Korean Job Discussion Forums

sconner · Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Location: South Carolina

So, I finish my contract in eight weeks. This is my second job in a hagwon and I can now say I will never work in a hagwon again. I have a PS job lined up, but now that doesn't look like it will happen. Let me start off by saying this has been a year from hell. I can't say it's worse or better than my first hagwon, it's just different. If you have experienced this, please share. What happens is they do al these sleazy things, and then say it's culture differences. But everytime you're the one who comes up short. And then once you get to the point where you just want to quit, they do something nice, Then you think, "Oh, I can make it until the end of my contract", and when you really think about it, the nice thing they did is something they should have done anyway, as in humanizing the situation. I'm sorry for the rant. I need to get them to sign a letter of release for my new visa so I don't have to go home. I'm limited on time becasue of school and need to start July 1. They just wopn't sign it, which doesn't even make any sense because then they will have to pay for my airfare. My boss has noted everything I've done wrong this year, like everytime I was late for work, and she gave me a written warning for hygiene the month I didn't have hot water and stopped showering until they fixed it. It's been a long bumpy road that has left me depressed in a way I can't even say. What can I do to make them sign it? I just want to move on and leave this bad experience behind me. If anyone has any advice I could really use it right about now. I can't help but feel they're doing this out of spite, and I wonder why. I came over here, have worked for them for almost a year, and have gone by the book, or the contract when they have not and have made some really unreasonable demands. You would think the apostilling and documents I need from the U.S. would be more of a problem than this one piece of paper.

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Stormy · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Location: Here & there

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Why can you be bothered working here then? Just go back to the US and get a job there. Do you think teaching ESL is a good career? Rolling Eyes

mountainous · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Location: Los Angeles

I can't help but feel they're doing this out of spite, and I wonder why.

ECC Kumho acted in a similar manner, out of pure spite.

I can relate to your experience, though I am going to encourage you to be more optimistic.

I just want to move on and leave this bad experience behind me.

Do it. Start by taking some actions like looking for a new job, perhaps in a different country. If you want to stay in Korea, speak to someone at the public school about your situation and speak to immigration. You might not get what you want, you may just get what you need....keep your head up, there is something better for you around the corner. Good Luck.

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

You're going to a public school right? Get SMOE, EPIK or GEPIK(they have bigger balls than your average teacher) to call your hagwon and demand the LOR.

Do you really need the LOR?
A public school can wait a couple of days.

Kashmir · Joined: 17 Apr 2008

deleted.

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

That's a difficult situation but maybe going home or somewhere to recharge after the contract is finished would be good.

Is there a way to get all the documents you need without going home, and just do a visa run to Japan and bypass needing a LOR?

Are they confusing a letter of recommendation with a letter of release? It sounds like they were listing things they didn't like about you because they didn't want to give you a reference. It might help to explain that the letter of release is just a document saying that you no longer work there, not that you were a good employee.

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

Well, I can sympathize. My experience has been that there is a lot of psychological abuse and manipulation in Korean Hakwon management.

But, I will say this. You are going to have to be stronger. You are going to have to find a way to get that LOR so you don't have to go through getting a new visa.

Some options are:

1) Talk to the PS
2) Talk to Immigration
3) Negotiate with your boss
4) Stop teaching until you get it
5) Give up on the LOR and just get a new visa - It can't be any worse than dealing with a slimy boss and chalk it up as a learning experience.

Good Luck!

diablo3 · Joined: 11 Sep 2004

If you are finishing in 8 weeks and starting in July, then you don't need a LOR because you would have completed your contract by then.

Lekker · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Location: Seoul

Dome Vans · Guest

sconner · Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Location: South Carolina

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

You are exactly right. If you get a letter of release, you don't need to leave the country to get your new VISA. I have done this between all my jobs. So, I have never had to go anywhere but Mokdong for my VISA, except for my original VISA.

poet13 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject:

"she gave me a written warning for hygiene the month I didn't have hot water and stopped showering until they fixed it. "

I remembering giving someone that exact advice almost a year ago. Was it you sconner?