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Gabranth
Joined: 19 Mar 2010
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 Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:04 pm Post subject: have I blacklisted myself....? |
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I applied to teach In Korea with a UK based company, who then put me in touch with a Korean EPIK rep, who, when I asked if my arthitis would be a problem said I would fail the medical. The EPIK form was completed and sent to him.
I have since applied through footprints, (no, not actually filled out my form as of yet) who seem to also be using EPIK as well. Im worried for two reasons:
1) That my initial form will be on file, and will therefore count against me.
2) Ill be disqualified for applying twice.
Can someone advise? God, all this BS politicking with these [Mod Edit] people!(recruiters, not Koreans as a nation, or a race. Hope no one took that comment as racist). |
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Howler Monkey
Joined: 12 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't even mention your arthritis unless you are talking about the sort that leaves you unable to walk. I have arthritus in my feet and hands. It only bothers me in the winter. It is controllable with medication. I've been teaching ESL for around five years.
At the most I've only had to sit down more in class due to the pain in my feet. I've never once mentioned it to my employers as I try my best to keep my classes interesting no matter whether I'm standing or sitting. |
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Milwaukiedave
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Location: Goseong
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| Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 4:45 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree with what HM is saying. If you feel your condition is under control then don't mention it. The schools are not going to hire you if you have a major medical condition (or at least what they perceive to be one). It also depends where your arthritis is. In your legs I would think would be difficult since teaching requires a lot of standing. In your back would also be tough as well. Never had that (knock on wood) and from what I hear about it I hope I never do. It sounds painful. |
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PigeonFart
Joined: 27 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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| I definitely agree with the two posters above (about not telling them). |
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WillTurnerinVanCity
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject: Re: have I blacklisted myself....? |
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| Gabranth wrote: |
I applied to teach In Korea with a UK based company, who then put me in touch with a Korean EPIK rep, who, when I asked if my arthitis would be a problem said I would fail the medical. The EPIK form was completed and sent to him.
I have since applied through footprints, (no, not actually filled out my form as of yet) who seem to also be using EPIK as well. Im worried for two reasons:
1) That my initial form will be on file, and will therefore count against me.
2) Ill be disqualified for applying twice.
Can someone advise? God, all this BS politicking with these [Mod Edit] people!(recruiters, not Koreans as a nation, or a race. Hope no one took that comment as racist). |
Hi - we may have already gone over this in an email that you sent to me today, but just for everyone else's benefit, I'll throw in my two cents.
EPIK creates their own hiring policies and they don't really tell recruiters what will fly, and what won't fly. There is the health form you have to fill out and the immigration related stuff, but that is a seperate manner.
For us (recruiters) we interview, accept and prepare a teacher with X issue, and then when we send them over and EPIK says no, we know that people with X issue are wasting their time applying to EPIK. Then we send teacher with Y issue, and find out that Y issue is a no go as well.
Personally, I don't think that your arthritis will be a big deal, but like I may have mentioned to you before, we haven't had any teachers with arthritis, that we know of, so we don't know how that one will fly.
There are other areas that we work with, that may not have such...shall we say...arbitrary guidelines, so please consider those. We want to place teachers but we don't want to waste your time or our time if we know for a fact it won't work.
If you've applied directly to EPIK and EPIK has turned you down, then it won't matter what recruiter you go with because EPIK has that policy. If you were initially going through a recruiter, and they said no (and did not submit your EPIK application) then perhaps it was just that your recruiter didn't want to risk it sending you in and risk irking EPIK.
-Will at Footprints |
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Gabranth
Joined: 19 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:30 pm Post subject: |
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| here are other areas that we work with, that may not have such...shall we say...arbitrary guidelines |
Thanks Will, for your candidness. In regards to the above, do you mean other areas in Korea, or do you mean other countries?
TBH guys, at the rate this is going at, I am getting a bit bored of all this, and Im seriously considering withdrawing all pending applications: sick and tired of the hoops to jump through.
PS:
Heres a quagmire for you. EPIK says "has you suffered any major accidents or illnesses in the last 5 years."
Actually no, the event in which I contracted the arthitis was 7 years ago.
Not a lie....merely taking a literal interpetation of the facts presented. I can get a doctor letter specifying the actual date of the event in question btw. |
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WillTurnerinVanCity
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 6:12 am Post subject: |
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| Gabranth wrote: |
| Quote: |
| here are other areas that we work with, that may not have such...shall we say...arbitrary guidelines |
Thanks Will, for your candidness. In regards to the above, do you mean other areas in Korea, or do you mean other countries?
TBH guys, at the rate this is going at, I am getting a bit bored of all this, and Im seriously considering withdrawing all pending applications: sick and tired of the hoops to jump through.
PS:
Heres a quagmire for you. EPIK says "has you suffered any major accidents or illnesses in the last 5 years."
Actually no, the event in which I contracted the arthitis was 7 years ago.
Not a lie....merely taking a literal interpetation of the facts presented. I can get a doctor letter specifying the actual date of the event in question btw. |
When I wrote that, I was thinking of other countries, but now that you mention it, you could probably go the hagwon route. |
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Hyeon Een
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
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| Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 6:47 am Post subject: |
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Honesty is not always the best policy.
If you have a crippling condition which will make you unable to teach and do your job, then don't even apply.
If your condition will not affect your ability to do your job, then don't mention it. Ever.
A sick or disabled person who trys to trick their way into a job with medical coverage is being dishonest and deserves to be rejected. A person with a medical condition which won't have any effect should not mention it, ever.
I used to work with a person with epilepsy, who only ended up in Korea because Taiwan rejected her due to her condition. She was not incapable in any way. She had her meds (Sent from home), and no one in Korea needed to know about it. She did fine. She spent about bout 5 years in total in Korea and no one ever needed to know her condition.
Arthritis is probably easier to hide than epilepsy. In your next application I suggest you don't mention your condition. If it really is something which will make you unable to work then don't come here; if it's not, then don't mention it. |
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Gabranth
Joined: 19 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 7:02 am Post subject: |
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Do the Koreans ask for letter from your GP/doctor?
So to sum up:
1) Lie, and perjure myself, manipulating the medical by abstaining from my medication for a while.
2) Avoid EPIK like the plague, and any recruiters associated with them.
Wow, glad Im such a good role model for the kids. 
and if, say I have a bad day and limp slightly, what then? Some BS thing like fallen arches or something? I think pretending that I have a sprained ankle for a year is not feasible...
Howler Monkey would it be possible for you to contact me please at your convenience?
my email is [email protected] |
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Gabranth
Joined: 19 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2010 4:36 am Post subject: |
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Guys, wanted to give a big thank you to everyone who has helped, and advised me.
That said, I think that in all seriousness, I am going to draw a firm line under this. I have a real problem with having to deny who I am, I can't abide being an Uncle Tom, and I refuse to have to lie and try and hide something that is part of me for the better part of a year. If Korea does not want me, then *beep* them. I don't want any part of them. Their loss.
Once again, I thank each and every one of you for your assistance, openness, tolerance and care.
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