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What every newbie needs to know (when applying first time)!!
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Weigookin74



Joined: 26 Oct 2009

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:21 pm    Post subject: What every newbie needs to know (when applying first time)!! Reply with quote

What every newbie needs to know (when applying first time)!! Use common sense and assume what could go wrong just might. You may have a wondferful experience but there as so many unforseen. You only need read through here to encounter many horror stories and hakwons that screw their teachers. So, let me say this bluntly --> DON'T BE STUPID!! Come over here being prepared. If you have to live in your parents basement and work at McDonalds for another month or two to properly save up, then do so. Also, take the time to get your banking switched to online banking. Set up a paypal account so that funds can be easily transferred. Get a debit card that can work overseas. If you can apply for a credit card and get accepted, even better.

So many people come over unprepared and on a shoestring budget. They get screwed and then post : "HELP!" comments. Don't let this be you. You really should have a thousand bucks to live on here until you get paid. Also, save another couple of thousand and leave it in an account that can easily be transferred should you need the money. This way, you don't have to be fearful of some jerk boss. This extra cushion gives you the ability to walk away from a bad job and get one that is better.

So, again : DONT BE STUPID. Be prepared and be patient. Work that couple of extra month at McDonalds or where ever while living in parents basement and save.

People can have wonderful experiences, but they can also get royally screwed! So, be over prepared and you should have a smoother experience. Try to get into a bigger city for a hakwon. That way there are other hakwons to more easily apply for and other expats to ask for advice.

Public school is a better shot, but more difficult to get into. There are plenty of decent hakwons out there. Getting a current foriegn teachers email helps, but is never a 100 per cent gaurantee. (some may just want to get out of a bad situation as soon as possible.)

DON'T BE STUPID, be overprepared and you will save yourself a lot of grief, stress, etc. The minute a boss stops paying you, you go to the labor board. The minute he drags it out or pulls other crap, you leave and use your saved money to live off.

The minute you have an obnoxious and arrogant boss, you pack it up and leave. Have an extra 2 or 3 grand sitting in a bank account back home helps you as a safety blanket. Hakwon bosses won't be able to exploit you and hopefully over time the bad ones will go out of business.

Good luck. Be smart and enjoy your time here.

PS Don't settle.

PPS Bring 6 sticks of underarm deodorant. Everything else you can find here.
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Ballerina2012



Joined: 17 Jan 2012

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 5:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

good post!
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lesigh



Joined: 09 Apr 2012

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

one addendum: PPS Bring 6 sticks of underarm deodorant (and/or extra-large condoms or tampons if you need them). Everything else you can find here.
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YTMND



Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Location: You're the man now dog!!

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
If you have to live in your parents basement and work at McDonalds for another month or two to properly save up, then do so.


It doesn't have to be that drastic. You can get a credit card. I would much rather pay back that than work at McDonald's. However, the point is the same, you will need money. Read on for a laugh.

Quote:
So many people come over unprepared and on a shoestring budget.


And they are also unprepared leaving, this appears to be my Achilles heel.

STORY 1

I made plans to leave Japan with a little over $1,000 in the bank. I had to buy a ticket though, so this brought me down to $300. I took a night "dream" bus from Kyoto to Tokyo airport (they didn't have a cheap flight in Osaka). The departure time was 1:00pm, and I planned it so the bus would arrive (I thought near the airport) around 10:30am - 11:00am. This was the first mistake.

After we arrived in the outskirts of Tokyo, the bus stopped. We waited, then we waited, we waited some more. People were waking up and wondering why we weren't moving. There was an accident. Around 11:00am, we were told about this and waited some more. I got to the train station about 45 minutes before the flight. I had to stand in line at 2 places to ask where the airport train was. This involved carrying all my luggage around and trying to get through security "breaches" explaining to them I needed to get to an airport (I only had $300 left on me). I was able to get to the terminal 30 seconds before boarding.


Quote:
Also, take the time to get your banking switched to online banking.


Another good suggestion.

STORY 2

I decided to go to China after my Korean adventures, and I found out that the travel agent needed my passport for 4 days. I had to get a bank account opened to transfer funds to my home account. They wouldn't open one on an ARC.

Added to this, I had to close my other bank accounts which were not linked to online services. One bank asked me to just move the money to a 2nd new account they would open up and let me transfer funds online that way. This was on the day before my flight out of Korea. By 1pm, I had 2 new bank accounts and closed the others. I got home, and I couldn't get either online account working. Bank 1 wouldn't let me log in, and when I went to Bank 2, it stated I already had online services with another bank. I called support and around 3pm was able to get into my account, but setting up the transfer meant puting in all these remittance details. It would not accept the address I put for the bank. I called support for Bank 2 which wanted to talk with Bank 1. How I was to link those 2 support people from just 1 cell phone is beyond me. I screamed in her face out of frustration and ran to Bank 1. They helped me get it all set up for about $30. Then it was a race to get my internet bills paid and close my account for that and cell phone.

