Korean Job Discussion Forums

tausha12 · Joined: 12 Jan 2012

I started my job on April 15th and brought 600 dollars to Korea. I know from experience that 600 dollars is more than enough to last a month. I have barely 100 dollars to last until May 17th. I've been sick plus I couldn't find a cheap place for dog/cat food and ended up shelling out a fortune for it! Also, I had to pay for my internet to be installed which I've never had to do before! Oh, and then I had to buy linens for my apartment since I didn't receive any.

My co-teacher told me yesterday that the school figured my pocket money I brought with me was low. I said yes. Then he said the school wanted to give me money. I got excited because 300,000 won would really make it easy for me to wait until May 17th. As soon as he said that, he thought oh, you don't have your ARC or a bank account so we can't give it to you. It's not his say is it? He's not the principal or office manager just a teacher like me. I want the money because I need it! Why can't the school give me the money and I sign some type of receipt saying I received it and they owe me nothing?

I may be able to last until Wednesday or so next week. I get my ARC on Monday and I can start the bank account the same day or go Tuesday. So surely they'd give me the settlement bonus then! I'm not even talking about the repayment for the air ticket which can be added to my actual payday or whatever.

Then the same teacher said if you need money I can loan it to you personally. But I don't want to take money from a co-worker especially when the school owes me money. I am very frustrated at this point.

Otherside · Joined: 06 Sep 2007

Sounds like you are in for a great year. I envy your co-teacher.

Modernist · Joined: 23 Mar 2011 Location: The 90s

tausha12 · Joined: 12 Jan 2012

Thank you Modernist!

I swore I opened my bank account in 2008 with only my passport!!! I'm going today and opening the account! Then I'll tell them tomorrow I need my settlement bonus and payment of my ticket to Korea. I couldn't remember if you needed an ARC or not to open the bank account. I kept my original bank account for 3 years then closed it, went to America and now I'm back!

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

Even if you're in Korea as a tourist, most banks will let you open an account with only a passport.

YTMND · Joined: 16 Jan 2012 Location: You're the man now dog!!

You have to be able to do your banking with a passport only because after you leave, you hand in your ARC. My travel agent had my passport and the bank wouldn't open an account for me even though I had my ARC.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

luckylady · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Location: u.s. of occupied territories

to answer your original q - no, it's not your co-t's call as to when you receive your settlement funds, you should have received them right away - but he is probably relaying the info to the business office for you as well he should.

it's just fine also if you ask who is the school's bus mgr and might you be introduced so you don't have to put your co-t to any more trouble than necessary - just be cordial and polite and chances are it will be appreciated. then you can manage on your own more -

the school will have the funds; as he said, they just are waiting for your bank info - it keeps their records/paper trail to transfer to a bank acc rather than give out cash.

slothrop · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

warmachinenkorea · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

My wife and I got our 300,000 in cash when we arrived in 2008. Never had an issue.

Go open a bank account with your passport.

Weigookin74 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009

I got my 300,000 one month after I arrived. But this was a few years ago. Not sure what happens now. Folks, you really need to bring 1000 bucks with you for future reference. This isn't six years ago. Costs go up.
Open that account and make your case. Good luck.

tausha12 · Joined: 12 Jan 2012

I came to Korea in 2008 with 500 dollars and it was enough. In late 2009 I started with 800 which was way more than I needed. This time around I figured the money I brought would be enough to get me started plus you kind of expect a settlement bonus to be given to you in your first couple of weeks. Not a month even though the contract says a month!

I didn't realize I'd get sick which was my fault for not planning for the unknown. Anyway I went to Nonghyup bank and started my bank account, my co teacher looked over it and said it wouldn't work. So I called the bank and got him convinced it would work, now I'm going to ask for the funds since he offered them this week. Hopefully it'll work!

warmachinenkorea · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

Tyshine · Joined: 04 Apr 2011

I am waiting on my alien registration card, but I already have all the information printed out. My co-teacher knew thatI could get a print out of the alien registration card information and use that as the alien card right away by just paying a 1000 won. Also I got my settlement allowance in cash, but my GF is waiting on hers.

tausha12 · Joined: 12 Jan 2012

I got my bank account. Told the Korean teacher, gave a copy of my flight record with the amount, Now apparently just a bank account won't work. I have to wait until I get my ARC. I get that on monday so maybe tuesday I'll get the money..I'm just waiting to see what other BS they throw at me.

I know I can get the settlement bonus within 30 days but the 15th of May is then end of that time period. Plus I really could use the settlement bonus now for luxury items like food.

Again my co-teacher offered to loan me money until I received my settlement bonus but I kind of feel like if I accepted, I'd have to wait longer to get any of MY money.

So once I get my ARC monday, just firmly ask for my money cause I've gotten the bank account and the ID card? I'm losing my patience!