Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cruisemonkey]

[polonius]

[bettyspaghetti]

Well that makes me feel a little better!

[bettyspaghetti]

I talked to the Travel agent today and I asked if they tried to pay and it didn't work- he said No they just emailed him that their card wasn't working and to call me to get the payment...

Still no word from the recruiter... But having that email address is a relief.

[cruisemonkey]

[polonius]

Cruisemonkey, like I said, perhaps it wasn't true for you, but it was for me. I suppose it's just like Kimmi giving 5 different answers to the same question. Many different travel agencies will have their own protocols.

[cruisemonkey]

[polonius]

Hana for my credit card, Shinhan for my banking purposes. I wanted the Outback card cause I get 20% off every time, and once a year I get 30% off. I don't even think I got as far as telling the travel agency my credit card number. As soon as I asked if I could use a Korean credit card, the said no. Maybe they were just being lazy, but using my Canadian credit card, I still had to fax front and back of my card to them. The travel agency was from a small town in Eastern Canada. So maybe that has something to do with it.

[elliemk]

OP, you cannot use your E-2 visa for any school except the one that hired you, unless they give you a letter of release and you can transfer the visa that way. And there's no way they'll do that when you haven't even worked for them.

I agree with all the people who said, "Just say no." Do not get yourself in a situation where you come here with less than your $1600.

Tell them you're not coming unless they pay for the airfare up front.

But even still, I would be very wary of a school where the other teachers have told you they are not always paid on time. Reputable schools do pay their teachers on time and have an apartment waiting for them when they arrive.

I see red flags all over the place here. I personally have been in a couple of very bad situations here in Korea, and it's not fun.

If I were you, I would walk out the door now. But of course if you do that, I don't know how easy it will be to get a new visa for you, since you didn't even wind up using the old one, but it is still on the record.

Maybe ttompatz could help on this one. Do a search for his name and send him a private message or put a new topic on the board with his name in the subject line.

Knowing what I know now, I would not take a job like the one you've been offered at this point.

ALso, you should have an exit plan - something I really didn't have when I came here last year. And that plan should include enough extra money to get you back home if you wind up feeling you have to leave.

At any rate, good luck to you. I hope things work out well. [/i]

[Young FRANKenstein]

[bettyspaghetti]

The recruiter emailed me not to worry. That she would give the travel agent her credit card number if necessary. I just called the Agent to see what was going on (he is Korean but based in Canada) and he said the school sent him a "new" credit card number and that I would have my Eticket in one hour. So thanks to those that told you stick my ground. I feel much better.

Then I recieved a message via facebook from the girl I am replacing. She said they told her the same thing and then only reimbursed her half of the ticket on arrival and that they still owe her a little money. She also went on to say they were great except for that dot dot dot.

Ideally, I wouldn't be taking this job now but I don't have to worry about the ticket reimbursement, I already have my visa, and I have a small cushion just in case. My escape plan would be to go back to Thailand and start teaching there again since it is so easy to get your visa after you get your job. However, I am going to focus on having a positive attitude and being a good employee (without getting taken advantage of) in Korea.

Thanks for all the advice.