Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kentucker4]

My flight leaves on Thursday and stops over in Los Angeles for four days (so I can see some family) and then to Korea. I will be taking only $200 with me for both Cali and Korea. My question is, do you think my new boss will give me some money after only two weeks of work? I imagine I will only have around $130 or so to live on the first month.

[ThingsComeAround]

Sooo not wise...
I would advise kimbap and ramyeon for the first month...

[cruisemonkey]

I'm sure some ajumma in the local market will take pity and chuck a couple of sweet potatos your way.

[kentucker4]

It seems like I was paid for my first two weeks in my old job and then paid a monthly salary a month after that initial half a month payment.

[Snake Doctor]

Ah, Kentucker4 - I can't wait to read of your adventures in the Korea again. A few years ago, we had bigfoot, aliens, crazy cop stories, what am I leaving out? Dunno, anyway - it's great to have you back. I think it'll be great to have some drama to read about again!

You should probably talk to your boss about money problems, most people report that payday loans are pretty common here though. It's one of the things that Koreans love to diss on waegookin about and all that. cheers

[JasperTeach]

Talk to your boss and ask if it's possible to get an advance on your first paycheck... mine said it was definitely possible fyi

[OnTheOtherSide]

Go down to the Boulevard in LA and turn a couple tricks.

[hellofaniceguy]

Man oh man...you're off to a rip roaring start, aren't you! All gung ho and piss and vinegar!
You tell the boss you need an advance....he/she now knows that you are hurting big time. Not only will you loose face and embarrass yourself....they are thinking....you are not prepared enough to make a move half way around the world...how are you going to prepare to teach?
Suck it up, eat noodles, etc. and keep quiet...don't share your business with no one! Don't loose face....very few would respect you afterwards...

[Gwangjuboy]

[JasperTeach]

i still think you should ask for an advance (despite what anyone else thinks) -- i know that many people have done this..... or another suggestion - borrow a little cash from another language teacher at your school and give them something like your ipod as collateral and after one paycheck square it away

[Protonoto]

[ryoga013]

one bottle of water that you refill at work using their purifier W400
toilet paper taken from your hagwon W0
confiscating treats kids have in class W0
one gimbap a day for the first month W30,000
ramen on sale 5pk/3,000 month supply W18,000

I suppose you could live, not thrive by any means... I guess maybe survive is a better word...

[chris_J2]

If you're in a public school, you should be given 300,000 won as part of the contract, within a week. The airfare will be reimbursed within a month if you provide all boarding passes & baggage ticket stubs. If not, perhaps you could impose on your LA rellies for a loan? You'll also need $50 for the medical test, when you arrive in Korea.

[saw6436]

You and your wife/gf(?) on $200 for a month. Ask your gangster connection for a loan.

[Goku]

My buddies in a bind with money in college, they found it easier to cut everything instead of trying to scrounge up money.

You'd be suprised how much is actually useless stuff.

Toiletries like tooth paste and shaving cream are actually pretty needless. You can always use warm water for both, it gets the job done.

Don't buy anything.

Only buy food and buy kimpab stores. Stuff like bibimpab. Best bang for your buck.

Your expeditures should ONLY include food, no drinks. NO drinks, no soda, no beer, nothing. Drinks are a waste of money.

One of the roomies kept buying soda and he was down to the wire of $20. Soda is $2 for a liter and THAT is enough for 1 meal.

If you need to get by on $200 usd for 30 days it comes out to approximately $6 a day.

Buy two bibimpabs and you'll be fine.

Otherwise, work privates. You should be F4. You had a Korean wife if I remember correctly