Korean Job Discussion Forums

[aerialsimulacrum]

I'm from the US. I applied to YBM and was told in my phone interview by the administrator, a foreigner, that an original degree was required for visa processing. I said I already had the notarized/apostilled copy and this should be good enough, but he simply repeated himself.

The visa process checklist they sent me over email says either an original or a copy "notarized by a Korean consulate" (which, for Americans, now only means getting the apostille) can be accepted.

Both the person I spoke to and the new teacher orientation document I've received promise that the degree will be returned untouched when I arrive.

One card I can play in my favor is the rush factor, because I want to start in early September and so they will have to floor it if they want me on board by then. Maybe this requirement will just get ignored.

There is also the risk they'll just refuse to hire me without the original degree, which I am prepared to cope with.

Please answer the poll question.

Another question: Will I really need to bring the original degree with me to Korea if I show up with the E2 visa in my passport?

I refuse to submit this document to the threat of defacement if at all possible - it is from one of America's top party schools!

[wylies99]

You should have many other employment opportunities in Korea. Just pass on this one and find something else.

Please, understand, that YOU are the one in the "driver's seat" with a genuine diploma. Have you considered public schools? You can get paid, learn about Korea, and you can search for higher paying jobs.


The online application for GEPIK
http://gepik.ken.go.kr/contents/m_online_application_eng/main_regist.asp

[soviet_man]

I have worked for YBM and there are many problems with the company.

But remarkably enough, I do have 99% confidence that they will indeed return your degree as stated. I am speaking from personal experience - they did return mine as stated.

If you are going to pass an offer at YBM, do so because of the other failings of the company, but not for something as piddling as returning a degree.

Make no mistake, I dislike the company - but in fairness I was always paid on time and they were not too bad with administrative issues, at least at my former branch. [/i]

[aerialsimulacrum]

Wylies, you're correct, and that is why I mentioned the pressure I can apply by wanting to start so soon. They may just give up and let me in anyway.

Also, I already made the mistake of not "going for the gold" and applied for a public HS position (with GEPIK), even though I only want to teach adults, and what's more, I did that through a recruiter. That ended badly - first the co-teacher screwed up on confirming my arrival date and I had to pay for the airline ticket change on my own, and afterward the principal of the school refused to hire me!

Then all of a sudden my recruiter said that she has some middle school jobs conveniently lined up and I should take one of those. She has been notified that her services are no longer needed. Either she didn't advocate for me like she's supposed to or she tried to pull something. Or both.

There is the option of applying directly to the PS program, but as I said, I don't want to teach children.

I've purchased my plane ticket and don't feel like flying out again for a visa run once I get to Korea. I want the visa taken care of beforehand.

[aerialsimulacrum]

Thanks, soviet man. That reassures me. If the problems will be run of the mill issues as opposed to theft (and, with respect, that's what holding my degree is), I can handle that better.

Write me privately about your experiences, if you like.

[wylies99]

[Ms.G]

I didn't send the original degree nor did I take my degree with me to Korea when I got my YBM job. I figured if I need it that badly at some point in the future, someone can always send it to me. An apostilled one should be fine.

[NatalieIlsan]

I sent my original degree to YBM and I got it back fine. (I did have to ask for it.)
Before I sent it, I looked at my university's website and they will give students another copy of a diploma for $10.00.
So check at your university, it might not be so hard to get another copy if yours is lost.

[Illysook]

I passed on a YBM job after they told me that I would have to eat lunch with 5 year olds every day and just seemed stingy in general...not just in pay, but that too. I figured that if another hagwon were to treat me similarly, at least it would pay better.

[Kikomom]

I found it very odd that some schools wanted the actual diploma while others asked for the notarized/apostilled copy. Why was that?

The only thing I could think of was "the school plans to hold your degree hostage" in the sense that they were assuring themselves that you would not be accepting a position anywhere else.

Of course I also had some other thoughts of the 'holding hostage' variety. But those were better left unspoken as I felt that ESL teaching in Korea is such a great opportunity to learn the ways of the world.

[phillyb]

you realize you get paid for that lunch you eat with the 5 year olds, right? that is considered teaching hours

[aerialsimulacrum]

[lizbit17]

I'll be starting with a YBM school in September, and the guy I was dealing with said I could send either my original diploma or a notarized copy. He didn't insist one way or the other.

Is this with a franchise school, or a company-owned school?

[spliff]

[aerialsimulacrum]