Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Dances With Wolves]

I have been here roughly 3 weeks, and well I have a couple questions about pay. First, when I arrived at my school they did not have a place available for me, so they put me up in a hotel, and I paid for it. I have asked to be reimbursed for this money (130,000 won) and my school says that it should be part of my 300,000 settlement allowance. Is this standard procedure or should I be reimbursed? Second I set up a bank account with Busan National Bank and I have a ATM card. Can I check my balance at any bank in Busan that is not Busan National Bank, like KEB for example? Thanks in advance for any information. If it matters I work at a public school through EPIK.

[Tobias]

That 130K is part of the 300K. That's what a 'settlement allowance' is. It's bank you use to get settled in. Sounds like they were pretty generous, and I know I wouldn't be complaining.

Yes, you can check your bank balance at another bank, but the ATM you use must have an 'English' key you can first push. It's this or you bring along a translator.

[pootle]

It's my understanding that your accommodation is free from the minute you walk out of the airport and make contact with your school. If they made you stay in a hotel because they were not prepared for you then that is their problem, not yours, so the hotel bill should be paid by the school or by EPIK and should not come out of your settlement allowance.

Get in touch with your EPIK contact and see what they say. the settlement allowance is supposed to be for household goods and other things you need to set up home when you get here. I spent my first week at an education official's house because my apartment wasn't ready - they have to take responsibility for housing you. I'm also with the EPIK programme.

BTW, there is a clause in your EPIK contract that states the bare minimum of appliances and other household goods the school must provide you with. Check it and make sure your school doesn't try to screw you on that issue too.

[sojourner1]

Pootle is right. They didn't have an apartment for either, but they did pay for a motel room for the 1st week and a half. I was glad to get out of that love motel due to all the people walking around all night noise as well as loud parties.

The cost did NOT come out of my 300,000 settlement allowance which I spent on things like laundry detergent, soap, towels, mop, bleach, and other things.

[ttompatz]

The hotel should NOT come out of your 300k settlement.

That money is for the things that they don't provide (in the contract list) and you need for setting up your apartment (like bedding).

Also, you should have received that 300k within the 1st week of arriving at your school.

If they want to take the hotel costs from your 300k, complain to your EPIK liaison or through NIIED.

This is one fight you WANT to pick with your new school.

.

[Tobias]

delete

[Ut videam]

Not to pile on, but ttompatz is absolutely right, and Tobias is dead wrong.

The school is contractually obligated to provide accommodation. If the apartment isn't ready, it's the school's responsibility to provide and pay for temporary lodging.

The school should not touch any part of the (contractually specified) 300,000 won settlement allowance, which is available to the teacher to use at his/her discretion to purchase things he/she needs to get settled.

[Dances With Wolves]

So my co-teacher informs me today that the 130,000 won I spent on a 3 night hotel stay when I first arrived, because my apartment was not ready, will not be reimbursed. My question is how far should i take this and what should my next course of action be? As always thanks in advance.

[poet13]

Take it to the EPIK coordinator. As ttompatz said, this is a fight you need to deal with. Not just because it's 130,000 won, but because if your relationship starts with you bending over and holding your butt cheeks open, it will continue to get worse....a lot worse. And before anyone says, "How bad could it get?", when it comes to cheating people out of money and all around idiocy, Koreans put Edgar Allen Poe's and Stephen King's combined imaginations to shame.

That said though, a question. Are you the first foreigner they have dealt with? If so, go gentle on them. They may just be misinterpreting the rules. If you're not, F-em, fry 'em hot and hard.

[Dances With Wolves]

Yes i am the first foreigner at my school, and generally i am pleased with my situtation. With that said i do not want to feel like i am "spreading my cheeks" as you stated. I just want to be fair as i expect them to be fair to me. Can anyone else 2nd what poet is saying?

[xCustomx]

[nate2008]

Just contact your EPIK advisor, try talking to Jean Lim and see what she says. Also, what city are you in?

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

100% talk to your contact at EPIK. They 300K they gave you is NOT for a hotel. Its for you to buy your first groceries, anything extra you need in your apartment.

The fact they didnt have a place ready is THEIR problem not yours and you shouldnt be expected to pay for it.

Dont let this slide, its 130K man, thats a nice piece of money

[KYC]

[Dances With Wolves]

Thanks for all the reponses, i am in Busan fyi.