Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CdnEducator]

I've just been told by a recruiter that the municipal board of education I'm hired for will reimburse my airfare when I arrive at the location in Korea. I'm taken aback because in the past my public education jobs in Korea have sent a ticket to me, I didn't have to purchase one and be reimbursed later.
Can anyone give me feedback as to what is standard, because I think this school board should be sending me a plane ticket.
Thanks for any feedback.

[Derrek]

If they want you, then tell them you won't accept the job unless they pay it first. Be prepared to go elsewhere, too.

Koreans are all about trust... trust them just enough so they can take it and run with it -- screwing you.

[CdnEducator]

Your advice is good, Derrek, but I'm actually hired, the visa permission work is processed, and the next step is for me to take the papers to the consulate to get the final visa stamp.
So now the recruiter is saying, get your plane ticket. My response to the recruiter was, that's not my responsibility and the education officer and recruiter can organize that. I'm pretty turned off at the moment.

[astroboyfan]

[Gord]

Unless the ad says that the airfare was prepaid or you were promised that at some point, then basically you've assumed something that wasn't offered and now you're mad at them for a mistake you made.

So did they offer prepaid airfare, or did you make an assumption?

[Grotto]

I got re-embursed within a week of arriving. Dont sweat it...if you have the money for a ticket or a credit card get the ticket. You will be paid for it upon arrival, or shortly thereafter.

Oh typical Gord advice, unhelpful, antagonistic and useless.

[fidel]

Grotto, Gord wasn't offering any advice rather, I believe, he was trying to clarify the situation. If indeed the op made an assumption he shouldn't get his knickers in a twist. I suggest he asks politely whether they can pay up front as he is short on cash. If they decline, well if he wants the job he will have to pay out of his own pocket. Public schools are far less shady than academies so it's safe to say that the likihood of getting reinbursed is much greater.

Feeling a little bored Grotto and want to get into an argument with Gord today?

[Draven]

Isn't this issue covered in your contract?

[Derrek]

Grotto's probably right.

I am sure you'd get reimbursed within a month, seeing how it's a public institution.

And it's the school responsibility to pay you. Your contract is indeed with the school (not the recruiter), and the airplane pay is indeed included in the contract, right?

You're not working one of those scammy "bank account shared with the school/recruiter" jobs, are you? If so, run far and run fast!

[Gord]

[Derrek]

[Gord]

[No L]

EPIK and GEPIK both reimburse airfare after arrival. They call it an airfare "loan". The loan is then waved if you stay six months. I imagine the new Seoul jobs will be the same way as they are using the same contract.

CdnEducator, Is it a money issue or a trust issue that you would like the airfare paid for upfront? I think you are fairly safe on the trust issue with a public school paying airfare.

[stumptown]

If the recruiter you are working for is indeed the infamous KM/Win education (school/recruiter shared account) company...don't worry, you'll be promised the reimbursement and you'll never see it. If you haven't arrived in Korea, they can't do anything if tell them you're not coming. By

[Derrek]

I would never in a million years sign a contract if they weren't going to reimburse me for the airfare within the first few weeks of my arrival. No freakin' way would I sign an "EPIK or GEPIK" airfare loan contract where they wait 6 months to pay you.

No way.