Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bobranger]

[pidgin]

Don't get me started on this subject! I've had my fill. You can't even get in the US embassy in bangkok without an appointment! Not for seeking asylum (a Hollywood concept) nor to have a look around. The consulate across the street, ok...but not "your" embassy!

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seoul
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the following was posted on another board originally by moi.

What a weekend it was!!

It all started on Friday morning at my workplace. I finished my 10:00am class, and in the teacher's room my colleague tells me that "some crazy guy was just here." I ask for more info.

Seems an American sounding black dude had come in the institute (wearing his pajamas) talking all sorts of nonsense (and maybe lapsing into another unrecognizable language) towards the clueless secretary.

When my co-worker approached the confused guy and asked what he could do, he said some more nonsensical things and my friend showed him to the door. (!)

I finished up my work and headed out to look for him. I found him 20 minutes later...circling the building. I asked him if he needed some help. He rambled on incoherently. I directed him to a nearby sychiatrist's office.

Once at the doc's desk...the doc seemed so surprised fascinated even that this guy had no memory. Couldn't say who he was or where he was from. (By the way he was clearly not drunk.) The doctor suggested that I take him to a nearby hospital (since he is a clinician and this guy need ER type of help.)

On the way there, I spotted his bags on the side of the street (of which the guy had mentioned a few times.) He wanted to leave them behind...but I lugged them to the hospital and when he was with the doctors i learned some things about him.

ATLANTA-native, in-country 6 days, 23 years old, pictures of a loving family, support letters, started a fictional story on the plane (coherent enough) and schizo-type of writing in his journal, started on arrival.(?)

It's such a long, and sorted three days, but to sum up. he's staying at my place now. He's clear, then gone....mostly gone, but he's eating well.

The embassy has been in close contact but very little to no help, the 5 hospitals we've been to have been no help. The pastor whose English speaking church's service we attended (with a sermon on "givers and takers" no less) gave me a nice smile and pat on the back The police want nothing to do and have no offers unless he commits a crime.

He's almost been hit by two buses, has given me the slip once, (miraculaously a korean called me and directed me to where he was,..my number is in his email box).

He shows alot of signs of schizophrenia, but could just as easily have a brain tumor (??). I'm no doctor.

His father is waiting (in Atlanta) on his emergency passport to clear and then he's coming to get him.

I have a feeling he'll be staying with me for the next 3-4 days until his dad shows, but we have an appt. at the embassy in 4 hours to apply for his new passport (his last one is long gone).

I haven't slept properly in 3 days, but his family keeps me energized with their worry and concern.

(at one point the embassy first tried to get me to make him commit a crime so he'd get locked up!!..and then tried to convince me to let him go.....as in abandon him on the street with his two oversized bags and a carry-on!! My reply to that?,.,..."lady...you want me to let him go, and then he gets run over by a bus, and then I am supposed to live with that!?",...stupid fukin cunt!

The one thing that really gets me about this whole thing is how many people think it is funny!? eslcafe posters,...strangers (foreigners) on the street (when I was looking for him)...even a few friends and acquaintances.

Maybe I'm thick, but I don't get the joke.

Ahhh,...I needed to get that out.

[Jeff's Cigarettes]

There is a warning on the embassy website warning Americans not to work here as ESL instructors. It says you do so at ur own risk.

[bundangbabo]

There was an advert on TV the earlier this year (it may still be running) from the FCO saying 'if you get into trouble abroad - don't come to us'

http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=J25ebh_T2a8

Which leads to the question - why are we paying our taxes to fund your glorified expat lifestyle? (even if it is in South Korea )

[esetters21]

I have a connection at the US Embassy here in Seoul . I don't worry so much.

[sojourner1]

No where else than in my dealings with the US government, except Convergys Corp., have I met such negativity from employees and management yet they are well paid, have full benefits, get to travel, have long term job security, and a retirement. It seems most who work for Uncle Sam are not qualified and nepotism rules for job acquisition though they call it requisitioning. I've been US Army, almost joined the peace corps, received aid from the social system as a kid and adult, applied for government jobs, and interviewed for those jobs. These jobs are very very tough to get and the internal mentality is brutal in some agencies while in others they are decent professionals.

The Peace Corp office people in Washington DC are awful with their low morale, dislike for the job, and negativity so I backed out of the offer to go to Botswana to teach entrepreneurship and computer networking. I've never directly dealt with US embassies and consulates, but I've heard many times it is tough to connect with them in person or on the phone on a reasonable level of reasoning. I'd hate to lose my passport while traveling abroad and miss my prepaid outbound flight waiting on a replacement while finagling with those who hate their jobs of helping US citizens abroad.

You have to be a dignitary or other VIP to get respect.

[Straphanger]

http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=iK7QV7mY_To&NR=1

Good advice for everyone. Know before you go.

[bobranger]

[Straphanger]

[esetters21]

[bobranger]

[southern boy]

My experienced with the New Zealand embassy here and in another Southeast Asian country they were being very helpful. They took the time and gave me some helpful advice and a bit of financial help to keep floated when I got screwed by a hogwon.

[bobranger]

[moosehead]

yeah, I was referred to the Canadian Embassy's website once a few years ago and was shocked how helpful it was (is? maybe still).

have been thinking about the US Embassy's lack of response to citizens' concerns when abroad - if anyone has ever seen "Missing" with Jack Lemmon one knows this isn't strictly limited to Korea by any means - nor is a recent development.

best we can do is add it to the growing list of concerns about our govt that need to be uprooted and overhauled along w/a host of others.

[jvalmer]

Wondering what you guys expect an embassy to do for the average guy? I just expect passport services and maybe, just maybe, they might provide transport from a port to a safe country in a time of war. They can't really do much else in a foreign country.