Korean Job Discussion Forums

The evil penguin · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:31 am Post subject: korean paranoia gone mad?

Is this for real (ie- a current trend) or just an overly paranoid and/or pedantic twit in the administration?

Been away from korea for just over 2 years now. Two months remaining on work contract in Australia and my feet are itching to get away from mainstream life again. I should be content- I've completed a masters in Natural Resource Management and Spatial Science, and have the option of renewing my current contract in a well-paid job in a government department. But, i'm bored- extremely bored. The korean experience, no matter how frustrating, is like a pimple begging to be popped just one last time... To cut to the chase: I'm planning on heading back over.

So far I've only set out one 'feeler' to a school that sounded reasonable. Their reply came quick, demanding a formal medical check, police check, scans of the first 6 pages of my passport , original degree (not a copy or replacement- thats gonna be tough, korean immigration lost my original my very first time there..) and the clincher: three copies of my academic transcript.

Admittably I've been out of contact with the situation over there. Cured my daves addition many moons ago. I was aware of the whole Chris O'neil (i think that was the name) incident and figured it would be hyped up in typical korean fashion. I did assume however that it would have blown over a long time back (again in typical korean fashion). So is this something new? The latest trend or just an extreme example of idiocy?

Not sure if can really be bothered to jump through that many hoops....

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

You just got sparkled. I am amazed thou at the scans of the first six pages of passport and the three copies of Transcript. My question is why? Haha. What are applying for three jobs? Yep this is the new job scene in Korea.

It is up to you if the hoops are to big. Also remember do you have a criminal record (theft, assault) if so count you chances of getting a Visa nil. And also other points to think about.

Have you ever had to leave Korea due tto being kicked out. Have you ever over stayed etc. If so then expect to head on down to Sydney for a five minute interview.

Good Luck and hope you make a wise choice.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Personally, I don't know why anybody could be bothered to go get a master's degree and then become a EFL monkey. Get a real job.

losing_touch · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Ulsan - I think!

Formal Medical Check? Well, my understanding is that this is done in Korea. You will submit a form that states you are going to die or something. I merely submitted a copy of the first page of my passport. Am i missing something here? Yes, the paperwork is a pain in the ass. This is for sure. I really wish I was in my home country to sort it out, but it is manageable. It just takes time.

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

To boot the formal med check should be done asap, basically as soon as you arrive. The theory is that you have 90 days after stepping from the plane, but you can't watch yr tv or get broadband without the ARC card.. In Korea one could easily go beserk without abovementioned, so it's the medical on arrival for you.

And wasn't it you with all the liver complaints?.

One set of transcripts, only face page of passport, and for the sake of convenience send original degree.

Are you sure that you're hooked up with the right job, with them already out with all that guff?

Zaria32 · Joined: 04 Dec 2007

About your diploma...

Immigration didn't lose it-they just look at it and hand it back. The school you were working for lost it.

A replacement diploma, as opposed to your original diploma? How can they tell the difference? When I went to Korea I hadn't seen my original diploma in 30 years...got a replacement, no problem.

Don't send any documents, except scans, to anyone until you have a signed contract.

The evil penguin · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:21 am Post subject:

Kwangjuchicken · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 3:45 am Post subject: Re: korean paranoia gone mad?

Roch · Joined: 24 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

Nah, the hateful morons always get to be in charge in the R.O.K.

In my opinion, you should keep your job because South Korea is, in my opinion, less friendly than when you lived here.

Sincerely,

R

Julius · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Sense would dictate that... you have a brand new MA, and nows the time to get a real job in Australia.

If U fail to score a proper job within a year or so of graduating, your qualification depreciates to nothing.

Quack Addict · Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Location: Seoul

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

There certainly are a crapload of hoops to jump through.

Perhaps I can suggest a compromise? If you could swing getting a month of holiday a year, why not come over and teach a summer camp (or winter camp) during those holidays? I am sure after a month here you will realize that you were glad to keep your full-time well paying job.

9-5 regular jobs might be boring, but nothing bores me more than teaching EFL especially simple stuff like basic grammar and vocabulary.