Korean Job Discussion Forums

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject: Serious Winter Camp Problem

Back in October, my school told me that they weren't sure if there would be winter camps this year and if there were they would schedule them around my vacation time. I gave them the dates I wanted and they approved them and told me to buy my tickets. I've spent over $3,000 on this trip so cancelling it is not an option. A week or so later we got an email from the DMOE saying that they weren't sure about winter camps so don't schedule a vacation, but I had already done so.

I got an email from the DMOE saying that camps will be the first 2 weeks of January and I will be gone for the first week. I'm wondering if I should e-mail them back NOW explaining the situation or wait to see if I will even be scheduled for that first week.

I don't really know what to do because like I said, cancelling the trip is not an option.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Serious Winter Camp Problem

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

You should have waited like everyone else.

Unfortuneately things were in the air as far as Daegu administration is concerned but also you nor anyone is protected in such matters.

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject:

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

Maybe you can get someone to cover for you?

danseonsaeng · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Don't worry about it. The school approved your dates; if the DMOE comes back and changes things, it's on them. You've got your tickets, you've got your dates, and you'll take your vacation when you were supposed to.

I was in the exact same situation. Co-teacher put in a call to the district, straightened things out.

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject:

danseonsaeng · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

'Camp first/vacation second' is such a BS arbitrary thing to enforce. Let the schools handle it, you jerks.

I don't understand what possible difference it could make...

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

raewon · Joined: 16 Jun 2009

I've been in a similar position before. I know it's a stressful situation for you to be in, but as long as you don't get upset with anyone (and I believe you have reason to when they pull stunts like that) - you should be OK. You deserve your vacation, so take it. Just keep explaining things with a level head and you should be fine.

Good luck.

ulsanchris · Joined: 19 Jun 2003 Location: take a wild guess

It would have been better if you had waited until getting official word on when vacation would start. Better be safe than sorry.
Now, to be a bit more helpful i have a suggestion. If they say you have to cancel your plans, tell them that since the school approved your vacation then they should have to pay any cancellation fees and cover all the money you would lose from having to cancel the trip. They will probably reconsider not letting you go at this part. Be sure that you stress that you had permission from the school and that this is not your fault and since it isn't your fault you shouldn't have to pay. This might help you out.

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:59 pm Post subject:

Good news! My teacher talked to them and at first they were saying no but then I talked to them and explained that the school approved it and they did so before the district ever told us about the winter camp fiasco and said that I have non-refundable tickets and an excursion and I cannot cancel or change my dates for any reason and he said he would make a note not to schedule me for the first week of January, but wait until I hear from the district first before planning my summer vacation, which I can live with.

I'm so relieved!

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:07 pm Post subject:

I'm no Picasso · Joined: 28 Oct 2008