Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Scottie Alan]

I was recently denied an E-2 visa by immigration because I indicated that I have a seizure disorder on my health form- no seizures in over 2 years, incidentally. Besides the issues of whether I should have lied (who would've thought epilepsy was in the same category as the other things they deny visas for?) or the obvious ignorance of immigration in denying my visa on those grounds- has anyone heard about or dealt with a similar problem?

[KimchiExplosion]

A friend of mine has it, but it's compeltely controlled by medication (hasn't had any seizures in years). He was turned down for his first job because he was honest, then lied about it on the second application at the suggestion of his recruiter. They don't understand things like epilepsy over here, so if you reapply say you have no medical disorders and you should be fine.

[Goon-Yang]

Mental disorder means crazy to Koreans. They don't want crazy people teaching their kids. Lie lie lie.

[Tigerstyleone]

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[loyfriend]

I would of kept that information to yourself. Even in the USA if you tell an employer that they will be less likely to hire you. So think of an employer outside the USA. In Korea they can get medical checks of all Koreans.

I did have your disorder and when I first came I told EPIK but was never hired. So I left it out and got every job after. I can't recall how many jobs I didn't get in the USA due to being honest about it.

I not sure if yours are under control, but I did have sugery that cured mine. Good luck to you.

Heck even if you have one here, you can always say it is a side affect of drinking .

[AsiaESLbound]

I almost got denied just for having a high white blood cell count on account of my body fighting a cold and flu. Kiss your visa and job goodbye if anything is confirmed to be wrong with your health. It was sticky situation requiring retesting of my blood and nail biting stress over getting this important paper. A common cold last week almost prevented me from passing the medical in order to apply for an alien card. They do require a perfect bill of health so I wouldn't recommend showing up in Korea if you have anything they can detect in blood, urine, and chest X-ray. Even if it's not contagious.

[young_clinton]

Don't ever disclose medical things on Korean job applications. Just because you're honest and decent , doesn't mean they're not going to be honest or decent. Have your condition under control before you come. Of course they are not going to hire you if THEY KNOW you have epilepsy. They will view it as damaged goods that they don't want to give to the kids.

By the way that goes for anyplace, anywhere.

It's nobody's business what you have. Even employers

[Ramen]

You could lie and get a job here. But if they ever found out that you're under medication or had a seizure, you'd lose your job almost right away.

[loyfriend]

I don't think they would care if you are on meds. I know some teachers whp take a lot of meds and have been here for years.

[caro188]

It's so annoying how much discrimination is involved with getting a job in Korea. I was told by a recruiter that because I have some food allergies (gluten) no schools would want to hire me. Should I put this on my health form?