Korean Job Discussion Forums

SLK · Joined: 08 Aug 2010

Hi all...

I was just wondering if anyone can help advise me on something:

Am I right in thinking most hagwons/school have changed their policies regarding paying airfare upfront?

I have been offered what seems like a fairly agreeable contract but they will ONLY refund me my airfare, not pay it upfront.
I am seriously worried about paying my own airfare, as not only have I been told by all the people with experience I've been receiving advice from that I should hold out for upfront paid flights, but I will only have enough saved before going to last me until my first paycheck. Buying flights to Korea would eat up this money for sure.

Help!! I have to respond to the job offer in the next day or so...

Thanks in advance;

SLK.x

LDJS · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Location: Earth

Aifare paid up front is not common, only possible.

Don't fret.

Take the job because most schools will give you an advance big enough to get though until your first paycheck anyway.

You could even ask your school before you sign. I've done this twice in the past and no problems at all.

600,000 Won will be easily enough to get you through your first month, no probs. Even 500,000.

I know plenty of folks incuding myself who have done this.

Good luck and let us know what happens!

SLK · Joined: 08 Aug 2010

That's good to know! Thanks Smile

I will definitely keep you informed...

Thanks!!

SLK.x

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

Just about every school I have ever heard of will buy you a plane ticket or reimburse you upon arrival. If all else seems nice though, I wouldn't let that one thing be a hang up. Ask if they can at least front you half your first months pay to help you get set up.

SLK · Joined: 08 Aug 2010

I know; you're right of course!
I guess it was just that so many people have said hold out for upfront payment - as I'm a "noob" I guess I just didn't want to end up settling for something other than I should have.

I have heard from someone just now who says that is was a lot more common a while back for upfront flights to be part of the general deal, but most institutions have now changed policy to try and curb people "disappearing" once they've bagged their free flight.
Understandable, really!

SLK.x

LDJS · Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Location: Earth

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

OP. You'd better do your homework on this one. As a survivor of 2 years hagwon teaching, I would never take a hagwon job that didn't offer a paid airfare up front.

If you buy your own ticket, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to all the tricks we read about on daves, i.e., school disowning you at the airport because you aren't white / handsome / blue eyed enough - or simply because they have found another (cheaper) teacher.

Further, they may not have the money to pay your airfare (school's role/finances declining), which is a sure indicator that they could be getting a new teacher in the hope of boosting enrollments and therefore staying in business. Eitherway, you may be left without re-imbursement - or a paycheck.

Be warned. There are real risks in coming to Korea without a prepaid flight from your school. To me, it shows a total lack of commitment on the school's part (or worse, they could be going broke).

Good luck.

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

Not only that, but prepare to suddenly be found on the verge of being fired a month or two before they are suppose to reimburse you for your airfare for nit-picky, unquantifiable reasons.

These things happen. If you read Daves a lot it, seems like they happen with every job, which is totally not true. But they do happen. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

Do your homework. Your due diligence will payoff in dividends when you find a great job that you feel 100% good about going into it. Those jobs are out there.