Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KateClemens]

Hello!

I'll just get straight to the point. About two and half years ago, I started attending counselling and was eventually diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I am on anti-depressants to this day.

I have held off applying to EPIK because they ask about mood disorders, and want a letter from your doctor if you have been treated for one. I understand why they are asking it, but it kind of bugs me that its a requirement. I guess I'm too used to the uber protective Canadian privacy laws

I guess my question is, if I am asked about it by a recruiter or school, will it hurt my chances if I answer honestly? (which I will, I'm a terrible liar so most of the time I don't even try) I'll probably just not apply to EPIK (im irked and too lazy to get a doctor's letter when i dont HAVE to) and stick with private schools. But I still wonder if they will ask about mental health, in terms of culture shock and all that, and am not sure how I should reply.

Hope this made sense and thank-you for any insight you can give me.

Thanks,
Kate

[TheUrbanMyth]

[ttompatz]

[Goon-Yang]

[KateClemens]

Thank-you for your replies.

I understand where you all are coming from. However, I can't help but think that your answers are partly out of ignorance. You have no idea who I am as a person. I am not the "clinically depressed one" - I am more than that. It is not my identity.

I have spent a year abroad as a student (that would be last year and post-treatment). This included four weeks of backpacking to places that do not speak English and are not friendly to foreigners. I have been planning to teach ESL abroad for four years (that would be before, during and after treatment). I have experience in an international setting (and I went there alone, knowing nothing) and it was thoroughly worthwhile.

I know my weaknesses, my triggers and I know how to go about managing them. I have not been depressed for two years and I am proud to say that I consider myself completely recovered (as does my counsellor). For the rest of my life, I will be more susceptible to it than most people, but that's where cognitive therapy and medication reverses that susceptibility.

With my international experience and personal experience, I can say with certainty that I am better equipped to move and work abroad than most people. Furthermore, I've even had friends who have done it and who know me very well who say that I will love it.

I want my career to involve immersing myself in new cultures and learning new ways of life because I know better than most people that OUR way isn't the best way or the only way. I am passionate about history, travelling and international issues (my degree is in history and international development) and I can't wait to begin my new career. I am not just doing this to make money, or because I have no other ideas, but because I truly want to. Thus, I am in a much better mental position than the many who just go to Korea to make money and party.

I will keep searching until I find the right school for me. If it takes longer than most people, so be it. I'll fight for it!

Thank-you.

Kate

PS - You don't need to reply.. I don't mean to start any kind of debate. I just felt I had to stand up for all the people who have experienced mental illness. We are just as capable as anyone else. Just because we are aware of our weaknesses, does not mean that we are weak.

[eamo]

If you're just asking if Korean employers will be as sympathetic to depression and other disorders as western employers.....then, answer is probably not.

If you're asking whether you should come to Korea to teach.......that's only something you can answer with the information at your disposal.

For example, nearly all employers in Korea have a totally different attitude to sick days than western ones......i.e. they really get upset about it and will maybe even give you notice if you take a lot of sick days (a lot of sick days in Korea would be more than 2 per year!!).......that's just one example of Korean employers Vs Western.

[Mr. Pink]

Kate,

After 10 years in Korea I have seen quite a bit. I have seen normal people go down the slippery slope of depression, and it just did not end up nice for them.

We aren't putting you down, however, you have NO CLUE how harsh Korean society is. Those before me have given you truthful and accurate responses on your question.

It is good that you know yourself and your boundaries, however, you don't know Korea. Listen to what people are saying and look for another country. IMO Japan or Taiwan are going to be a lot less oppressive and depressing than Korea is.

If things start to take a turn for the worse for you in Korea, who you are going to get to help you? Koreans will think you are crazy and seriously are not equipped to deal with mental issues. It is not like back home where you can get professional help and medication.

Also, you should note there is no privacy in Korea as far as doctor-patient privilege. Chances are your doctor will call your employer. They pretty much treat foreigners like children.

