Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DC in Suwon]

I'm just over six months into my first year in Korea. I'm about 80% sure that I want to teach here another year. However, I'm at the point where I'm trying to figure out what is the best method of starting that second year. I'm not sure if I'll resign with my after school job.

Here's my big issues/questions:

-I really want to go home/travel for a month or two (March 2010-April/May). Would this mean I would have to do that whole visa process all over again? Would I have to go to the consulate again?

-OK, my contract ends-end of Feb 2010. If I find a new position (while still here in Korea) to start in say April 2010, is it possible to transfer all the visa info? Or do you have to immediately start that new job after the contract ends? Would a visa extension work here?

-I'm currently teaching in an after school program which from what I understand, is similar to hagwons. It's not bad, but the whole education for money thing is sort of a pain in the a. What are the pros and cons of public schools?

** If anyone has been in this situation or knows of people that have gone through it, could you give me some advice? I realize everyone's situation is always a little different, but I really want the easiest and smoothest transition into a second contract in Korea. **