Korean Job Discussion Forums

savage · Joined: 07 Mar 2007

So even though I told my school and recruiters that I wanted to travel at the end of my contract and they said it wouldn't be an issue, they bought me a roundtrip ticket through Korean air which apparently cannot be extended past 1 year. Does anybody know if there is any way to get around this? So far I've just been told that I can cancel the ticket and get a refund of $400 to 500. I'd be willing to pay an extra fee to leave after the year but they say this isn't possible. Just wanted to know if anyone had some information that could help me.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Will you be working for a hagwon or public school? Most, likely you will be working for a hagwon, since public schools tend to buy one-way tickets to get someone over here. Hang on the ticket and DO NOT give it to the hagwon. That ticket will be your insurance if things go sour.

Monkey82 · Joined: 18 Mar 2008

What do you mean the tickets can be insurance if things go sour? Couldn't they just cancel the ticket on you? I mean, they bought it...

icicle · Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Location: Gyeonggi do Korea

Then it is going to be the school rather than you with the problem ... because your contract is for 12 months ... and if the ticket can't be extended past it (even by a few days) then it is no good for them to use for you to travel home ... Most people arrive at least a day or two before they actually start work and the contract runs for a full 12 months after that ... And most people do not leave Korea the day they finish work. Especially as it is always wise to allow for at least a day or 2 to sort out final pays and so on. The school has made a mistake and cannot expect you to pay for it.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

savage · Joined: 07 Mar 2007

Actually the school told me that if I wanted to fly home with that ticket I'd be leaving a week before I actually finish my contract.
Even though I'm not using it I'm still leaving a couple days before I actually complete a full year because my visa runs out before I am finished and it's not a problem with them.
I have the ticket right now but I'm about to cancel it so that I can at least get some of the money for it. My issue is just that I'm losing a lot of money because I obviously cannot fly to Canada for between $400-500.

I'm Seoul Lost · Joined: 19 Jun 2006 Location: In the mountains of Gyeonggi

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

Either they are trying to jack you or they do not no what is going on.

Do not leave Korea early. Wait 'til the last day. This way you will be able to claim all the benefits due by Korean law.

If your ARC expires before you end date, get an extension now.

Play by the rules and know your rights. Talk with your hagwon/school in a just manner regarding these issues. Don't get suckered.

The Labor Board can also advise you if this can't be settled properly.

savage · Joined: 07 Mar 2007

one person has left the school recently and was in the same situation as i was where he had a round-trip flight and so didnt do the full year. he didnt have a problem and the school gave him everything owed to him. a couple more people leave in the next couple weeks with the same situation so i guess i'll have a chance to see what happens to them. my old director was trying to save some money by doing roundtrip flights. the school is pretty good as far as hagwons are concerned other than with this.
what i'm really trying to figure out is if i have any way to get this flight money?

genezorm · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Mokpo

my first year i came on an open-ended one year round trip ticket, no problems, i told the school i needed to leave within a year of my arrival, i left in time and had no problems with them paying me everything i was owed