Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nicam]

I am a PS teacher on Geoje, and I was given a roach infested apartment I had to exterminate myself, had NO hot water for 3 freakin' months, work a total of 9 hours a day when you factor in the 1/2 hour commute each way, have 30 or more kids in a class of all different levels, most of whom can't answer a question like "what is your name", and I have to do all of my own lesson planning for these classes. Everything I plan is too difficult for them, and they don't understand a word I am saying. The co-teachers all don't understand a word I am saying either, which makes daily communication utterly exhausting, and is usually just reduced to them laughing at me.

Well, there's the time off you say? All of the PS teachers here were told they would have to do a 2 week camp during the recess and would be free the rest of the time. Well, yesterday the dep't held a "sudden meeting" where they got all of us PS teachers on the island together and basically said despite the fact that we told you you would have off you only have 7 holidays in your contract, and you ALL have to work every other day during the recess at your schools. On top of that, they tacked on 4 more hours a day to the 2 hours we were told we'd be working at the camps. Right. Technically my booked vacation to Bali, which my co-teacher said was fine, runs for 8 days. Well, they tried to get me to cancel to come to work one day and then stuck me with a 6 class a day camp schedule when I refused.

They made it abundantly clear that they would work us like animals with no breaks at all during this "sudden meeting", which BTW we were given a 1/2 hours notice for and ran us until after 6 p.m..

A) I'm exhausted from the long hours, early start time, lack of communication, commute, etc.

B) I don't like my location, as it's a damn hick town.

C) I am so furious about how they told us one thing and then decided to change it all for the worst.

D) Given the exchange rate the pay is such crap. Really, I could get much more somewhere else, and not in the public system.

E) This stunt they pulled on us was the last straw, and just utterly dehumanizing and disorganized in it's execution. They were NASTY about it and they were the ones taking away what we were verbally promised.

I don't want to leave the students, but I'm so furious and think this job is not worth all of the headache. Most of my friends have amazing hagwons where they are very happy. I am here in Korea and can do the leg work and research.

I am not the only PS teacher here that wants to leave. Are we being unreasonable? I have been here for nearly 4 months. What are my options for leaving, and would it be hard to find a good job after that? Can I notify future potential employers of my leaving my PS contract? How would this work?

Thanks.

[bundangbabo]

I was at a crap hagwon and left 5 months into my contract and was back
here 3 months later.

What I did was have a word with Michelle at worknplay. You don't have to wait 12 months to get another E2 visa if you jump ship early or I didn't anyway.

If you think these arseholes are going to screw you into the ground - midnight run it out of town. Get in touch with some recruiters though, tell them your plans and see what your options are.

[crescent]

I would have left a long time ago. Why do people put up with this ?

If you want to go, collect you next pay and leave.
At the airport, hand in your ARC card and tell the immigration officer to cancel your visa.

Try the process again.

[Ice Tea]

seriously I agree with the last guy. why do you put up with this nonsense. do you have no self-respect? I was sad when I left my kids too at my old hagwon, but I couldn't resign to that hole. this is not the US. the rules are not fair here. morality doesn't apply. if you try to be honest and moral you only open yourself up to abuse. refund your ticket and buy one for home. don't try anything legal like giving notice or whatever. the rules of this country are all made to benefit your employer, you can't win. even if you run, your employer still wins.

[nicam]

So, I should just pull a runner and tell my recruiter (Footprints)?

[bundangbabo]

[crescent]

[nicam]

What's the quickest way to get back and can I do the process from Thailand, or someplace sunny? Don't think I want to go home for 3 months...

[dmbfan]

You know.......much of this crap happens because expat teachers ALLOW it to happen, by not standing up for themselves and EACH OTHER.

Does anyone really think that a school would pull this kind of crap if all the expat teachers said............."You want to do, WHAT?! No.....way....".


But, I feel for you OP.


It was before and I'll say it again...........public schools in Korea are turnign into hogwans.



dmbfan

[ttompatz]

OP:

You are a PS teacher? Give your notice and leave.

You will get paid for your work until you leave (unlike at a hakwon).
You will continue to maintain your benefits (medical/pension) until you leave.
You will have to repay your air ticket and settlement if you are quitting before the 6 month mark. You will NOT have to repay them if you are leaving after the 6 month mark.
You WILL get your deposit back.

Hand in your ARC on the way out and cancel your visa.
You can return as soon as you find a new job.

When you land in your warm place, look for a new job and begin the visa process again. Be sure to order a new CRC and transcripts before you leave (you will need them for your new visa application)

.

[nicam]

Yes, I am a PS teacher. I was wondering if and why it would be best for me to pull a runner. I only have to stick it out for 2 more months before I am at the 6 month mark, which I can certainly manage.

Ordering documents from the U.S. sounds like a pain... thought you had to do the CRC in person?

[justaguy]

Should I stay or should I go now?

If I stay there will be trouble.

If I go there will be double.

Should I stay or should I go now?

[cruisemonkey]

You�re experiencing a (slightly delayed) form of culture shock - in most cases CS manifests itself at around 3 months, but varies by the individual and their circumstances.

[ChinaBoy]

[Sody]

Pull a runner.