: I got my EPIK contract yesterday |
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| suneater wrote: |
| yeremy wrote: |
6. After you arrive in Korea (they didn't specify the time frame), you have to get a HIV Test and Drug Addiction Test Report at a National or public hospital. You have to pay for this yourself ( self-financed). Cost: 50,000-100,000 KRW.
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hmmm...it'll be a little annoying if I am expected to provide a further medical at my expense having already shelled out around NZD100 to undergo the EPIK medical here in New Zealand.
However, the EPIK medical didn't require the drug test, which I am more than willing to undergo in Korea - although I think that EPIK should pony up the funds for it seeing that I could've included such a bloodwork test initially were it indicated in the EPIK document provided us. |
I'm told that this isn't the case (as regards the medical test, anyway). Rowan confirmed that those who have already completed a full medical in their home country will not be required to complete another one. As for the drug test, I didn't ask. I do, however, agree that it could easily have been included in the original blood work. |
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Atavistic
Joined: 22 May 2006
Location: How totally stupid that Korean doesn't show in this area.
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| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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| lookingforworkinasia wrote: |
^^Yeah, you're right Atavistic. I'm more concerned about who's going to take responsibility for the communication problems so far.
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This is Korea. Thus, your answer is "nobody." |
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juskajo
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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obscenities!
i never did get any word as to whether my transcripts ever made it to EPIK. i got the email about the aforementioned orientation details, so i guess that means they haven't dropped me, or maybe they just haven't gotten around to removing me from the mailing list. but as far as the transcripts, or whether or not i'll be getting a contract, i haven't gotten any answer beyond "we'll look into it."
i don't mind this last-minute business so much, but it'd be nice to know if i still have a job. |
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yeremy
Joined: 05 Nov 2007
Location: Anywhere's there's a good bookstore.
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| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject: Drug test for EPIK |
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'Alexander, I don't know if you've worked in Korea before, so no offense if you have, but this isn't New Zealand nor Seattle, WA which is my home base. I certainly hope that your medical in NZ included the tests for the drugs EPIK wants, but the Korean Education and Political bureacracy here has an annoying propensity to ask for the same information at different times of the year, but for different parts of the government. I'm convinced that the right arm of the Korean government does not talk to the left arm of the government.
If you talk to some of the other posters, they will tell you how those of us who have been working in the public school system during the last few years here in Korea have been asked for proof of graduation every year, even when you renew at the same school, and once I had to do it twice in the same year because of the diploma scams. This is just how it usually seems to go. |
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suneater
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:07 am Post subject: Re: Drug test for EPIK |
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| yeremy wrote: |
'Alexander, I don't know if you've worked in Korea before, so no offense if you have, but this isn't New Zealand nor Seattle, WA which is my home base. I certainly hope that your medical in NZ included the tests for the drugs EPIK wants, but the Korean Education and Political bureacracy here has an annoying propensity to ask for the same information at different times of the year, but for different parts of the government. I'm convinced that the right arm of the Korean government does not talk to the left arm of the government.
If you talk to some of the other posters, they will tell you how those of us who have been working in the public school system during the last few years here in Korea have been asked for proof of graduation every year, even when you renew at the same school, and once I had to do it twice in the same year because of the diploma scams. This is just how it usually seems to go. |
yeremy - I wholeheartedly agree with you that the red tape in Korea is overbearing. I remember the hassle of all us foreign teachers having to converge en masse, diplomas in hand on omokyo immigration because of those scams you mentioned in your post.
However, if the medical checksheet, duly completed by me and others such as alexander (an aussie - not a kiwi!!! although we get along admirably  ), is now deemed insufficient due to it not indicating a need for a cannabinoid test, then surely it would fall upon EPIK to cover the cost of the additional testing.
When all is said and done, it's only a small issue - I just hope that a little leniency is granted over this E2 transition phase. |
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EricaSmile84
Joined: 23 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:07 am Post subject: |
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Dang it took a long time for my account here to get activated! I've been aching to post in this thread!!
I applied and did an in-person interview with EPIK. I didn't get an immediate job offering because I was still in college (I graduated last decemeber). I had to wait till my diploma got printed so I could send it to them in January.
I've been talking with the Chicago counsulate office and they told me that the "final notices" aren't in from EPIK headquarters yet. But she assured me that they gave a "high reccomendation" for me.
