Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ukon]

I'm applying to the public schools in Korea(gepik, SMOE, etc.) and the applications asks if we've taken any perscription medicine or mental treatment.....I've only taken adderall for ADD. Hardly important, so i figure it will be alright to lie and say no. Since it's confidential info, I won't have immigration some how finding out?

(I'm in the USA)

Lastly, If I wanted to get the perscription filled in korea, but didn't't tell immigration, will it still be valid? If I go to a local doctor there to get a perscription, will my employers find out and come back to me? I don't need it, but Adderall is a useful drug when a lot of stuff needs to be done. I'd like to have it.

[driftingfocus]

You have many, many of the same questions I do, so I'll be watching this post as well.

[Atavistic]

Immigration has nothing to do with what you can get filled. You'll be fine.

DO NOT TELL YOUR EMPLOYER'S WHAT MEDICINE YOU ARE ON. There is NO medical privacy in Korea, and Koreans, let's face it, are often dumb as hell when it comes to anything "different." (I have a very odd medical thing called Raynaud's, and I've only tried to explain to Koreans I really, really love and respect because they are the only three people I knew who wouldn't freak out.)

I don't know if you can get Adderall here (someone elses might be able to chime in), but when you go to the doctor DO NOT go to a friend of your boss, or a clinic your boss recommends. Go elsewhere. Don't blab on to the doctor about where you work, just say it's a hogwon and if they ask for the school's number, claim you don't know it.

If you go to an int'l clinic you'll pay out the nose but may have better confidentiality.

[Zaria32]

For crying out loud, ADD is NOT, NOT, NOT a mental health problem!

[driftingfocus]

[spliff]

I don't think you should lie on any application, it's dishonest.

[driftingfocus]

[DongtanTony]

Omitting the information...if an application requests it...could be defined as falsification.

In that case...most "good" contracts do have an indemnity clause, stating that if you didn't provide the info...you "could" be fired.

Also...Adderall...Prozac...these are very difficult medications to come by in Korea. If you're in Seoul, there are a few professionals in the area...the only way I know this is because they advertise in the English newspapers.

I recently rejected an applicant myself because of their medical history and medications disclosure. I know people will hate to hear that...but I'm not taking the chance on having my school fly somebody to the other side of the planet with the possibility of this individual being a very different person/teacher without their meds...and without the possibility of getting more.

And you're absolutely correct...the DSM IV would disagree...my girlfriend would love to hear you make that reference (psych was her major, crisis work, I've heard a lot about this stuff before).

It's something to think about OP. Are you fine off the meds? Have you gone through periods when you haven't been on them? How did that go? Did you return to your script after taking time off? Are you currently taking the script? You won't be able to get them shipped...do you have enough to get you through a year?

If you're good without the meds...don't disclose...easy as that. But if the meds are a part of you, and they are necessary...if you don't disclose you could get canned later on.........but, they might not hire you with disclosure. Double edged sword.

[Atavistic]

[driftingfocus]

[cruisemonkey]

No body in Korea lies... it's like living in a nation of lawers - 54 million people who misrepresent the truth.

[PGF]

Adderal is an amphetamine. There is a minor problem in this country with amphetamine abuse. If you list it on your application, you will probably be denied because you are using an amphetamine; if they can figure out that adderal is an amphetamine.

If you do not list it on your app and you come here and take a drug test and you've been popping addies to get "more things done", then you will definitely be denied and might face some kind of law enforcement problem.

The best thing is to lay off your power meds, don't put it on your app, try to get them at an international clinic once you've passed your drug test and don't abuse them too much once you get here.

[DongtanTony]

Comparing a female contraceptive to amphetamine based meds...and anti-depressants.

Go ahead OP...try shipping Adderall.

Who's the tool???

[Atavistic]

[Kimchieluver]

If you need babies' feet to function properly, you have bigger problems than working in Korea.