Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cottonpicker]

I am arriving in Seoul Monday night, and even after repeated asking, no one at the hogwan or the recruiting office has offered to meet me at the airport.
Anyone... please help.

[lohengrin]

where do you have to go to?

[Cottonpicker]

I don't know. That is the entire problem.
After repeated asking, I only know that I am to board the plane in the morning. After that, I will be out of communication with any of the people that I have been talking too. No one is telling me what to do when I get to Seoul. My school is in Daegu. But do I proceed to Daegu? Or do I check into a hotel at Seoul. (It will be 21:30 at night) If so, which one? And whom might be paying for it? Why couldn't HoyaEnglish simply tell me what to do? I asked them over and over.

[cmr]

Then try to contact your recruiter (http://www.hoyaenglish.com), if he/she isn't helpful tell them you won't board the plane... that should put pressure on them.

If you know exactly which school you are supposed to go to, then try to contact someone from that school (manager/owner/other foreigner/whatever) who could give you some answers. Perhaps a foreigner from that school could be a safer bet if you want to make sure there is no misunderstanding.

What does your plane ticket say? You'll know if you're going to Seoul or Daegu.

I really hope for you that get some answers. I know a bit what it can be like. My second time in Korea, I was told by the recruiter in the U.S. that my electronic ticket would be waiting for me at the airport and someone would be there to pick me up once I got to Korea. The ticket was at the airport but no one was there for me when I landed in Korea. More than that, nobody knew I was coming! We landed around 6 AM, I walked around looking for someone looking for me, gave up, had breakfast, waited until 9 and called the hagwon. Luckily for me, the hagwon manager was a truly nice guy and he drove himself to the airport to pick me up and kept apologizing.

I was lucky. It doesn't mean you will be. Keep bugging people for answers until you get them.

[D.D.]

If u don't hear from anybody take a bus or train to Daegu and check into a love hotel for about 40000. Then make contact via email or phone if you have numbers.

[Xuanzang]

You`re going to need a hotel room maybe in the airport town centre. Your plane comes in too late to catch the bus or KTX to Dongdaegu. There is a bus that leaves for Dongdaegu at 10:30 but I dont think you`ll make it with the wait for luggage and customs. Plus if you take the late bus then you`ll get into Daegu at 2 or 3am.

You could find cheap accomodation at the airport town centre and then get them to drop you back at the airport the next day.

Then catch the bus to Dongdaegu bus terminal according to the bus website times.

I wouldnt recommend you come into Seoul because most likely you have a lot of luggage. Good luck.

Place to stay
http://www.ghincheon.com/company/e_company_info.htm

Bus schedule
http://www.airport.kr/airport/traffic/bus/busView.iia?seq=437&flag=E

[I-am-me]

Welcome to sparkling Korea. I guess no one warned you about going to Korea to teach. US embassy website posts a good warning. Make sure you get all the legal benefits you are entitled to after a month.

[I-am-me]

Welcome to sparkling Korea. I guess no one warned you about going to Korea to teach. US embassy website posts a good warning. Make sure you get all the legal benefits you are entitled to after a month.

[mekku]

i flew into seoul a few months ago for my job in daegu. i figured i'd have to stay the night in seoul and catch a train the next day. my recruiter told me last minute that they got me a plane ticket into daegu. maybe your recruiter is waiting till the last second to give you all the info? if you don't even have your emailed plane details yet than it is possible.

make sure you have your recruiter's number written down so you can call from the seoul airport if necessary. the last train to daegu is at like 10.45 so you wouldn't make it if your flight doesn't arrive til 9'ish. i wouldn't recommend the bus- stuck on a bus for 4.5 hours after a long plane ride wasn't fun.

there is a hotel or two in the airport area. if you have to, stay there for the night, get a good night sleep and then go back to the airport the next day to make your way to Seoul Station to catch a train. the hotel is cheap, like 40$.

good luck and try not to worry. it may seem nerve-racking but korea is a really safe place so you won't be in any real physical danger, it could just be a really annoying night of travelling and wondering what the hell is going on. i've had a few of those myself. don't let it taint your start to a new life here!

[Ilsanman]

I would refuse to come until I had some help.

Some people have no consideration and they're just out for a paycheck. If you threaten not to come, they don't get a check. That'll make them work.

[trish91198]

wow. my recruiter (park english) told me someone from my hagwon would be there to pick me up. they also gave me their number in case something happens and i have no ride.
keep up with buggin the recruiter for some kind of information!!!
good luck and keep us posted!

[the ireland]

so, how did it go??? are you in korea, did you get to daegu??? they always leave the dramatic endings to roll over the weekend....damn you nbc!!!

no but really did the op arrive safely?

[Thewhiteyalbum]

[mekku]

i'm wondering the same thing....nearly a week later. did they get here okay?

[Xuanzang]

I wonder if he bailed?