I'm just sharing my experience so far. It's been making me so nervous! But I am glad that others are in the same boat. |
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Alexander
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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We have been informed that appointment packs (that's the contract and visa stuff) went out late yesterday, and to allow up to 7 days for delivery! That should leave us about a week and a half in which to have visas processed and returned.
If they don't get back to us in time, I wonder whether EPIK will cover the cost of flight changes?!?!  |
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suneater
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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I should have my contract turn up here in New Zealand tomorrow, via hong kong and singapore...it's in Auckland now (checked using the DHL tracking number that my recruiter emailed me) and should get to my little beachside township tomorrow...
...then it's a six-hour drive to the nearest consulate...this orientation had better be loads of fun!!! |
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juskajo
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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are any of you guys with tenetkorea? i cannot get a response from jenny or jean regarding my transcript, which at this point i'm 95% sure must have spontaneously combusted on its way to seoul from my university.
i know you all have your own problems right now, but i still have to vent this: i got my medical exam at my dr's office a few weeks ago, which was covered by my insurance. they drew blood, and sent it to their labs, and filled my report. yay. as luck would have it, my dr's office forgot to renew their 2008 insurance contracts with the lab where they send their blood work. meaning those blood tests aren't covered by my insurance. so i just got a lovely $400 bill in the mail from that lab. |
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lookingforworkinasia
Joined: 14 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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My recruiter told me that EPIK never received my transcript either. I've confirmed with Fedex that it was delivered to the right address, two weeks ago, and signed for by someone who works with EPIK (who I've spoken with via e-mail before). I e-mailed back about this, but haven't heard from my recruiter since then.
My recruiter may have been thinking of my letters of recommendation. I haven't sent them in yet because I was told its not a deal breaker, but apparently it is. EPIK e-mailed me and told me they won't be sending my notice of appointment until they receive them. I guess I should have spent more time worrying about those, less about the police check.
Double check your info with either your recruiter, or EPIK directly. There's a lot of confusion and mix ups. |
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suneater
Joined: 04 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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| juskajo wrote: |
...so i just got a lovely $400 bill in the mail from that lab.
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OUCH!...where in the world do you have to live for the medical to cost that much!!!?
BTW - I'm not with tenetkorea so can't help there, I'm afraid. |
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juskajo
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Location: Daejeon
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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| suneater wrote: |
OUCH!...where in the world do you have to live for the medical to cost that much!!!?
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why, that would be the good ol' u.s. of a.
actually, it wasn't exactly a bill i received, but an invoice from my insurance stating that their contract with that blood lab had just expired (literally days before my physical), so they don't have to pay for it. it basically said i should expect a real bill from that lab.
it was the fault of the dr's office for sending the blood work off to a lab that they forgot to renew with. they screw up, and juskajo winds up with the bill. from what i can tell, they have no legal obligation to pay it either. the fact that they screwed up actually gets them OFF the hook.
and that's how our kewl health care system works!!  |
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Rae
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Alexander wrote: |
We have been informed that appointment packs (that's the contract and visa stuff) went out late yesterday, and to allow up to 7 days for delivery! That should leave us about a week and a half in which to have visas processed and returned.
If they don't get back to us in time, I wonder whether EPIK will cover the cost of flight changes?!?! |
Damn that's cutting it close. Aren't we supposed to give our flight details to the Korean Consulate and EPIK by Feb 11th? |
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Alexander
Joined: 08 Oct 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:02 am Post subject: |
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| Rae wrote: |
| Damn that's cutting it close. Aren't we supposed to give our flight details to the Korean Consulate and EPIK by Feb 11th? |
Flights have already been approved. I have taken the punt and paid for mine. 
If the Korean embassy play's nice, we'll be fine. If they don't, EPIK won't have any teachers showing up to orientation. |
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Rae
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Alexander wrote: |
| Rae wrote: |
| Damn that's cutting it close. Aren't we supposed to give our flight details to the Korean Consulate and EPIK by Feb 11th? |
Flights have already been approved. I have taken the punt and paid for mine.
If the Korean embassy play's nice, we'll be fine. If they don't, EPIK won't have any teachers showing up to orientation. |
I really don't want to buy tickets until after I get my Visa. But I'm not sure if it can be helped though.
I'm looking forward to meet you all in orientation! Please keep us posted about the contracts and Visa. |
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