Korean Job Discussion Forums

[yellowdove]

I am arriving next week to Seoul, then traveling to Daejeon to my residence. Seeing as how my recruiter still hasn't answered my question about how I'll be getting to Daejeon, I thought I'd pose the question to the forum. Do recruiters usually arrange for someone to take you to your place, or are you supposed to find your way there yourself? Hopefully they at least tell me my apartment address if they expect me to get to my place myself...

[gregoriomills]

tell your recruiter you won't leave the country until he/she answers your question

[Big Mac]

In my experience, someone is usually waiting for you at the airport. The only exception to that would be if you've been here before and know your way around. Even then, the school will usually insist on going to pick you up.

Koreans are notoriously bad communicators and not particularly good at answering your questions. Even if they do answer you it's not always a good answer. You might get the information you are looking for at the absolute last minute. Get used to it!

[pangaea]

I would insist on knowing what their plan is now. Refusing to tell you how you are supposed to get to your city is ridiculous. Do you have any contact information for the school or your new boss? I wouldn't think they would expect you to take the KTX into Daejeon with all your luggage but you never know. You are flying into a foreign country for at least a year-long stay. The least they can do is tell you who is picking you up and where.

[redhed]

So I agree with everyone else that someone should and probably will help you out with either some info or most likely a pick up. However, if you do find yourself at the airport alone needing to get to Daejeon, fear not. You just go to the airport bus desk after you get your bags and clear customs. There are buses departing for Daejeon every 40 minutes from the airport. They take about three hours, and you can simply store all of your luggage under the bus.

[raewon]

Hey yellowdove

A few questions:

1. What time are you landing in Incheon? Not that it really matters - but if you arrive early, you'll have lots of time to make your way to Daejeon alone, should that be the case. The airport staff are friendly and you'll be able to find someone who speaks enough English to assist you.

2. You do you have you E-2 visa in your passport, right?

3. You are flying over on a pre-paid ticket, right?

Welcome to the land of the morning something.

[PIGFACESOUPWITHRICE]

[yellowdove]

We (my husband and I) got an answer from our recruiter. Either someone will be waiting for us in Incheon, or we will get directions to the bus station. If no one is waiting for us at the plane, someone will be waiting for us in Daejeon. We arrive in Daejeon at 3:30pm, so that will be early enough.

We do have our E-2's ready to go, we've had those for a while. And our tickets are definitely pre-paid, by our school.

We will see what happens, I'll update this thread when we know more, just so that people can use our experience for their own info.

[raewon]

Great to hear that you have your visas and prepaid tickets. They've invested a lot, so they aren't going to leave you stranded. Shortly before you leave for Korea, try to get the name and contact number (cell phone number) of the person who will be meeting you. Don't call to confirm - just bring the number with you so that you have someone to contact in case you need to.

Good luck.

[nathanrutledge]

Just a warning -

At the airport there are taxi drivers everywhere. They will come up to you and offer to take you to town. DON'T DO IT!

Incheon Airport is on an island way out from Incheon proper and Seoul and just getting to town is going to be 40-50,000 won. (in good times, 50 bucks) My friend (the fool) landed, the guy who was supposed to meet him wasn't there (the plane was early, he was late) and a taxi driver took him to Seoul, charged him a ton and ditched him. Like I said, my friend the fool.

Anyway, if someone is meeting you there, then ONLY go with them. If not, just take the limo buses. DONT take a "special price" taxi ride.