[KateClemens]

Those two questions are a good distinction to make. I was asking the first one. Just so I could be prepared for reactions if anyone asked me.

I am not ashamed and I will never lie about it. If it means I don't get the best teaching job, I don't care.

[Mr. BlackCat]

I think it's fine to come over. Just have an escape plan and look at it like an experiment. Many, many people don't last a full year for a number of reasons so it's important to know that if you also don't make it you're not alone. Expect to be lonely and isolated at times and to miss home. That's just advice for anyone coming over. Unless you have difficulty coping with everyday life in Canada I don't see why it would be a problem here.

The other posters are correct though, there is little to no support for mental issues here and it's really not looked upon too favourably. But I've known several foreigners here for many years on anti-depressants and they're doing fine. I don't know the extent of your condition or really even theirs, though. I don't know if you'll find competent counselling if you need it, for example.

As for being up-front about it, I would just say no. I don't think those sorts of meds come up on the medical. I could be wrong, though. Even if they do, I'm not sure an employer will fire you after going through the trouble of bringing you here just for that.

Anyway, good luck.

[whome33]

Kate, you won't get any job.
They ask that on the epik job application? You may find a private hagwon that doesnt come out and ask that. But you still need to fill in the medical self-assessment form, which asks about mood disorders, and any medication. You won't get a visa to work in korea.
If you're confident you can tackle Korea and all that, that's great. But if you don't lie about it, you won't get a visa. its that simple.
So korean society aside, you should look at another country to work in. Or you can get off your moral high horse, and lie about it (its not their business anyways)

[English Matt]

No one is saying you should be ashamed, what we are saying is that you will not get a job if you are honest about your condition.....therefore try somewhere else.

I have lived in several other countries for periods of several years each.....Korea is not the first time I have lived overseas. However it is the first time I have noticed myself become withdrawn, depressed and not a little bit loopy for periods of time. I have seen people who seemed balanced and on an even-keel unravel over here, and it is often the topic of conversation on this board and IRL that there are a lot of 'freaky weagookin' in Korea. This country is difficult to adapt to, there are a whole bunch of things waiting to stress you out and push your buttons.....you have no experience of these stressors and therefore will be less prepared to deal with them when you encounter them.

I've met very few people, here in Korea, who haven't had issues with depression since they have been here (to a greater or lesser degree). If you are predisposed towards depression then I think everybody on this forum will suggest that you go somewhere else. That doesn't mean that we think you are weak.

[mmstyle]

OP, I won't address whether or not you should come here-it's been done. It sounds to me like you have a good idea of where you are in terms of dealing with it, and keeping it under control.

However, consider your meds. Some meds are available in Seoul, and if you decide to come here, you need to know if you can get what you are taking here.

More importantly, some antidepressants most certainly can cause you to fail the required medical. While some major hospitals in Seoul will allow you to take this again, it can take time and expense. If you are taking a a med that will set it off, you will have to stop taking it for the time it takes to get out of your system. If medication is a major part of keeping your depression under control, you will need to consider if this is something you want to do.

[Banana_Man]

[quote="mmstyle"]
However, consider your meds. quote]

This is really good advice!

If you want to come, you can get a job - there will be some that say no, but there will be many that say yes.

I would say don't tell your co-workers the situation, get a private doctor - not one through your employer, most will not (as someone said) contact your employer, some will though especially if they are in the school's area.
Make sure, you have an escape plan, just in case!

[ttompatz]

[Dazed and Confused]

Kate,
I'm not continuously on meds but do need them from time to time. Being on an F5 visa keeps me away from the medical tests and questionairs. However, I think years ago I had to answer some questions about my medical history. I answered "No" to the mental health questions.

Generally Koreans don't understand mental illness. My first year in Korea I needed to see a psychiatrist for medication and asked my boss to take me to the hospital. In the waiting room he told me to "think happy thoughts". I almost strangled him! I've learned that telling Koreans I have a problem with my brain works better. They can understand you have a physical problem.