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sincerely
Joined: 04 Apr 2011
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 Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 2:36 pm Post subject: HELP- I fled last year and now I want to go back |
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SO - last year I was hired at a terrible hogwan. Long story short I discovered it was terrible as soon as I got there and I had no where to go - recruiter was MIA, I got sick had to visit the hospital. All around bad (the director letting himself into my apt while I was sleeping was the icing on the cake!). So, 5 days in, before finishing training, I got the hell out of there and flew home. Officially I never signed a contract, with this particular school your contract isnt final, or rather your signature doesnt count, until you pass training. However, I did have a VISA issued and was technically hired and left on bad terms.
Its been a year-my past VISA is expired and I want to go back. Im doing it right this time and doing the research I need to do. Ive only had 2 recruiters ask if I have been issued a VISA in Korea before and Ive told them the 'kinda' truth-said yes and I had to leave due to a family emergency. They said a red flag will be waived in immigration when I submit my documents again this year and my new director is going to want to talk to my old director - a guy I met twice and probably pissed off.
My question is - is this true? What are my chances now for coming back? I currently have 4 offers from various schools. Are my chances better if I go to a small school over a big chain? Does it really matter? Will they really talk? Im real excited about coming back and have all my documents ready and fear that at the last minute something is going to happen. Any insight on this would be appreciated. |
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interestedinhanguk
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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I don't want to answer most of your questions,as I'm not positive.
About going to a big chain vs. small school, it's a toss-up. Just go to a public school. |
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sincerely
Joined: 04 Apr 2011
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Wont a public school get the same red flag? That's what Footprints told me at least. |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:14 pm Post subject: Re: HELP- I fled last year and now I want to go back |
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| sincerely wrote: |
| SO - last year I was hired at a terrible hogwan. Long story short I discovered it was terrible as soon as I got there and I had no where to go - recruiter was MIA, I got sick had to visit the hospital. All around bad (the director letting himself into my apt while I was sleeping was the icing on the cake!). So, 5 days in, before finishing training, I got the hell out of there and flew home. Officially I never signed a contract, with this particular school your contract isnt final, or rather your signature doesnt count, until you pass training. However, I did have a VISA issued and was technically hired and left on bad terms. |
Who told you "the signature doesn't count"? No doubt it was the hagweon boss. Well, that's 100% bunk. You could not have gotten a visa without a signed contract. Your employment period began the very day you entered South Korea on that visa. There's no "technically hired." There is only hired. You were hired. That's how you got the visa.
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Its been a year-my past VISA is expired and I want to go back. Im doing it right this time and doing the research I need to do. Ive only had 2 recruiters ask if I have been issued a VISA in Korea before and Ive told them the 'kinda' truth-said yes and I had to leave due to a family emergency. They said a red flag will be waived in immigration when I submit my documents again this year and my new director is going to want to talk to my old director - a guy I met twice and probably pissed off.
My question is - is this true? What are my chances now for coming back? I currently have 4 offers from various schools. Are my chances better if I go to a small school over a big chain? Does it really matter? Will they really talk? Im real excited about coming back and have all my documents ready and fear that at the last minute something is going to happen. Any insight on this would be appreciated. |
What red flag? You don't have to lie to anyone. If asked if you've ever had a visa, say yes. If you don't want anyone to talk to the old employer, don't tell anyone who it is. Just move onto another recruiter, another prospective employer.
Also, it doesn't matter that your previous recruiter was "missing in action." His responsibility is not to you. He's an agent of the employer and once he's gotten you to sign a contract with the employer, his job is finished. His responsibility to you at that point is nil. |
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sincerely
Joined: 04 Apr 2011
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: HELP- I fled last year and now I want to go back |
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| CentralCali wrote: |
| sincerely wrote: |
| SO - last year I was hired at a terrible hogwan. Long story short I discovered it was terrible as soon as I got there and I had no where to go - recruiter was MIA, I got sick had to visit the hospital. All around bad (the director letting himself into my apt while I was sleeping was the icing on the cake!). So, 5 days in, before finishing training, I got the hell out of there and flew home. Officially I never signed a contract, with this particular school your contract isnt final, or rather your signature doesnt count, until you pass training. However, I did have a VISA issued and was technically hired and left on bad terms. |
Who told you "the signature doesn't count"? No doubt it was the hagweon boss. Well, that's 100% bunk. You could not have gotten a visa without a signed contract. Your employment period began the very day you entered South Korea on that visa. There's no "technically hired." There is only hired. You were hired. That's how you got the visa.
| Quote: |
Its been a year-my past VISA is expired and I want to go back. Im doing it right this time and doing the research I need to do. Ive only had 2 recruiters ask if I have been issued a VISA in Korea before and Ive told them the 'kinda' truth-said yes and I had to leave due to a family emergency. They said a red flag will be waived in immigration when I submit my documents again this year and my new director is going to want to talk to my old director - a guy I met twice and probably pissed off.
My question is - is this true? What are my chances now for coming back? I currently have 4 offers from various schools. Are my chances better if I go to a small school over a big chain? Does it really matter? Will they really talk? Im real excited about coming back and have all my documents ready and fear that at the last minute something is going to happen. Any insight on this would be appreciated. |
What red flag? You don't have to lie to anyone. If asked if you've ever had a visa, say yes. If you don't want anyone to talk to the old employer, don't tell anyone who it is. Just move onto another recruiter, another prospective employer.
