Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Eglayzer]

I am 3 months into my third contract in Korea. I finished out my first two and had no major problems. This new school I am at has screwed me a lot since day one. I was told I would be living in a very nice part of Seoul but was instead placed in the backwoods (think nearly 30 minutes to walk to a subway station). I was also told I would be 20-30 minutes from my school by bus, but am actually more like 1 hour. I have very little free time to myself because of the long commutes. There is absolutely nothing near my house other than a GS25 so grocery shopping and other simple errands take forever, not to mention trying to have a social life. I have explained all of this to my boss and without going into too much detail they subtly told me to shove it and "accept it."

I don't have any ethical or moral qualms about screwing them over because I myself was lied to about what my living situation would be. However, I do want to return to Korea at some later date for either work or possible professional research in a different field (not teaching English). I don't want to cause any legals problems that would harm my chances of obtaining a visa for work or tourism in the future. I have read some places that if you pull a runner (don't tell your boss ahead of time) then you won't be able to get a contract again until after your original counteracts expiration date. Is this right? Is that the only thing I have to worry about because I am fine not coming back for 9 months. I just don't want permanent problems.

Please advise!

[ttompatz]

[koreatimes]

Your worries were true before, but now it's different. Get your last pay and leave at your convenience.

The only real downside to leaving is that you have to get all new documents again if you want to teach. In your case, it won't matter.

Personally, I wouldn't put up with the scenario you described. On one side, not having a store nearby is not a big deal. You just go on weekends and get what you want. However, if they don't put me directly near the school (like 5-10 minute walking distance) I will leave too.

My current school in China changed school locations. I bitched and complained that this was not what I agreed to, and they have changed the schedule so I get either 4 day work weeks or some half days in exchange for commuting.

I feel real sorry for the students because at lunch time, they all have to take buses or ride their bicycles home and come back (about 1500 at the school). I wonder how they will react during the coldest times in winter.

[Eglayzer]

I agree with you in principle but I would have never considered taking this job (long hours, less pay than my last job, the school is not located near a subway station) if it were not for the excellent location that was described to me about where I would be living. A long commute I can deal with if I have something good to come home to. I don't because I was lied to. I also do not enjoy the style of teaching (baby sitting) that my school preaches. At least at my old schools I actually got to teach English and feel proud of my work at the end of the day. Not here.

[ontheway]

[Eglayzer]

My contract does not say anything about air fair reimbursement. There is a line that says the employer may withhold 100,000 won for three months for a total of 300,000 won to pay for air fair, visa fee, ect... They never withheld that amount. so...

[Juregen]

[Eglayzer]

I cant get a new contract because I wont have time to finish it. My current contrac runs until August of 2012 at which time I will be starting my PhD back in the USA. If I were to get a new contract then I would not be able to finish it. I dislike my living and working situation enough to just go back to the US for 9 months and find whatever job I can get to pay the bills until August when school starts for me. I just dont want this decision to effect my ability to return to Korea for any reason.

[cincynate]

As long as you don't commit any crimes, you are always welcome back in Korea as far as immigration is concerned. Just make sure you hand in your ARC card when you go through immigration. You can actually leave and come back the next day on a tourist visa if you want.