Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Derrek]

Here's my situation:

I'm finishing my contract at my Hagwon on Friday and flying out Saturday morning. My Immigration/work card says I'm good to stay until 5/30/2003, but doesn't matter since I'm done. Do I just hand in that card to immigration when I go back to the USA?

Also, I am returning in one month to start another job with a different business. They are supposed to be providing me some paperwork to take to my consulate in Chicago while I'm on vacation so I can get a new Visa, etc. Does this all sound correct?

Thanks!

[weatherman]

They will take your card and your new employer should be giving you some paper work to get your visa processed, and then you will have a new card made when you get back. What kind of work is your new job?

[Derrek]

I will be working for an Accent Reduction clinic in Apujeong. I'll be the Media Specialist in charge of operating computer/audio equipment, transcribing speech into phonetics, etc. I hope to help develop some specialized software and materials to go along with it all.

Also, I work with Speech Pathologists, so I'll no doubt learn some new things. We work with our clients one-on-one, for the most part. Upper-scale business folks and some TV/Radio/Acting talent. Not as much teaching as it is teaching them to pronounce words in North American English. No grammar, really. Might also teach some smaller specialized business-oriented classes as well.

It's a newer business, but looks to turn out like a really cool gig. Hours are long (42/wk), but pay is quite good -- almost a million more than my Hagwon, not including the housing increase, which is a nice tidy sum. Apartment is in Kangnam/Yeoksam area, although I might opt for something bigger later in a cheaper area like Itaewon.

[matko]

Sounds like a cool gig, Derrek. Way to go!

Just remember not to date a co worker this time!

[Derrek]

Yeah, will definately avoid doing that!

Can you believe she already has a big diamond ring from the guy? This after part of the reason she gave (the only reason, really) for our breakup was because she didn't want to get serious with a guy for at least 2 or 3 more years. Oh, and btw, my boss talked to me about it when we were discussing my last few days here. He said she told his wife that her sister didn't approve of her dating a foreigner... talk about a face-saving line of bull.

Do I sound angry? Ummm.... trying really hard not to be in my last few days.

[The Great Wall of Whiner]

[Derrek]

Hey Wall.... I'm in Cheju right now. hahahaha. Unfortunately, I didn't pre-plan a thing, so I ended up coming to the oldest, most boring seoul-like part of Jeju City by accident. Oh well, I'll leave in the morning. My room smells like a PC Bang.

Guess what? Remember the ex-gf I've talked about so much? I stopped in to work yesterday for some of my last day (have been a bit ill lately) and decided to give her some rubber stamps and a stamp pad I used for grading the kids sometimes. She pulled me aside and said, "Hey, can I see you again sometime?" I just about went into shock.

Can't wait to find out what this is all about. It makes me wonder if what my boss told me makes sense. He seemed to think that once my contract was over and I left, that she might be interested in dating again. Why the heck would that be?? And why the heck would she put me thru 7 months of basically avoiding me? Makes no sense. None at all. She still has a ring on her finger -- I am assuming from the guy I once saw her at a bus stop with. This is all too weird.

Anyway, I didn't set a time with her... just gave her my phone number and told her my e-mail is the same. Am sort of scared to see her again, actually.

I'll be in Cheju until next Wednesday afternoon. Then I'll be in Seoul until Friday, and will go home then. Basically, I had to extend my stay in Korea because I caught Pneumonia, which is now much better. Maybe we can meet up mid-week?

Derek