Korean Job Discussion Forums

elliemk · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Sparkling Korea!

Hi everyone,

A couple of people wanted explanations as to why I am leaving Korea early. I have posted the reason on this thread: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?p=1716279#1716279[/code]

I may hold the record for changing jobs here - four in 10 months. All four of them wound up screwing me out of money.

Here's the list:

Yale Academy in Ulsan - refused to pay for national health insurance and pension as promised in my contract, wouldn't even put privacy curtains up in my apartment (clear glass windows)
ILC in Changwon - micro-managed every minute of teaching, always checking up on teachers - they are now out of business, I understand
ELC Samsang-dong, Ulsan - fired me after I broke one ankle and sprained another - had only been there three days
ELC Yangsan - story on url above.

So, Korea, you betrayed me. I sold everything I owned to come here last August after waiting for ten years to come back.

I have no qualms or bad feelings about Koreans. I love the wonderful Koreans I have met (strangers and strangers who became friends). However, in terms of hakwon directors, I have had nothing but bad luck in this department.

I know I made mistakes here. The worst one was not finding out more about visas when I left the Changwon job. But I tried my best to do a good job for all these people.

Thanks to all of you who have supported me over the months on these forums. I have appreciated it more than you'll know.

So, I'm off to California for three weeks and then to Arizona for my new job. I may come back to Asia to teach, but it certainly won't be Korea.

Bye, all!

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Wow, interesting. What's your new job in Arizona if you don't mind me asking. Just curious.

Enjoyed your posts. Enjoy Ariz!

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

Here's to you Ellie!! Best of luck!!

elliemk · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Sparkling Korea!

My new job is tutoring four kids. The family is providing a place to stay, a car to drive, health insurance, food costs and a salary. I'm looking forward to it, though I don't relish the thought of 100+ degree temperatures for four months a year! I'll be able to save nearly all my salary, so that is good!

ED209 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006

Sure that's Arizona and not Nigeria?

elliemk · Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Location: Sparkling Korea!

Yep, Arizona. But it's horrifically hot in California where my mom lives as well. It never used to get over 75 in the summer. The temps will be in the 90's this week. And the same in Lake Tahoe and the lower Sierras, where I'll be trout fishing for a week before going to Arizona!

Stormy · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Location: Here & there

Wow you certainly did have shitty luck here. Hope your future is a lot brighter! Best of luck.

R-Seoul · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Location: your place

Ronald · Joined: 14 Feb 2007

Those are typical Hakwon issues. He should have learned the first time and switched to a public school gig. Why risk the same treatment over and over again?

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

delete

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

I think it is possible, especially if you are able to make up words like "skepticist", must say that's a new one on me.

citizen erased · Joined: 06 Apr 2008

saw6436 · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon, ROK

Thud. (The other shoe just dropped).

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Yes, do watch out for Yale academies. They tend not to pay health insurance, pensions or taxes! Shocked

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

Your 3rd job was ELC and it didnt go well..yet you went with ELC again on the 4th job? No offense...I think after the 1st or even 2nd hell of a hagwon experience, I and most ppl would have either called it quits and go home or switch to a safe PS job.

Regarding the Arizona gig, if it seems to good to be true...it just might be. All I can say is do your homework and check that place out. Make sure there's no possible way you will or can get burned.