Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tremault]

Hi,
probably not a huge concern but I left Korea due to unreasonable expectations and being isolated by ignorant co-workers alongside various violations of the contract. (lots and lots of reasons)

anyway, When I left, I left a note (it was sunday and i had no contact details) stating that I would be happy to pay them back any costs incurred if they send me a bill. even though not legally obligated to, I was offering to pay them any costs such as rent etc. Because I thought it was the decent thing to do.

Well I got an email from the recruiter, pretty much threatening me.

[Dodge7]

If you are already back home you do not have any monetary obligations to your former employer. His loss.

[busanliving]

So you did a runner after the school paid your airfare here leaving them without a teacher and out of pocket for what you describe as not very significant reasons?

[ewlandon]

seriously you sound like an idiot. You should have done some research before coming over if you feel you're justified in doing a runner because they didn't give you orientation and some plates in your kitchen.


This is not your home country and this is not a vacation with cancelation insurance. Of course they are upset you signed a contract, they flew you out here to fill a position and you dissapeared leaving them high and dry.

[tremault]

Sorry guys, if you were not sure about the full reasons for my leaving, you can simply ask. I wasn't writing the topic about that specifically.
since you asked,
I was asked to start work pretty much the moment I arrived with zero training. I made it clear to them throughout the process that I had not taught children before, that I had not had training in TEFL and that I would be travelling completely alone. The other teachers there gave minimal direction as to where I should be and what I should be doing, left me in an empty room with no idea what to do, no study/training materials, then expected to teach children who came in unannounced with a Korean teacher who doesn't speak English. I had zero support with how to get by in an area where I don't understand the language. I made this clear to them and asked them if they could recommend a place I could go for information, they pretty much brushed me off. At the end of the working day and at the weekend, they knew I didn't know anybody or the language, they knew I was completely alone and they didn't give a crap. The other Native English teacher there pretty much ignored me. I made it clear to them throughout the process that I was new to it, new to Korea, and would have difficulty settling in and they treated me like a piece of equipment.

I didn't really want to go into all of that (along with many other things) because that was not the point of this topic, but please do not assume that I was just some punk cowboy going for a free holiday.

[ewlandon]

I still say you should have done more research everything you are describing is nothing that hsould have shocked you and if you didnt think you could handle those things you probably should have stayed home.

Running is very cowardly, you should pay them the flight money. If you decide not to, either way, lesson learned.

[tremault]

[yfb]

[tremault]

could we remain on topic please?


Dodge7, thanks for your reply, I was thinking that would be the case.

[ajuma]

I've been on Dave's for a long LONG time and this is one of the most ridiculous posts I've ever seen. I checked back over your posts and it seems as if you did a lot of research into how to GET a job, not how to DO the job.

You knew that you were going to be teaching kids. Did you do ANY research at all about teaching kids? You mentioned that there were other foreigners at your school and they gave you "minimal direction". What??? Did you suppose that they were going to come in and show you how to teach?

YOU applied for a teaching position. This ASSUMES that you have at least SOME knowledge of teaching!!!

And what's with the "they didn't provide basic cooking equipment"?? Grow the (expletive deleted!) up!!! You need a pot? Go out and buy one!!!

And as to your foreign co-workers "ignoring" you...did YOU make an effort to talk to them??? I'm not a babysitter. When a new person comes to my school, if they have a specific question, I'm happy to help, but I'm not there to hold their hand!!

My advice: GROW THE (expletive deleted) UP!!!

[JustinC]

A bit harsh to scold him, isn't it? The school knew he had no experience but failed to provide support. He could've been an asset if they'd put in some effort or if the recruiter had helped him find a school which would.

The information about the other NET, I think, is telling. It sounds like a bad environment if no one is willing to help.

OP I think it will blow over, probably the best course of action is putting all of the school's and recruiter's email on junk status and looking forward. There are good schools and bad, in lots of different countries, if this hasn't completely put you off.

[tremault]

Thanks Justin, I appreciate it,
I don't think I'll be looking for teaching positions unless it is freelance.

[ajuma]

Harsh? I don't think so. NETs are generally more than happy to help if help is asked for. If a new teacher comes in with an "entitlement" attitude, it puts people off.

I seriously can't understand doing a runner after only a month or less of "teaching" for the reasons stated. And claiming that there was "no one to contact on a Sunday to talk to" or something like that. Come on!! You left on a Sunday so you wouldn't have to face your boss! Put your big boy pants on and own up to the fact that Korea didn't suit your idea of it and pay back the airfare!!

[Skippy]

Sorry I am shaking my head at you too. The "throw you straight in to the pool/classroom" move is common in Korea. Most of the times any orientation or training is minimal or a farce.

Still some answers are needed.

How far into the contract where you before you ran/quit?
Plus what are you doing now? Working? Hanging around?
How long have your been not working?
Where are you living?

You can say the contract was broken and quit. Anybody can quit at a moments notice. That of course does not say there are no consequences for the action. Problem is you are likely now stuck waiting for the visa to expire. Actually since you are not working, you need to inform immigration now. They will no extradite you, but since you are not working and quit your job you visa is invalid. Unlike Japan you do not hold your visa. Your visa is sponsored by the school. Since you have quit and when immigration finds out, they tell you to leave the county. In couple of weeks, 2 weeks I think.

Also, you can not transfer or move to another job without a letter of release from the previous school. Immigration wants that LOR if you want to transfer. Simply you want the LOR you will then likely have to pay back the plane ticket. The school is not obligated to give you a LOR. Or as I mentioned you have to wait for the visa to expire for the contracted time.

As to if you have to pay back the money. That one to me is always a bit strange. Now, I do not think the recruiter or can can force you, but maybe they can make a complaint or make a legal claim.

To sum up, you left a school for what I and many people consider lousy reasons. You can not get another job here in Korea until your previous visa expires (how long?) or you get a LOR from the previous school. AND ..... since you are now not working, immigration needs to be informed. When they are by you or by your previous school immi will likely give you an exit order. Plus to boot you are now not well off financially. So you will likely have to leave the country and you can not get another job for about 9 or 10 months.

Man you shot yourself in the foot and hit a vein.
Please do provide us more of your current situation.

[some waygug-in]

The situation you described is what 90% of veterans have gone through

at some point in the past. Whining about a cooking pot makes you

look like a complete sissy, by the way.

It sounds like my first job teaching kids.


It took me about 3 months to get a handle on things and about 6 before I

felt like I knew what I was doing.


You obviously had no clue what you were getting yourself into, but most

of us have been through similar or much worse and still stuck it out.


I think you'll have a hard time trying to find any sympathy for your situation.