Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Young FRANKenstein]

[Dude Ranch]

why did you get fired? at least share so other people can avoid ending up in the same situation

[tombirner]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the responses. Okay... my job... the head of English was a really anal, uptight Jesus freak who had it out for me right off the bat, and she's buddies with the principal. We kind of skipped that polite phase upon meeting and immediately started butting heads. I don't think she was crazy about my teaching, but it was other stuff I was told were the reasons for being fired, most of them lies, probably all by her. Everyone else seemed to like me fine.

She was upset that I'm skinny and my belt was having issues and when I bent over one day she saw my boxers, which she made sure to criticize me for. During the introduction, I answered a child truthfully that I liked to have a beer sometimes on weekends- apparently that didn't go over very well with the powers that be. I used to use a bathroom upstairs and across the hall, near this lady's classroom, because the bathroom near my classroom was often filled with children. This woman said I was wandering the school, staring into classrooms at teachers (not true at all- maybe a glance at the teachers or the class as I walk by, as is human nature). They also said I made inappropriate comments to or about females, which is totally false.

The main reason, though, was not that I failed a drug test, but that I was worried I'd fail a drug test. My co-teacher, who was totally cool and who I am convinced had nothing to do with this, told me I had to take a medical exam the first week of school. I read I had ninety days to take the test, and she seemed cool so I told her I was worried that I would fail the drug test, because I smoked a little grass in Thailand a few weeks back. Stupidly, she asked (hypothetically) the administrative peeps if a failed drug test would result in a teacher being fired. I passed the drug test, but the administrative people put two and two together and realized that if I was worried about failing a drug test, I obviously did drugs.

My recruiter said that that was the big one- the other stuff probably could have added up to a warning, but there was no getting passed the drug test.

So now they are canceling my visa this Friday. And everyone tells me something different about it. I thought my recruiter said that the canceling of the visa basically is the same as a letter of release, but I've since heard that an actual printed letter of release is crucial. I thought my recruiter also said that the school would give me a letter of release, though, before he added that canceling the visa is basically the same.

DMBfan, I have my diploma but no transcripts and foolishy did not make a copy of my CRC. Were you talking about the proces needed for another E2 visa, if it comes to that? I have hopes that I can immediately find another job at a public school (interview on Monday), so I can transfer. But again, I keep hearing different things- I need to do it before the visa is canceled (meaning I have a week to find a job and get my letter of release), I have 7/10/14 days after the visa is canceled to do it, etc.

My head is swimming. I know it's easy to get a job here, but the visa process is so damn complicated. Seriously, for as strict as they try to be, it seems like there is just so much ambiguity to the process steps.

I also was not aware the degree that my school hates me, and I'm worried they will formally complain to immigration. My co-teacher told me she was made to put into writing what I told her about my drug test. Is that something they'd send to immigration? I would hope the fact that I PASSED the drug test would outweigh a little school gossip, but combine that with those other ridiculous claims about being some sort of sexual timebomb, and I'm a little worried I'll get denied. I really planned on being here long term- I am starting to fall in love with someone here, and the thought of not being able to stay scares the hell out of me and makes me so queasy.

I think it's likelier, though, that at worst I'll have to go through the E2 process again. Knock on wood, but I don't think immigration is organized enough to red flag my visa application because of the school's complaints, and I have trouble believing that the school would be so vindictive as to ruin my life just because things didn't work out between us. I was very polite and smiled and said hello to everyone, the kids loved me, my co-teacher loved me, and I'm quite certain that all the ridiculous claims were the work of one woman.

I should also ask: if immigration has my criminal background check, and I don't need to get another original, then why do I have to get a coy of it? And can I ask them to make me a copy?

Lastly, where does the alien card fit into all this? I handed it in to immigration two days before I got fired, so they have it now along with my passport.

[cruisemonkey]

[John_ESL_White]

[Gillian57]

Honestly, I have concerns whether you should even be here. My reasons for saying this are:
1) You've been here for 2 weeks and you are already "falling in love" with someone?
2) Knowing you were coming to Korea, you still smoked in Thailand? How incredibly irresponsible is that?
3) You "trusted" a Korean teacher to keep your secret having known said teacher for 2 weeks? Now you little secret is in writing?
4) It seems obvious you did not do adequate research prior to coming, which shows a certain degree of immaturity and combined with 1-3 above tells me this is not a good environment for you.
My suggestion is you cut your losses and go home, grow up a bit more, and try again in oh.....10 years or so......

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but I really do think you have not grown up enough to be here.

[Straphanger]

[Straphanger]

[curlyhoward]

[Young FRANKenstein]

[cruisemonkey]

[milkweedma]

This whole thread is just comical. i LMAO.

[tombirner]

Wow, lots of sudden hate for me on here. Try to remember, guys, that I'm an actual human being and am going through a really tough time (one that is arguably my fault, I realize)... I mean I doubt you guys would be such di cks if we met and I told you about my situation in person... but anyway... have your laughs if you want them, I guess.

I came to Korea in November, 2007, so I didn't fall in love with someone or instantly fu ck myself over in two weeks. I successfully completed two contracts (one E2 and one C4) before screwing up this one. I quit smoking weed a few years back, but I was on vacation in Thailand so I smoked a few times. I had read that I would have ninety days to take my physical upon returning to Korea, so I didn't think it was a big deal at the time. Obviously, in hindsight, I regret this.

This is a public school, not a Hakwon. So maybe they won't be quite as vindictive- I don't know. I've been advised to go in Monday morning and apologize profusely to the principal and maybe even bring her a gift of some kind. So we'll see where that leaves me.

[Straphanger]

[Young FRANKenstein]