Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Street Magic]

Hey. I apologize if this story is a little long, but it'd help a lot if I could get some advice on it (long story short-- I have a health issue, my boss is a scammer, and I need advice on how to get from Daejeon to Incheon Airport to America without an ARC or phone:

So I've only been teaching here (in Daejeon) for a week, but I haven't been able to eat any solid food since getting here and I've lost a lot of weight (I was down to 54kg/119lb as early as the 2nd day here). While I was going to stick things out in hopes my appetite would return, I just ran into the foreign teacher I'm replacing at the school last night and he confirmed for me that the director is a total scam artist, which is actually good since this allows me to fly home and take care of my health guilt-free.

Aside from this teacher's experiences never getting paid and being threatened with replacement for asking too much about his pay, I've had my own contractual type problems with the director even in the short time I've been here so far. She 1) offered to pay upfront for the ticket, only to insist I buy one and more importantly 2) she has me living with her and her husband instead of in my own apartment, which she said was temporary only to tell the Korean teacher I work with that I was OK with staying there the whole year.

Once again though, I don't want any of these problems resolved in my favor, nor do I care about getting any money (like for the ticket). I just want to leave, and as soon as possible. Problem is, the director didn't take me to get an ARC or any of the other stuff that comes with the card like a cell phone (she told me we would go for the ARC two days ago, but when her husband came back to our apartment to pick me up, he just took me to the school to teach instead). I am the only foreign teacher at this very small school; the only other native English speaker I know is the one I'm replacing, and he's leaving on the 22nd of this month.

I think that's enough information about my situation.

What can I do to leave as soon as possible? If I tell my boss I intend to leave, will she be obligated to assist me so long as my ticket is indeed for America? I don't care about teaching again or winning back any money I've already spent. I just want to know how to get to Incheon Airport from Daejeon and to America from Incheon Airport at some point in the near future (despite my lack of ARC).

Thanks a lot in advance to anyone who can help me with this.

PS: If you live in Daejeon and are willing to assist me in person, I'm willing to pay for your time and assistance.

[afsjesse]

I think you're assuming that you need your ARC to leave the country. This is simply not true. There is nothing or no one to prevent you from leaving anytime that you wish.

I think you're lucky you talked with the foreigner you're replacing. Furthermore, I can't believe that you are living with your boss. This is totally unacceptable. As for getting any money from your boss for airfare, it's just not going to happen. Better to leave now and try again later when your current visa expires.

Regards,

Jesse

[Street Magic]

First of all, thank you for responding.

[Steve_Rogers2008]

there's airport buses scattered all over, look for boards up at busy bus stops for a full list... I took one in Ansan a while back....

And let this be a lesson to all to ask to speak to the teacher you're replacing... most reputable schools this will not be a problem. and too bad the teacher didnt Man/Woman up to make sure the next poor soul wouldn't have to put up with a pain-in-the a** boss.....

[jvalmer]

As long as you have your passport, you are fine. I assume you don't have an ARC and have been in the country for less than 3 months? So you're probably on the standard tourist visa.

Easiest way getting the Incheon Airport is bus. Or go to Daejeon Station and hop a train to Seoul Station. Even if your taxi driver doesn't know english, he should know Daejeon Station. Unless it's a holiday, it's super easy getting a ticket and I think it will cost you 20,000-won. Trains going to Seoul every 15 or so minutes (takes 1 to 1.5 hours). Once at Seoul Station, there are tons of buses going to Incheon Airport. If you're intimidated, find the information desk and you'll probably find someone there that can speak enough english to direct you to the Incheon bound buses.

[Street Magic]

[Street Magic]

I forgot to mention:

I don't have a computer printer. Do I need one to print out a ticket receipt for the airport? I also don't have a reliable internet connection (I'm relying on unsecured wifi signals). Do they have printers at those PC bangs and can I use a PC bang with cash only (no ARC card or bank cards)?

Finally, is there another acceptable way to purchase a ticket to America, or should I just count on needing to do so online?

EDIT: My family can assist me with using one of their cards for the online ticket, but there's still the issue of whether I need to print out anything to bring with me to the airport.

[ticktocktocktick]

Most PC bangs will have a printer. Just ask the guy at the desk 'printer iss-eo-yo?'

You don't need any ID to use a PC bang.

[partymop]

You know, I usually hate a lot of the jerks that come on here and rail someone asking for help or you doesn't know what they do, but come on...

Why wouldn't you ask before you took the job to talk to the foreign teacher you were replacing? That is just common sense. If a school refuses to provide his/her email or phone number, then you don't accept the job and move on. As well, I'm sorry to say, you claim you had lost a pile of weight on your second day here??? That's physically impossible. I may be wrong, but you just sound like another one of these people who didn't research what you were getting into and got freaked out when you got here.

That being said, your hagwon sounds awful and I'm sorry you got mixed up with that, but I have seen too many people blow in and out of here without doing their research or following up on the basic question you should be asking before you accept a job anywhere, let alone a foreign country. You can leave anytime you want (which by the way, all you need to do is get to the airport and buy a ticket, this country isn't a prison), but these shady hagwan owners are gong to stay in business and look like the victims as long as this cycle continues. Anyways, good luck getting home and I hope you can spread your cautionary tale to anyway thinking about coming over without painting the whole country in a negative light, because there are a lot of great schools and jobs here. take care

[oldfatfarang]

Sorry to hear about your trouble. It's all too common here.

My tip when you are in trouble. Try and get young Korean university students to help you. They know some English, and are very kind and helpful. Asking older Koreans for directions, or where to buy bus tickets etc doesn't always work.

I'm not sure how you can get your air ticket? I always buy mine on-line with Kangsan travel. If you pay at their bank - they'll forward you an eticket. You can print out your eticket at work - or at any PC bang (2,000 won).

You can leave the country any time you want. Don't tell your employer you're leaving. Just get a ticket, jump a bus to Incheon International Airport. Show your passport and eticket - and leave.

Can someone please give the poster the hanguel symbols for Incheon International Airport? (print these out and show to buy a bus ticket).


Good luck. I hope you get well soon.

[ttompatz]

To quit = just leave.

Get to ICN airport, catch a bus.

The airport limo bus is direct from Daejeon to Incheon Airport.
http://www.airport.kr/airport/traffic/bus/busList.iia?flag=E
No need to get a ticket. Just pay the driver. They speak a little English.
Stops are at: Daedeok Lotte Hotel, Daejeon Government Complex, Dongboo Cross-Country Bus Terminal Center.
Frequency is 110-170 minutes. (about every 2-3hours).
cost is 14k won.

For your flight: You don't need the printout of the ticket, just the flight information and ticket number. Write it out. The rest is in the computer and they just look it up.

You don't need an ARC for anything.

You won't be stopped or arrested. The only thing you have done is piss your boss off. No worry. That is not a crime.

Have a nice flight home.

.

[ChilgokBlackHole]

[crossmr]

these days you don't usually print tickets. You get a confirmation number you use at the airport to print your boarding passes.

[TheUrbanMyth]

Also one more thing. You probably know this already, but just in case.... if the Immigration officer (on the way out) asks what you were doing, you were sightseeing (a tourist) and staying with a friend/at yogwans.

The above advice ONLY applies though, if you do not have the E-2 visa stamped in your passport already.

[crossmr]