Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dreaming_saturn]

Ok, so it's 10 days before I fly out to Korea.

This morning I go and pick up my Visa, no problems there, I'm starting to feel a bit jittery but excited to go. Looks like everything is legal.

I get home and call up the aeroflot officed to ask about my ticket, it's been booked for about a month for me, school was to pay it in advance as stated on the contract but last time I checked it was reserved and not paid for, so I ask again just to see where and when I need to pick it up. Ticket is still not paid for.

I have been in touch with the director and a former teacher via email, I email them both and say what's up, and get a reply from the director along the lines of - his credit card will not be accepted by the company (Aeroflot, which may actually be possible as it's a no-frills russian deal?) and asks if I can pay the ticket myself. He will transfer the money to my account or pay me back when I get there. He tells me "You can trust me" - something that usually if someone says that, I don't trust them.

So, I had quite a good feeling about the school when I talked to the teacher before, but have since found out that the two teachers that I had been speaking to have left or are leaving this month, so starting to get a bit nervous.

So, how loud are these warning bells? Should I just go and see how it is, and bail and find myself a new job if it doesn't work out? I now have the opportunity of avoiding the falling-apart Aeroflot planes, I guess, but I'm now wondering if this sort of thing happens often?

I'm not a newbie and have taught in Asia before so worst case scenario I'd go hunting another job, I guess.

Any feedback would be great.

[stakay]

[dreaming_saturn]

[poet13]

I think if they really want you, they will figure out how to pay for the ticket....

[stakay]

Look if you really want to work at this place, why don't you just say the same thing back to them 'oh no, MY credit card won't work with Aerofot either"

There are so many ways to pay for a flight these days and if your school uses the credit card thing as an excuse not to pay then you've got a pretty darn good reason to be suspicious.

Don't pay for the flight and see what happens. It's in your contract for them to pay anyway so if they're breaking the contract already.... well.. you know what's going to happen down the track don't you?

An original degree can be replaced, a hassle yes, but worth it.

[soviet_man]

Aeroflot has an office in Seoul (in Samseong-dong in the COEX mall). So there is no reason why he can't buy a ticket in Korea himself (either cash or credit card).

Don't pay for the ticket yourself.

Also Aeroflot has only 3 flights a week to Seoul (SU599/SU600) and seats can be difficult to get hold of, so payment should be made ASAP to avoid getting bumped off those flights.

[dreaming_saturn]

Thanks for the feedback - you guys are fast!

I've sent a polite note saying paying for the ticket would be difficult and suggested another flight with a different company to appear helpful.

poet13, You're right, if they want me, they'll find a way.

But hey, now that I have a visa from one school am I in a bad situation in regard to finding another job?

[Hotpants]

I think it's quite cheeky for the employer who formerly said that they would pay for your ticket to go back on their decision. Such practice is unprofessional, and likewise from this first encounter, I would get the impression that his whole company is too.

[some waygug-in]

A dumb question....but...why are they insisting upon using Aeroflot?

Something seems to smell of fish to me.

[dreaming_saturn]

[ttompatz]

[Grotto]

It sounds like typical Korean laziness to me.....your boss will come through in the final hour. Its the way things are done in Korea

[Milwaukiedave]

I agree, don't pay for the ticket. If you have doubts about the job, then pull out now. Listen to your gut instinct.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Don't pay for your ticket. Don't come over here thinking you can just jump ship because now that you have the visa you will be bound to your current director. Just say that you can't pay for it yourself and wait for them to come through.

[dreaming_saturn]