Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kmccoll]

Hello!
I have been living and working in a small city for the last 5 months, on a one year working visa for a kindergarten and elementary hogwan. I really love being here, and am definitely planning to stay for another year, or longer. I am a 24 year old, female Canadian, with a BFA, so not the most relevant experience in teaching, but am seriously considering taking my CELTA once my contract finishes, in September. I think a CELTA would improve my chances of getting into a university position, or simply a better contract. My question is regarding the situation of my visa. When I finish my contract, is it best to have another job already lined up, so that my visa is extended, and just have it start a month or so later (the CELTA takes about a month to complete) or should I wait until my CELTA is completed, then look for a job, and having the CELTA, possibly improving my contract? My concern is having to go through that terribly long and stressful (for me it was) Visa process again!
Thank you for your help!!!

[zombiedog]

I was in a similar situation. I was able to work it out with my hagwon where I could go take the CELTA and come back and teach for another year. I just re-signed my contract and got my new visa before I left. Many if not most hagwons don't want to go a month without a teacher, but you might be able to find a sub while you're gone. One down side is that you may loose your bonus for the second year (as I did) because you'll only be teaching 11 months. But if it works at least you'll have a job when you're done.

[ttompatz]

D-10.

finish your contract.
Switch to a D-10 (looking for work).
Do your CELTA.
Find a job.
Switch back to an E2.

the paperwork is no different than a simple (other than the extra 50k won each way for the) transfer and the d10 gives you up to 6 months to find that new job.

.

[Winterkalte]

I had a somewhat similar plan. I'm not sure if this will work.

I'm going to finish my contract. Turn in my ARC. Go to Thailand and take the CELTA course there. While I'm there, I will also look for a job that is available when the course is over, or have one already set up before I leave for Thailand. Then just fly back to Korea and have my boss deal with Visa/ARC issue. I've always had my Visa renewed in Korea without having to do a Visa run.

Is this possible? Couldn't I just go to Korea as a tourist, look for a job, and then apply for the visa in country? Or am I going to have to apply for the Visa in Thailand at the Korean Embassy?

[Skippy]