Korean Job Discussion Forums

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

Are there any good charities or NGO's that a non-korean-speaker might volunteer with? In the Seoul/Gyeonggi area?

lastat06513 · Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 6:50 am Post subject:

How about the USO?
After 3 months of continuous volunteer service (4 hours/ week- 20hours/month for 3 months, that is), you are eligible for a base pass.
They always have events and stuff to do, so you can always rack up some points.
give them a call
couldn't hurt

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

Is volunteering at the USO a violation of your visa?

lastat06513 · Posted: Sat May 14, 2005 1:52 pm Post subject:

Well, if that was the case, then doing volunteer work at an orphanage or even doing something related to church would be considered a violation also.
If that was the case, Korea would be a hell on earth

But from understanding, I think anything that generates a profit would be illegal.
But since it is a US-sponsored non-profit organization, then I feel no problem with it.

Any classroom or hogwon lawyers care to interject on the subject?

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

What's the USO? What do they (volunteers) do?

lastat06513 · Posted: Sun May 15, 2005 1:04 am Post subject:

It stands for United Service Organization
for americans, they wree the ones that organized all the concerts and comedy shows for troops during wartime (remember all those snapshots of Bob Hope with the troops? They were taken when he toured with the USO)

Basically, in Korea, they provide tours around Seoul for the soldiers and other events on the bases for the soldiers and their families. They also do events that bridge the gap between the USFK and the local communities.

Every major installation has a USO office there and they are always looking for some kind of volunteer work (from answering telephones to working in the canteen) and te good thing is that it can pay off by getting the pass (free movies, american food, though NO PX/ commissary priviledge- but thats ok).
And it also allows Americans access to the employment center too, so they can look for contractor jobs and such.
I knew a few people that got their start working on base through volunteering.
It doesn't hurt