Korean Job Discussion Forums

pushpin fantasies · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul

Hi, everyone. I��m currently in Brazil and hoping to teach in Asia again. I taught for a year in Korea, and I��m thinking of maybe heading back there. I��m also thinking about going to Shanghai or Japan (Tokyo or Osaka). My problem is that I can only teach wherever I go for about 6 months. I know start-up costs in Japan are very high, so I��m questioning if I��ll be able to save much money in six months there - especially with airfare considered. For Korea, I��ve never come over first to look for a job, and I��m wondering if anyone knows the chances of finding a school that will reimburse me for my airfare there in addition to the visa run. For China, I have an idea of the prospects but, for those who have lived there, how much have you been able to save? I��d really appreciate any help that anyone could provide about any of these questions.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

I've worked in all three.

Japan: you are right, startup costs would not be worth it. Chances of getting someone to sponser a visa would be small too. You would most definitely have to pay your own way their and back. But, if you do go (and I know this is dishonest) and get a visa from one of the Eikaiwas (big companies) you can quit and the visa is still yours for 3 years. But also along these lines, most companies give you housing (not free but the key money is paid). It will be difficult finding somewhere to stay paying no key money.

Korea: you prob already know. Getting a visa will be difficult. You will have to sign a one year and skip out after 6 months (again, not very honest). Startup costs are basically nil though.

China: you can get almost any length contract if you look hard enough. Again visas are tied to the company, but there are easy to change. Most places will give you the housing, but many companies are reimbursing the airfare after one year now, so that won't work. Though a lot of places will pay one-way airfare for 6 month contracts. Shanghai is expensive, I suggest atleast 8000 RMB if you want to save anything. You could try a smaller satellite city. Shoot away with any other questions.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

No one is going to pay for both a flight here after you have arrived AND a visa run.

There are the odd 6 month jobs out there. Not too common, but they do exist.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

What about doing a summer camp instead?

Tiger Beer · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

I was in Buenos Aires for a while and came back to Korea in November. No matter what they tell you initially, no one is giong to pay that airfare. They would tell us they would and then when they actually started looking at the prices, they would back out. So, unless you can get back to the states first, you won't get your airfare paid. If you can, I might suggest stopping in the states for at least afew days to see family/friends. The 40+ hour trip from Buenos Aires to Busan is not a fun one! Also, getting airfare reimbursed and a visa run are probably impossible as the previous poster said, especially on a 6 month contract (if you tell them that). We got our visa at the korean embassy in BA before we left.

pushpin fantasies · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul

Great help. Thanks guys. Right now, I think Japan�s out for me because of the costs, but I�m still deciding between China and Korea. I�m used to Korea and it�s probably the better deal, but I can�t help but want to try something new with China. BTW, am I likely to run into some shady hagwon-style tricks with schools in China or do things tend to be more straightforward there? Thanks again for all the help.