Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

Hello, all-

As I've written here before, I'll be studying in Sogang's language program for 3 months this summer, 4 hours a day. I got a graduate fellowship for study but it's not a whole lot of money, so I'll need to be frugal about where I live, my food and entertainment choices, etc.

I've been talking with Korean friends who are studying English in the U.S., and all of them say, "Oh, you'll only be studying 4 hours a day, you'll be really bored, you should take some private students to make some extra money." I mention that this would appear to be illegal and they say it's not a big deal.

What do people here think? I wouldn't want to have too many students because I will need time to study, and I want time to enjoy Korea. But on the other hand, having some extra spending money or traveling money would be nice. When I was studying in China a friend quit her very part-time job at a Beijing kindergarten, and I stepped in to teach only 4 hours a week. My entire two week trip to southern China was funded by the $450 I made doing this little gig!

BUT I don't want to do anything that would make the authorities unhappy with me. Any tips on how to go about doing this? Or: are there any ways to make extra money that would be legal (teaching on Sogang's campus, for example)?

Thanks!

[turtlepi1]

If you weren't posting on a message board asking I would tell you to go for it, but you already proved you don't have the number one skill to be successful with privates...(KEEPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT ALWAYS!!!)

(just kidding mostly...)

You would be breaking the law. Jaywalking is also breaking the law. Mind you they won't deport you for jaywalking. Someone will come along and tell you that Koreans will get paid to report you. Maybe true, maybe not, but it is the "whitey" that isn't your friend. All cuddly with you and then you have a falling out like grotto and joe, and the next thing you are getting deported. (they had the falling out, but no privates or deportation in their case. Same thing with some pot smoking hippy here..it was the foreigner that ratted him out)

ANYWAY...I believe the quote goes something like...

"Nobody here does privates! Privates are illegal"
Or something of the sort.


As for doing it legally at the university I think getting a part time work/student visa is a pain and requires a certain amount to time at the college first. Someone will be along to fill in that blank for you. (or to correct me if I am wrong)

[taobenli]

Yes, I realized the irony of posting asking for advice to do something legally questionable as I was posting. I certainly didn't tell anyone that I was teaching privately when I was in China. I know the number one rule is to keep one's mouth shut! But I figured that's since I'm not using my real name here....

Anyway, I definitely don't want to risk being deported! Just wondering if there was any safe way to make a little extra money...I feel very fortunate to have gotten a fellowship to study, but just a little concerned that it won't go far enough...

[Swiss James]

I'm not sure about the student visa, but I suspect the rules are the same as those people on the teaching visa. If you get caught they WILL deport you, simple as that.

I work at the airport and see people in handcuffs being shepherded out of the country every day. It does happen.

[Apple Scruff]

Out of curiosity, what do you do at the airport, SJ?

[Gideon]

Just do it... who cares.. if its a question of ethics.. well thats up for u to decide.. but just be carefull... and yes.. keep you mouth shut about it..

cheers..

[Zyzyfer]

You might want to check with an official source. I am under the impression that students are allowed to do privates. And yea, you may want a couple of classes to keep you entertaining or give you a little bit of comfort money. I wouldn't advise you to go overboard with it, though, if your studies are more important to you.

[Swiss James]

[Homer]

For someone on a graduate fellowship that he or she finds very valuable, teaching privates means putting that on the line for a bit of extra cash.

You might not get caught. If you do, you get deported and its bye bye fellowship program.

Up to you to weigh the risk vs the reward.

[taobenli]

I think you're right...my studies are much more important to me. I will be studying pretty hard so I don't think I'll get too bored. Zyzyfer, what official sources would you recommend checking? If there's a legal way for me to make some extra cash, I will do it. If not, it's not worth the risk to me.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[taobenli]

Hmmm...what about these writing/editing from home things (that I could just as easily do in the U.S.)? Like the one just posted on the job board by some company called Neungyule? Any one any of these sorts of jobs? How do they work?

[The Man known as The Man]

You won't be making any money doing privates.


Privates are illegal.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Ryst Helmut]