Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ieatsmurfs6]

I've been in Korea for two years and am planning to go back to the US for the first time since I've been here. My school has been really scant about giving me details about my plane tickets home, even though I renewed my contract for another year because I (usually) like it here and have a good apartment.

Anyway, I'm supposed to be going home for three weeks next week. They told me not to worry and that everything would be taken care of. Today they tell me to buy my own tickets and that they'll reimburse me when I come back. I haven't recieved my bonus yet and don't have enough money to afford this at the moment.

I work for a public high school through GEPIK. What should I do?!

[Gaber]

Do you a have an NSET district rep? If so, I'd contact them. Sounds like an administrator just being a bit lazy and not wanting to look into the process. Also, do the EPIKs have something like the SMOEworld forum? If so, they might have some ideas. Good luck!

[climber159]

Don't let them do this to you. I don't have a copy of the GEPIK contract with me, but, you should check it to see whether the school can in fact go this route. If you buy it and are not returning to the school I certainly wouldn't bet on them paying you back. I'd tell them that you'd be more than happy to book and reserve the flight. Then, provide the school administration with the flight reservation number so they can pay. It's win-win. Piece of mind for you and simple as pie for them.

[Burndog]

[mayorgc]

Can somebody explain that part to me?

So if somebody renews with gepik, they are provided airfare to visit home? is the airfare only for people who renew? is that one of the perks of renewing? or do all gepikers get that airfare, regardless of renewing?

[Rteacher]

I've just skimmed the replies to this point, and it seems like they don't grasp the fact that it's about getting reimbursed airfare for visiting home after re-signing with GEPIC.

The standard process is that you book and pay for your own ticket, fill out a form and turn in the receipt for the flight, then get reimbursed some time after you return.

The Korean co-teacher acting as liaison with the education ministry should help the process along.

This first time I did it (I've been at the same high school for over four years) I also didn't have enough on hand to buy the ticket, but the head of the English department was kind enough to lend me the entire amount.

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

They want you to buy the ticket to avoid buying a ticket themselves which you might cash-in.

They could have told you this long ago of course.....though it serves as a safeguard that you'll return.

[D.D.]

You just ring asiana or korean air and book. Tell them to call your education office and all is paid. I did it last year, no worries.