Korean Job Discussion Forums

[taobenli]

Trying to clarify an earlier, rambling post...

My husband and I will be moving to Jeonju in March. We'll be in Seoul this September through February. He's planning to study full-time and perhaps work part-time (if we can work out the logistics) in Seoul for 6 months.

What does he need to do in terms of background check, etc. before leaving the U.S.? Do we need to get that ball rolling now even though he doesn't want to start at a public school job until next March?

Also, how early does he need to apply for public school jobs in March, and what recruiter would you recommend (or should he try applying directly since we'll already be in the country)?

I appreciate your advice!

[moosehead]

the funniest thing about this post is how clueless the OP is about planning ahead when in K

no offense OP, really, it's just that planning ahead here is not part of the culture.

doesn't even matter if you do go ahead and try - someone here will do their utmost to upset those plans, trust me, it's one of the first things you'll learn.

btw, you will have to go with the flow if you ever want to survive here.

good luck tho. jeonju is a nice place

[Hello]

I think the first thing you should check is what kind of visa you will or can have. Your post doesn't say anything about it. I'm guessing that your husband will have a student visa, but what about you? You said you will be in Seoul for 6 months, but being American, you can only get a 3-month tourist visa. You can always get that and leave for a short trip to Japan, China or Taiwan and then come back to Korea with another 3-month tourist visa, though.

[taobenli]

Dude, I've spent plenty of time in Korea, I'm doing PhD work there. I KNOW that planning is not part of the culture, but since we are NOT part of the culture (and held to stricter standards with things like background checks), I am asking a simple question about when to aim to get certain steps done.

I think we'll just look for a job once we're there...but does anyone who know how the E-2 process works (particularly in terms of getting paperwork in order in anticipation of a future position) have a more helpful response?

[taobenli]

Sorry, I was responding to the previous post, not yours.

For the 6 months I'll be in Seoul I'll be studying, so I'll have a D-4 visa. My husband will probably also get a D-4 unless he finds a short-term contract to work (part-time, perhaps). Then we'll both need to switch, as my husband needs to start working full-time once we settle in Jeonju, and I'll have a weird A-3 visa for American scholars. Not sure of the logistics of that...

I guess I'm just having a hard time imagining how my husband will get the apostille, etc. required to work if he is already in Korea on a student visa (unless he does it in advance)...

[moosehead]

[taobenli]

I was using "dude" in a gender neutral sense, I'm also a "dudess." And I'm doing my PhD in the U.S., but my fieldwork in Korea.

Also, I don't see that my question about preparing paperwork in advance of a job has been answered a thousand times on this board. Even if it has, it's common knowledge that the search function doesn't really work.

[moosehead]

try scrolling thru some of the pages - seriously - it's on here that often as far as what you need and when - probably in some of the stickies even.

[icnelly]

[taobenli]

Thanks, icnelly, helpful advice!

I think my husband will also enter Korea on a D-4 student visa as well, unless a magical 6-month only part-time or full-time contract falls in his lap. It'd be nice for him to be making money, but it'd also be good for him to learn some Korean and get settled since we'll be there a few years.

[Rory_Calhoun27]

For some reason, the cast of "John and Kate Plus 8" comes to mind reading this thread.....

Anyway, if he and Kikimom's Wario can find the time, let's meet up in Itaewon.... I think a few of 'da boys have some steam to burn up!





And by steam, I mean "issues,"

[taobenli]

Huh? Are you saying I have issues?