Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chopstix]

Hi there,
I seriously need help. My situation is this : I come from South
Africa. I graduated from a computer college with a diploma in computer
programming. Recently I have discovered that the college downgraded the status of the diploma to a certificate.
Regardless, I have lived in Asia for over 8 years teaching English. I
completed a 360 hour Tesol course. Previously I have been able to get a
work permit with my college papers and Tesol, but due to recent changes
in policy I will no longer be able to obtain one as they say I need an
associate degree or bachelors degree. This leaves me with a very big
problem.
I need to get a legitimate degree as quickly as possible.
Can anyone tell me an accredited online university where I can get a
degree?
Are there any universities that convert life experience into credits?
Is it possible to bypass my degree and and get my PGDE?
Is Unisa (University of South Africa) a viable option?
I also heard of some people that had not completed their degree, but because of their experience were able to apply directly to masters programs in TESOL. Has anyone heard of this and if so, is there a list of any universities that allow this?
Are there any suggestions for ways for me to stay in asia teaching and
to complete my degree at the same time?
No marriage options please. Smile ...haha

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If your degree wasn't at least a bachelor's to start with they made a mistake by giving you an E2 visa. You will need to transfer your credit to a real bachelor's programme and do the equivalent of two years' work to get a real BA.

[moosehead]

if I were you - first of all I'd try and contact other S.Africans here - there are quite a few - if you can pm me, I can even provide some email addresses.

anything else I'm saying is just speculation; I've visited S.A. but am not from there so take from that what you will:

next, have you contacted the S.A. embassy and your Education Minister about this? there should be something you can do thru your country; I know at least several unis there offer online degrees.

what is your certificate supposed to be in now? computer programming? did the school you attended lose its accredation (sp?) or something? how did you find out all this anyway?

you sound like you are in a bit of a jam but seriously, I think you need to discuss it w/ some folks from S. A. first and foremost to see how much can be rectified thru there before spending your hard earned money elsewhere for credit you possibly already have.

take a deep breath and hold on - things will work out, ok?

[Otherside]

Sorry, Bum_Suk is spot on. You had a DIPLOMA from a computer college not a DEGREE. They made a mistake giving you your previous e-2 visas.

A couple of options.

1. Look into the public school programs, I know GEPIK is offering internships that pay 1.6-1.8 +full PS benefits, for people with 2 years of tertiary education. It's designed for people who have done two years at varsity and dropped out/want to take a year off. If your course was 2 years long you may be able to slip through the cracks on this one.

2. You could get a degree via UNISA. It is a proper degree and will be accepted, yet this will probably take you quite a while to achieve.

3. Go somewhere where degrees aren't required. Your TESOL cert + experience should open quite a few doors for you, and while you are there sort out your degree from UNISA and come back.

Sorry to hear about this, but in reality it's a miracle this has bitten you sooner.

PS I'm South African and the only reputable (or otherwise) correspondence option I'm aware of is UNISA.

[bassexpander]

That sucks, and I'd advise you to use EXTREME caution and NOT let immigration know they made a mistake before you go.

Let me give you an example:

A few years back, an American teacher arrived in Korea for the first time, and was given a 6 month tourist stamp in his passport. Sounds ok, right? Wrong! Americans (at the time) were only allowed 2 weeks. The immigration officer accidentally stamped him with the wrong stamp.

The guy tooled around in Korea for several weeks, and eventually went to leave the country before his "6 months" was up. The computer listed him as an overstay offender, and immigration took him into the little immigration police room. They grilled the guy, and he showed them his passport, which was stamped with a 6 month tourist visa stamp. Immigration refused responsibility. They would not admit they were wrong, thus lose face over the incident. They fined him, and kicked him out of the country. They told him, "You're American -- by law in Korea, you only get a 2 week tourist visa, and it's your responsibility to know this." The fact that they had made an obvious error didn't matter. Their first concern was saving face in the matter.

So if immigration finds out that you've been working here on less than a 4 year degree, do not expect them to be kind to you, despite it being their mistake. They'll probably take it out on you, fine you, and possibly blacklist you forever.


Another story:

Someone who was once a very prominent poster on here overstayed his visa. He left Korea during the grace period allowed all overstayers (about 3 years ago). He turned back around and came in again some time later, because he'd obtained a new job and wanted a new E-2. They immediately took him into custody. All he did was return here. He was kicked out and now teaches in Japan.