Korean Job Discussion Forums

[oatmeal]

The first couple years were glorious, the last couple years it's been
just going downhill since. There are things I still love about the job
and my school, but overall, I have found that I am no longer happy and everyday I'm feeling angry, frustrated, agitated, you get the picture.
This isn't an overnight decision, but one I have been thinking about for years now.

I don't think it's good for me to be angry/unhappy everyday. I also feel bad for the kids that I'm not in a good mood, therefore do not give it my best like I used to, and instead I'm finding I just want to whisk through everything and shortchanging their english education. I'm just at a point where I need to have a break. I'm not sure I can last until the end of the contract which is february, but I'm trying really hard to.

So my question is what happens if I decide to quit at the end of august?
Do I have to return some money (ie. the contract renewal bonus, the airfare bonus)? What happens to my severance and pension? Are those also cut in half or do they penalize you and take the entire year's pension/severance away?

Will I still be able to get my severance owing to me for the past 3 years and my pension for the past 5 years? Do I need to leave the country to get my pension or can I get it after I quit the school job?

Is anyone interested in possibly replacing me or swapping jobs? I was thinking trying to just transfer/swap with someone for just 6 months so that at least I can still finish out the contract, just in a different school. That would be ideal for me rather than to actually quit completely. That might also look bad on my resume or for future school jobs.

I need some advice, and I need to know what happens to my finances if I quit midway or if I can find a transfer?

[Porksta]

Severance is prorated for the entire time you have worked, assuming you haven't gotten it early at any point during your employment. Pension cannot be touched, you get the full amount but you have to leave Korea to claim it. I am also assuming you are American. As for the contract renewal bonus and swapping jobs, it sounds like you are in public school so I can't help you there. I am sure your contract says something about it.

[PRagic]

It's 6 more months. Do the time, collect your severance, and head for a chill area in SE Asia to recharge your batteries and figure out your options. You'll REALLY need it by then, so it'll be all the more satisfying.

Why deal with the extra questions and headaches involved by bailing a few months early.

[isitts]

[Fallacy]

[wooden nickels]

[oatmeal]

thanks for your feedback. I do agree with you all, and my head knows it's probably the better thing to do (to stick it out for 6 more months), but man it's really really tough..I'm on the verge of snapping everyday and it really sucks. I hate feeling like this and I'm going downhill fast. I've always considered the job really easy and because I enjoy what I do, it's never been a burden in that respect. But my emotional state and mind is really bad and I realize that at some point, money and a job is not always worth it if you are losing your health and your happiness. I will try to stick it out. I just don't know if I can which is why I'm trying to prepare for the worst.

[PRagic]

You've recognized that it's an uphill battle, and you're sure not the first to be mired in angst.

Try just taking it a day at a time, a week at a time. Live for the weekends, and make something of them. Live for the 4 day long weekends and the holidays. In the scope of your existance, 6 months will be the blink of an eye.

IF you're getting paid, and IF you have a decent enough place to live, I still recommend sticking it out.

Everyone's breaking point is different, though, and we're all just armchair coaching at this point. Only you can decide when you've had enough.

[Fallacy]

After reading the OP's follow-up post, now I am not so sure. In the initial post, the OP posed questions about leaving with a focus on money:

[wooden nickels]