Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fredo39]

Hi everybody. I hope this topic has not been covered to death already.
I work as an English teacher for a "distance learning" company in America. But it has become my dream to teach in Korea for at least a year.
However, I have a chronic health condition - namely "Crohn's Disease." 99 percent of the time, I am perfectly healthy, but my condition requires expensive treatment.
A recruiting/head hunting company told me it is virtually impossible to get an E-2 visa if you have any health condition. I refuse to give up my dreams that easily.
So, I hope some of the kind people on this site can give me advice, or at least some words of encouragement. I do not want to abandon what I feel is truly important in life just because I was unfortunate enough to have a chronic health condition.
Thank you.

[cruisemonkey]

[Zaria32]

The recruiter doesn't know what he or she is talking about. The point is, keep your mouth shut. You have to fill in a health form that asks some
questions (my info is 18 months old though, so it could have changed)
but if the Crohn's doesn't impact your ability to teach, it's simply not
their business.

When you talk to a recruiter in the US, do you tell them you have Crohn's? Of course not. It isn't their business.

I went to Korea with a fatal condition and simply never said a word about it. I was in my second year before I had any problem, and it was covered without any question by Korean Health insurance.

[fredo39]

"Were you to obtain an E-2, you would in effect be dumping the cost of treating a pre-existing condition onto the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation."

And believe me, I take no pride or pleasure in that thought. As a visitor, I would feel bad about abusing the system. I would feel much worse about abusing the health system than I feel in America, where a bunch of stupid town hall protesters have pretty much ensured we can't have a namby-pamby "public option" insurance - much less universal health care - ever.
But I digress...
I know we can't always get what we want, but I do not want to give this up. What if I go there with private insurance, such as COBRA, or traveler's insurance? How would that affect things?

[oldtactics]

The most important thing that you need to think about/consider is how many days a year your condition gets debilitating. My roommate in 4th year had Crohn's and he was like you, mostly okay but I'd say about once every two months, he had an overnight stay in the hospital, effectively losing 2 days of work. That's at least 12 sick days a year, if not more. No contract I've ever seen offers that many sick days.

Plus, be sure to double check that you can get your medication/treatment here, and that it's covered by your insurance.

Good luck!

[fredo39]

Reply to oldtactics:
The recruiter told me the visas are hard to get exactly because emplyers worry about the sick day issue.
For my part, the condition very rarely gets debilitating. I had flare-ups two summers in a row, but the most recent one was three years ago. Even so, I took only a couple sick days because of this (not counting the five days I spent in the hospital three years ago.)
I have not taken a single solitary sick day since then. However, I'll admit the stress of traveling, of new foods and unfamiliar surroundings, sometimes seems to trigger my condition. Add spciy kimchi to a sensitive digestive system, and this problem could be compounded. I've already resolved to eat bland foods as much as I need to.
Someone suggested just keeping mum about the condition. Isn't that illegal? How intensively do they check up on this stuff, and what are the punishments for lying about it?

[teachergirltoo]

I have a Korean friend here with Crohns. She says the hard part for her is that Korean doctors aren't as knowledgeable as doctors in the States and Canada about this particular disease, and advising her about what will help her diet-wise. The fact that you have already been dealing with it and no doubt are armed with a wealth of knowledge regarding diet and treatment when necessary will help you a lot. The public school system provides good sick day coverage - 15 days, and up to thirty but beyond 15 are unpaid. With your knowledge of diet and how to cook for yourself you will probably find that you can keep good control of your diet. There are big UK stores like TESCO (HOMEPLUS) here, and Costco where you can find many North American foods.

[oldtactics]

[CousinNZ]

Fredo!
I was diagnosed with Crohn's late 2004. I came to Korea not long after and have been here ever since. I have had maybe 1 flare up since then but it was minor. I was on Pentasa when I first arrived but have not been taking any meds at all for about 3 years. I think its the kimchi! The doctors here dont know too much about it so I would make sure you have your doctors (from home) contact details just in case you need advice or meds.

I personally find the korean food to be better on my stomach. I went back home a couple of years ago and was on the standand New Zealand Diet for 10 days. My stomach was a mess.

As for the health check, it wont come up and I wouldnt mention it. Just be sure you are confident about your condition and that you can keep it under control.

If or when you arrive be sure to hit me up for any more info or just some support.

Take care,

Cousin

[I-am-me]

I am not sure where you will be working. If it is a hagwon and you get sick...I guarantee you will be fired if you miss work. That is just how they are here. Public schools will be a littel better as long as it is not an extended absence. No one has to know what you have when you apply for the E-2.

[fredo39]

Hi! As a person who does what I want to do and shares my same health condition, I would be very interested in getting to know you a little more.
Apparently, Dave won't let me contact you until I have 25 posts (WTF??) so could you share an e-mail address with me?
Am I correct in my understanding now - the Korean government has to know about my condition for visa purposes (I downloaded a form that asked if I had any serious health conditions witin the past five years) but the hagwon would not have to find out?
I think I'm formulating a plan: If I can get off the expensive medication and find something cheaper (or, ideally, no medication,) and follow a special diet to keep the Crohn's under control, then I would not be abusing the K. national health system - no guilt. If everything stays cleared up, it would never create a problem with the employer - no worries.
What is this "health check" everyone is speaking of? Would the K. government itself deny a visa because of a health condition? There is still much I do not know.
Anyway, thank you (and everyone else) for your replies!

[cruisemonkey]

[DeliciousFish]

I just wanted to say good luck to you OP. My dad and aunt both have Crohn's disease, and my dad's had serious surgery twice because of it. I really don't know what you should do about your health form, but I know that my dad always had to take prescription medicine. I know one of them was a kind of steroid, although I'm not sure what he takes these days. If you're going to be taking prescriptions, then you're eventually going to have to let someone know why. Since the problem with Crohn's develops over time, you never know when you might have a serious blockage. You definitely want someone who knows exactly what is happening with you as it's already going to be difficult translating at a hospital, even if a doctor speaks some English. As you mentioned, be careful about the food you eat, as even extraordinarily healthy people can have problems in a foreign environment. There is lots of places like E-Mart where you can buy food that is easily recognizable.

Best thing that I can think is to put it down, put play it down as much as possible. "No it's not contagious, it won't inhibit my teaching, I take some medicine and it's not a problem." My dad was teacher in America for around 30 years before moving to a company job, and I know that doesn't help for the health check, but I also know that someone with Crohn's can certainly have a long and successful teaching career. Best of luck to you.

[Demophobe]

Apply, be honest and hope for the best. Don't lie on the application or at any time about your condition.