Korean Job Discussion Forums

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

As I was the first incoming FT at my hagwon required to get my Crimnal Background Check apositilled (April, 2008), the foreign teacher manager of my hagwon (an Aussie) couldn't explain to me what it was.

When I finally landed at the Secretary of State's office (in Missouri) they laughed at this new requirement from South Korea (no kidding), as apostilles are most commonly needed/issued for adoptions, not ESL employment.

If I had known what was awaiting me in Korea, I neverwould have complied with their ridiculous E-2 visa process -- not only the silly apostille, but having to send ORIGINAL diplomas, and flying to and from the nearst (far away) Korean consulate for a time-wasting and thoroughly idiotic visa "interview" as my visa had already been approved in Korea, prior to the interview.

I hope more and more perspective FTs will simply say; "Forget it!"

From my experience in Korea, it is NOT worth the aggravation and expense of it all.

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

Yes, we all get it. You hated Korea and now you want everyone to know about it by posting it in every other thread. You aren't even here anymore. Let it go.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Banks Cite Non-existent Law on Expat Cards
By Kim Soe-jung and Park Yeon-soo, JoongAng Daily (January 28, 2008)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2885625

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

What is your mission? To let people know that sometimes bad things happen? That life isn't a cakewalk?

It really sucks that you were permanently scared by coming here, but you make it look like it's a common thing. Why don't you put more energy into living for the future instead of complaining about something you cannot change.

Theo · Joined: 04 Jul 2009

Oh, oskinny1,
Again, you have absolutely NO IDEA what happened to me in Korea. I retirned to the U.S. in November, 2008. If I had remained in Korea perhaps even a few more days, I would have died. (medical records to prove). Of course, the Korean "hospital" refused to release my medical records to the U.S. consulate (twice requested) because they knew what would be revealed.

In the months that followed, I have stabilized my health as much as possible, and found ways to cope. During those months, I have also remained silent amd have not posted on this or any other ESL-related forums until about two weeks ago.

But I also vowed to myself that in time, I would indeed devote some of my time and energy toward warning others about the various pitfalls of ESL employment in South Korea. It seems I am not alone.

The topic of this thread was purely in regards to the crazy apostille requirement -- it seems now -- on just about everything.

I have every right to state a very hard-learned and painful lesson about the perils of working in Korea, lousy hagwons (which are plentiful), and the "gotcha!" almost slave-labor mentality of managers (Korean or foreign) -- among other things.

As I have posted previously, I had five very challenging and often-frustrating years teaching ESL in mainland China; but the positive/amazing things there certainly balanced out the negative.

I would cosnider possibly returning to China, but the employer and "medical" team I had in Korea have made that impossible.

Why is it that you oskinny1, are so supremely bothered by the notion that I am offering my experience and perspective? It's just part of the "conversation" as it were. Readers are certainly free to make up their own minds about whether or not to work in Korea. I'm sure most of them will, no matter what I post.

The fact that I seem to really "push your buttons" is, in of itself, scary.

I don't know where you hail from, but in America. we embrace free speech. The rest is up to the reader/listener to determine.

Your response implies to me that you're likely working in a recruiting capacity in Korea. Sorry if I'm threatening your livelihood. Too bad any of this is necessary. I'd much prefer to be teaching ESL instead of posting experiential warnings about South Korea, and the ESL culture there.

I'm not going to refrain from posting, just because YOU want me to "get over it," as it were. Increase your dosage.

Let's keep in touch...

Kikomom · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:31 pm Post subject:

For a clerk in a state office to laugh at the apostille requirement is understandable (been there, done that). For a college grad NOT to understand why the Korean bureaucracy wants these documents verified, is... well, pitiful. It's a shameful indictment on the education system, as it is. And I'm not talking about Korea's.