Also, it doesn't matter that your previous recruiter was "missing in action." His responsibility is not to you. He's an agent of the employer and once he's gotten you to sign a contract with the employer, his job is finished. His responsibility to you at that point is nil. |
The "signature doesnt count" came from CDI. After you go through their bootcamp hell training and get "certified" then you officially get hired. If you dont pass they send you back home on your dime. According to them you are not officially employed until after passing training - that's when you sign the "real" contract and are eligible to be reimbursed for airfare. Again, all according to them..
The recruiters told me that immigration will know who my previous employer is and will notify my new employer if they wish to contact them. That way they do not get stuck with someone who is prone to "running". Personally I dont give them that much credit into doing this much legwork. But. Ive been warned so I am worried.
Im not blaming my previous recruiter - I know they are not responsible for me - I was just pointing out that I had no one to turn to, had no idea on how to find another job in a day, part of the reason I just got the hell out of there. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 4:18 pm Post subject: Re: HELP- I fled last year and now I want to go back |
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| sincerely wrote: |
The recruiters told me that immigration will know who my previous employer is and will notify my new employer if they wish to contact them. That way they do not get stuck with someone who is prone to "running". Personally I don't give them that much credit into doing this much legwork. But. Ive been warned so I am worried.
Im not blaming my previous recruiter - I know they are not responsible for me - I was just pointing out that I had no one to turn to, had no idea on how to find another job in a day, part of the reason I just got the hell out of there. |
FLAT OUT LIE. Immigration doesn't care and won't tell anyone anything.
If your old visa has expired and there are no outstanding criminal charges against you then you are free to return on a new visa and go to work.
If a recruiter asks, say no. You DIDN'T work in Korea. They have no way to check, confirm or deny your statement (same with a new employer).
When you apply for your visa at the consulate, say yes on the form, that you have had a previous visa. They will pass you through without problem.
Again, no-one other than Kimmi and the consulate will know (and they don't care) and unless you show your old visa in your passport no-one else will never find out.
. |
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brento1138
Joined: 17 Nov 2004
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 4:42 pm Post subject: Re: HELP- I fled last year and now I want to go back |
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| The above poster is correct for sure. The recruiter lied. I think the reason for this lie was simply to screen you. The recruiter honestly doesn't want someone who has a possibility of leaving their job. If the recruiter hires a midnight runner, that recruiter's time and effort goes to waste and they lose a bunch of money. So, that's why recruiters lie. They just say anything to make sure you are real $$$ in their pockets. |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: HELP- I fled last year and now I want to go back |
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| sincerely wrote: |
| The "signature doesnt count" came from CDI. After you go through their bootcamp hell training and get "certified" then you officially get hired. If you dont pass they send you back home on your dime. According to them you are not officially employed until after passing training - that's when you sign the "real" contract and are eligible to be reimbursed for airfare. Again, all according to them.. |
They're liars. That's really all you need to know. They're also cheats and frauds. That's why they're facing a class action law suit by both Korean and foreign teachers. |
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sincerely
Joined: 04 Apr 2011
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| Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 9:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Ahhh deep breath - thanks for clearing that up! The 2 recruiters I told that I've been to Korea before havent even offered me a job yet - the other 4 job offers have no idea of my prior VISA, and I will keep it that way. Feeling much better now. And CDI can go to hell. |
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WillTurnerinVanCity
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:53 am Post subject: |
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| sincerely wrote: |
| Wont a public school get the same red flag? That's what Footprints told me at least. |
EPIK and other public schools frequently ask for reference letters from previous employers in South Korea, and we know that they follow up on them. We've had people who have been caught by this.
If you have taught in South Korea before, you are required to provide this information.
It is a pretty ridiculous policy because it heavily favours the schools. It puts the teachers at their mercy and doesn't account for all the..well...bad schools out there.
-Will at Footprints |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 6:40 am Post subject: |
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When I walked out on my worthless hagweon employer, I then got a job with a public school. What they wanted was (a) proof that I'd been teaching a year already and (b) two reference letters. Note that neither reference letter had to come from the worthless hagweon.
Employers are required to provide employees and former employees with verification of employment letters. ttompatz most likely knows the particulars on that requirement. |
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WillTurnerinVanCity
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 7:26 am Post subject: |
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| Oh - I should add that there is a two year window. So, if you have taught in South Korea within the last two years, you'll need to provide that info to EPIK. |
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ZIFA
Joined: 23 Feb 2011
Location: Dici che il fiume..Trova la via al mare
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: HELP- I fled last year and now I want to go back |
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| sincerely wrote: |
| They said a red flag will be waived in immigration |
This is a favorite lie of Korean managers.
They would have you believe that immigration officials all carry red flags and whistles in their pockets and have direct lines to every hogwon boss.
"Oh look!" theres another rogue foreigner trying to get through customs after quitting a contract. After him, boys!" |
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Chris.Quigley
Joined: 20 Apr 2009
Location: Belfast. N Ireland
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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Listen to ttompatz!
Lie to the recruiters. Don't lie to Immigration. |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Ignore the drama, just apply and send out your resume. You don't have to get everyone on your side, especially the recruiters and bad schools. |
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