Korean Job Discussion Forums

[waseige1]

I am coming in February to start teaching with EPIK.

I am concerned about the physical. It might be paranoia but I don�t like the idea of spending $1500 on airfare only to fail for some reason and get sent home.

For those of you that have been through the process (hopefully recently), can you tell me about the physical.

When did you get it done? Did you get it done during orientation?

I read a post on this website where someone went to a �friendly doctor� that just marked everything OK without testing anything. Is this common.

Please let me know your experiences.
Thanks.

[EricaSmile84]

You get it done when you move into your apartment. Likely, your co-teacher will bring you. In my case, my vice-principal's daughter brought me... which was strange. They test for drugs and HIV-- so there is a blood and urine test. In my case, I was given a sight, hearing and color lindness test along with a chest x-ray, height and weight measurements. Because I was dealing with imbeciles, I had to go back for another blood/urine test because they "didn't hear" us when we told them I needed a drug/HIV test. So basically I had to do it again. And pay again.

I've never heard of anyone failing the physical unless you do drugs. If they find traces, then you'll probably be sent home. If you have HIV, I don't know what will happen but I imagine everyone at your school will eventually find out (like by the end of the day) and treat you like a leper.

Also, 2 friends didn't get the physical until a few months into their stay... no idea why. And I've heard complaints from others about having to do a 2nd and 3rd physical later in the year.

Hope this helps.

[oder_etwas]

The physical is ridiculously quick and simple. You will do it after you arrive, probably during a school day with your co-teacher. It's a simple blood test, hearing test, chest x-ray, and VERY quick look at your teeth (this part literally took less than a minute once I actually sat down).

You have no reason to worry, unless you have some sort of contagious disease.

[EzeWong]

What others said, The only reasons for worry is if you've done weed recently or have somethign serious like TB or Aids. I understand your fear as I thought... "what if they find out I have cancer or something?"

Don't worry. It's like regular checkup, they take your height, blood pressure, it's more like a sports physical than anything.

I'd just like to add ask to see if you can find out your blood type (if you don't already know it)

Knowing your blood type comes in handy for small talk here...

[Mint]

I had a urine and blood analysis, a vision and hearing and lung capacity test, and an x-ray. I also had to fill out a form that described how many bottle of soju I drink a week [umm, none, as it was my second day in Korea ] Basically they will test you, at minimum, for contagious diseases and illicit substances, but it seems the other tests vary from place to place. You will have to pay for the test.