Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Chadders]

Hello everyone!

I am hoping to start a teaching job in October near Seoul.

My main concern however is with regards to the visa medical. I have always had high blood pressure and liver enzymes for someone in their 20s. I dont mind mind and neither does my doctor. I dont drink much or have hepatitis.

My main concern is whether I could lose my job when I get to Korea? Would anybody be able to shed some light on this? Is this something that is taken seriously?

Thanks

[Centauri]

I'd be curious about this as well, I get "White Coat Hypertension" a.k.a. for some reason I get a bit nervous when I have my blood pressure taken which causes my blood pressure to go up to a high level, but only when it's actually being measured. Obnoxious, I know...... My doctor said it's totally normal though, it happens to something like 20% of people

[Kaypea]

I remember I flunked the blood pressure test. The nurse told me to sit down and take a rest, and I flunked it again. She told me to sit down and take a rest, and I felt so frustrated I went to the bathroom and cried until it was time to take the test again... and I passed. So, hopefully something at the hospital will frustrate you to tears!

[FastForward]

High blood pressure will make you fail the health screening? That is crazy.

[northway]

[Centauri]

[northway]

[Chadders]

Thanks for the replies.

What about the liver test though? Might they take that as I "abuse" alcohol? Surely that may cause a couple of issues?

[Porksta]

I don't think it is possible to abuse alcohol in Korea.

That being said, what is a liver test?

[lithium]

[greatunknown]

My blood pressure was high at my medical screening. I had a similar experience as a PP. The nurse gave me some soy milk, told me to sit silently for 5 minutes and re-did the test.. It was still high, so she scolded me for talking to my boss, and told me to close my eyes, breath deeply and try to stay relaxed for 5 minutes. They passed me on my third go.

My boss didn't seem the least bit concerned during this time. My blood pressure might have been elevated due to my phobia of hospital's. Also I drank 2 cups of coffee and several cigarettes that morning (Despite being told to fast for 24 hours). When my BP was high all I could think was "OMG how could you be so stupid!!!!"

I think I would have gotten away with having high BP though, my boss didn't seem the least bit concerned. He just told me to eat less salt

Good luck

[Chadders]

Thanks for all that!

[mmstyle]

Re liver: I once did the test while taking high doses of ibuprofen, which I was told can change the readings. It came back to high (it was all in Korean, so I can't give specifics). I redid the test a week later, all was well. I do not know if the retest was required, or recommended. I got the impression that it was required.

[jurassic82]

During my last health check I had high blood pressure (they checked 3 times!!) and a cavity. As you can probablly guess I passed. I had a few friends with fatty livers and they passed. If you don't have HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis then you will be fine. Good Luck!!!

[Chadders]

Nice one!

I think if I explain to the school beforehand they should be ok with.