Korean Job Discussion Forums

[UnJef]

I'm thinking of leaving Korea pretty soon, and I'm wondering what could feasibly happen if I tell my boss I'm leaving before six months are up (my contract is for a year). He's been a relatively decent guy, and I don't want to screw him over by just up and ditching, but if he's gonna try and get the money for the plane ticket I might have to.

I'm not leaving for any particular reason, I'm just kinda realizing that this isn't really the job for me. There's a clause in my contract for leaving early, but it doesn't say anything about airfare.

If anyone's got any idea, lemme know.

Thanks.

[kangnamdragon]

If you are leaving before 6 months, you should give him the money for the plane ticket. Why should he pay for your passage when you do not complete the contract? I'd say tough it out and experience Korea. Learn how great Korea really is outside of your job.

[Homer]

What the dragon says....

[crazylemongirl]

while I agree with the others can I ask how long you've been here.

clg

[IconsFanatic]

I'm not a fan of breaking contracts, but you only live once.... if you're miserable, leave.

[UnJef]

I've been here for about three months.

I've decided to stick it out until the six month mark, see how I feel then. Things have been a misery lately, and the idea of nine more months of this is really daunting, but three more months seems much more manageable. Some of the past teachers at my school have left after six months, so I don't think it'll be that much of a problem for my director.

Thanks for the thoughts, though... they worked, kinda.

[riverboy]

I tend to agree with the notion of sticking with your contract. However, I had to leave my first trip because of personal reasons. If anything, I suggest you finish your six months. That is the status quo over here for most contracts.
I know one thing, if you budget well you might be singing a different tune at the end of your contract

[dominic]

what are you guys recruiters? Most owners would take every chance they had to screw over a teacher, if he leaves tomorrow, he's owes him nothing, paying for the airfare is his problem and if he loses that money becasue the teacher cant handle korean anymore thats his problem too, that's part of business.

[crazylemongirl]

[Juggertha]

yeah, listen to Dominic.. he's obviously a genious.

IMO do the best you can. Be honest.. and try to negotiate a fair deal that both are happy with.

[waterbaby]

UnJef... it could be the old culture shock kicking in... 3 ~ 4 months is the time it usually starts and everything looks gloomy & miserable and the whole novelty of being in Korea has worn off. Setting a goal for yourself to stick it out for 6 months is a great idea because you may feel differently about it by then.

In regards to contracts, just be aware that an employer can fire you without notice in the first six months of your contract and there's nothing the Labor Board can do to help you with that one.

If you do think it's a case of the "I hate Korea" blues, drop me a PM and I'll point you to some threads that might be helpful.

[UnJef]

It's not so much that I'm sick of Korea, it's that I'm sick of my job in Korea. I'd probably be perfectly happy here if not for this job I dread going to every day.

Stuff like that.

[crazylemongirl]

[ryleeys]

May we ask specifics about what in the job you dislike so much?

[UnJef]

I don't like that I'm the only native English speaker at my school, and that there's absolutely no curriculum, and that my apartment is relatively crappy, blah blah blah...

Or, maybe, I just don't like teaching English to Korean children. I didn't know before I came here, now I do.