Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hithere19]

Is it possible to fly to Korea for an operation in Seoul, recover for 4-6 weeks, and then begin teaching ESL on a year long contract?

Background: I am a U.S. citizen who is in the process of making a career change, hopefully headed into the field of education. I have needed an operation on my jaw for quite some time, but orthognathic (jaw) surgery is not covered under my health insurance policy in the U.S. Paying out of pocket for this procedure in Korea would be MUCH, MUCH cheaper (like $30k cheaper) than having it done in the U.S.

Would it be feasible for me to travel to Korea as a tourist, have the operation, recover for 4-6 weeks and then begin teaching for a year? Is it easier to get a teaching job in Korea once you're there, or is it better to have something lined up before I leave the U.S.?

Thanks for your help.

[northway]

It's possible, yeah. Americans can do a visa run to Guam if necessary (home soil). Korean employers might be a bit leery of hiring you if you have a bandage on your face though. With experience you definitely have better options if you're in country, but as a newb I doubt it makes much difference.

[hithere19]

[Troglodyte]

I think that the Koreans are now trying to promote medical tourism. I have no doubts that you could treatment here cheaper than in America.

Why do you have to stay in the country for 1 year after the surgery? Would the hospital or clinic normally arrange for a visa for that?

If you have your documents ready and you're in Korea then it's very easy to get a job teaching. Normally for the first E2 visa you have to do an interview at a Korean embassy/consulate in your home country? It's not always enforced. I've see first timers in Japan getting an E2 visa. The other type of visa run is to simply renew your tourist status every 3 months.

[tardisrider]

Generally for medical tourism, I'd recommend going to to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok--I'll bet it would be cheaper than in Korea and I know first hand that it's absolute first-world, five-star level treatment at very inexpensive prices compared to the U.S. at least. Check out bumrungrad.com for info. Of course, I know nothing about your particular procedure, but I'd find it likely that you could have the procedure done in Thailand and have an orthodontist in Korea do the adjustments throughout the year.

In order to get a job in Korea, you'll have to have all your paperwork in order. If it's your first E-2 you may be required to return to the U.S. to have an interview at the particular embassy or consulate assigned to cover the area nearest your U.S. address. Troglodyte says you may be able to avoid this--I have no idea, but I'd be investigating it carefully before taking the gamble.

[northway]

[tardisrider]

Really? I thought that interviews had to be done at designated places, but I could well be wrong. My first visa was long ago, so I'm only going by what I've heard.

[northway]

[tardisrider]

Fair enough.

[Troglodyte]

I think that it just has to be where you're supposedly living. If you have a residence permit in another country (e.g. you were teaching there and your visa hasn't expired yet) they let you do the interview in that country.

I don't think that doing it in Japan the first time is official. I think that they just don't care about it enough to always enforce it. If you ask, they'll probably say "no. can't be done." It's more of a thing to do if you're already here or nearby or out of your home country and want to try it before flying home. But if the OP has a residence permit in another country, (e.g. Thailand) for her medical tourism, she can ask if they'll let her interview at the Korean embassy there.

[youtuber]

This is a terrible idea. Don't do it.