Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JFuller317]

Hello everyone.

As is standard, my hagwon agreed to pay for my return flight to the US when my contract is up in July. However, I've decided to do some traveling after I finish here, so I won't need this ticket. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with getting the cash value of the return ticket in order to purchase a ticket home at a later date from some other city. Does this sound easy/reasonable? Do people typically get less money than the value of the ticket (a one-way ticket from Daegu to Los Angeles in mid-July is listed at $937 USD, which would be over 1.3 million won at current exchange rates)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Big Mac]

In my experience they don't normally have a problem with it. My last hogwan capped it at 800,000 instead of the ticket at the end of the contract. If you re-signed but did not go home, they would give you 1.3 million.

[RufusW]

Can I piggyback and ask about PS EPIK rules?

[BS.Dos.]

[JFuller317]

Thanks for the reply. I guess the best I can do is ask and try to negotiate the most money I can. I'd like to get at least a million since I'm flying out of Daegu, which is normally a couple of hundred USD more than Seoul or Busan.

[refikaM]

Can I piggyback and ask about PS EPIK rules?

At the end of your contract, EPIK Gangwondo will fly you to the nearest international airport to your home city OR to another destination that's the same distance or less... I've checked into this because I won't be flying directly home when my contract finishes this year. The new contract as of March 2009 states that teachers will be given 1,300,000 won to use however they please upon finishing their contracts or resigning (for home leave). Not sure about EPIK in other provinces, however. I suggest contacting your area coordinator or your POE.

[cruisemonkey]

In Gyeongsangnam-do, EPIK will fly you home, or anywhere equal to or less than the distance home (2008 contract). They use the GTR process where you phone up either Korean Air (or Asiana) and tell them the date and to where you want to fly (or the specific flights you want). When they're approved by the POE, the airline emails you tickets. It's great - no waiting for reimbursement.

Of course, for the 2009 contract they have changed to fixed, monitary 'Entrance', 'Exit' and 'Renewal Allowances' instead of flights.

[Tux]

Sorry to hijack

Does GEPIK payout if you are staying in the country? It's not specifically in my contract but I'm kinda hoping that I'll get something.

Cheers

[cmr]

GEPIK gives you the choice of a plane ticket or the money for the same amount as if you bought your ticket even if you don't go home. I didn't go home this year, but signed a new contract with the same school and got the money for the plane ticket anyway.

[tigercat]

I have a 2008 EPIK contract and my return flight should be paid for by my POE. In this case, can I request a specific airline (e.g. Cathway Pacific) for my return flight if I collect miles, even if the price is more than 1.3 million won? *confused*

[broken76]

Most schools will either purchase a different ticket for you or give you a cash equivalent if you stay with the school. The school is required to make sure that you leave the country by immigration once your Visa is up.

[gnomead]

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