Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

I'm a bit annoyed at a national homestay organization that I have been e-mailing back and forth yet for about a month. I will be staying in a smaller city for a month beginning next weekend and decided that a homestay will be cheaper and also less isolating than staying in a hotel or the university guesthouse. (Before anyone tells me to NEVER EVER do a homestay, I should make it clear that I already have done a homestay for 3 months, and while I wouldn't want to do one for that long again, it was overall a positive experience and I can handle another month in a family's house).

I haven't made the payment for my month-long homestay yet and have been intending to go in on a Saturday morning when the office is open, as I can't make it out during the week. The office is very far away from my suburban residence and I couldn't make it out today either. They gave me a link to make the payment online, but my card was not accepted by the system. (I've never had a problem with it elsewhere in Korea). So I e-mailed them and they said to wire them the money. But I don't have a Korean bank account and this seems like even more of a pain- plus I feel like wiring the money is even less secure than paying by debit card.

What annoys me even more is that the payment link they gave me was through paypal, even though I don't have a paypal account. If I paid this way (if my card wasn't rejected) then I would have been hit with a $26 paypal fee (on top of the $30 placement fee they charge). PLUS, when I went to check my account, Paypal had already taken out $1 US, even though the transaction wasn't completed. WTF?

I just want to have my card charged and be done with this. Why does this have to be so hard?

[taobenli]

Bump....

I do realize my post was rather convoluted- but I really am curious. Why should it be so hard to use a debit/check card with this homestay place when I've had no problems anywhere else in the U.S. and Korea? And if they're going to make me do a wire transfer, how can I do this considering that my bank is in the U.S.? Can I just do a transfer online with my online banking?

[Ruraljuror]

I feel stupid bumping this, but is there a word that means the direct opposite of "incredibly fascinating"? Cuz this post is like a perfect example of that word. Whatever that word is.

[taobenli]

Oh, come on. I said I REALIZE that it is not an interesting post. But it is a legitimate question. As this board is for people looking for information on living in Korea, not all posts can be incredibly fascinating.

I suppose I could change the title to "I beat up an adjumma on the subway today" or "Why are K-chicks' elbows so yucky?" but that would be deceptive.

[seoulteacher]

[toki]

[wylies99]

Maybe no one can answer your question, OP, because no one else has done a "home stay."
I wouldn't do it, but whatever "floats your boat."

Can you tell everyone how it works?

[taobenli]

Okay, but my question is not about the homestay. I'll break it down:

1) Why do you think this national organization wouldn't take my card, when it has worked fine for me everywhere else? Does this seem strange to anyone?

2) How can I send a wire transfer via Western Union if I don't have a Korean bank account?

3) If I opt to send a wire transfer, then I shouldn't still be charged for a "paypal fee," correct? Extra fees like a paypal fee really annoy me (and I know a fair number of people who have been victims of paypal scams).

I'm not an English teacher, I have done a homestay before, and believe me, it works for my situation. I am concerned about these financial logistics, though, as they seem unnecessarily complex.

And by the way, I'm a she.

[moosehead]

hey OP - why aren't you asking these questions to the people who are telling you to wire the money?

and yes, it's correct, there isn't much discussion on here about homestays

[tomwaits]

Wiring money is easy and safe (and cheap) Just use the bank they tell you.

I agree with you on homestay----good exp but wouldn't do it again for too long.