Give yourself a few days, don't do what I did.
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Weigookin74



Joined: 26 Oct 2009

PostPosted: Mon May 07, 2012 12:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

YTMND wrote:
Quote:
If you have to live in your parents basement and work at McDonalds for another month or two to properly save up, then do so.


It doesn't have to be that drastic. You can get a credit card. I would much rather pay back that than work at McDonald's. However, the point is the same, you will need money. Read on for a laugh.



Well, I did say you could apply for a credit card too. However, if you can't get one, then keep working for another month or two to save more money. Also, take your time and be choosy for the right offer. Don't be in such a rush to get over here that you end up with a bad deal once you get here. If a deal sounds fishy, it prob is. Never accept a vague assurance from a recruiter. If it's not in the contract and the recruiter says it doesn't mean anything. They are lying to get you over here.

So, as I said, another month or two working at a Mcjob won't kill you and even save yourself a lot of grief later on.
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sallymonster



Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Location: Seattle area

PostPosted: Mon May 07, 2012 6:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also, if you're American, get an extra FBI check so you won't need a letter of release if you want to quit a job and get another one in Korea.
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PatrickGHBusan



Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -

PostPosted: Mon May 07, 2012 7:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Solid advice in the OP.

I would add:

1- Figure out what you want BEFORE you contact recruiters or apply anywhere.

What you want is made up of: where you wish to work in terms of location (city, smaller town, rural), and for whom (PS, Hakwon, Uni...).

2- Get ALL your documents ready and have them IN HAND before you apply.

This will save you time and grief.

3- Figure out your market worth.

In short understand what you can expect as far as starting pay. This can be figured out by reading up on job offers and perhaps contacting a few experienced teachers if you can. Also understand that a job is about a lot more than just salary. Hours, benefits, location, work environment, duties all come into play.

4- Do your homework.

Read the FAQs here or on other such sites. Check out what an E2 visa is and what the limitations are.

5- I will second the savings issue!

Please come over with some money in case things go bad. You should always have enough funds (or available credit) on hand for at least a ticket out of the country should you need it.

6- Be ready to adapt!

Working abroad means adaptation. That can mean understanding how the workplace operates in Korea so that you can then react intelligently to things that happen and put them in their proper perspective. This will avoid knee-jerk reactions that may be wrong.
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Weigookin74



Joined: 26 Oct 2009

PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2012 4:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PatrickGHBusan wrote:
Solid advice in the OP.

I would add:

1- Figure out what you want BEFORE you contact recruiters or apply anywhere.

What you want is made up of: where you wish to work in terms of location (city, smaller town, rural), and for whom (PS, Hakwon, Uni...).

2- Get ALL your documents ready and have them IN HAND before you apply.

This will save you time and grief.

3- Figure out your market worth.

In short understand what you can expect as far as starting pay. This can be figured out by reading up on job offers and perhaps contacting a few experienced teachers if you can. Also understand that a job is about a lot more than just salary. Hours, benefits, location, work environment, duties all come into play.

4- Do your homework.

Read the FAQs here or on other such sites. Check out what an E2 visa is and what the limitations are.

5- I will second the savings issue!

Please come over with some money in case things go bad. You should always have enough funds (or available credit) on hand for at least a ticket out of the country should you need it.

6- Be ready to adapt!

Working abroad means adaptation. That can mean understanding how the workplace operates in Korea so that you can then react intelligently to things that happen and put them in their proper perspective. This will avoid knee-jerk reactions that may be wrong.


I would also add what Patrick here has said. Bring an open mind. Be prepared for the culture shock that sets in after 3 to 6 months of being over here. Some adapt and some don't. Try to see the bright side of things.

Let me additionally suggest setting up a Skype account and purchasing some minutes or time with either a credit card or pay pal. Set up both a Skype account and a pay pal account before coming over. The skype means you can call North American land lines from your computer here. Usually costs me 2 cents a minute via skype to call North America. Easier than dealing with those international charges and dialing numbers.
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The Sultan of Seoul



Joined: 17 Apr 2012
Location: right... behind.. YOU

PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2012 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you're broke and can't stant that burger flipping gig for another week - come anyway. I came here with zero coin and my work gave me a 600k won advance and I know a lot of other teachers who did the same. If they want you there at a certain time - most hakwans will hook you up with an advance.
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jeremydc808



Joined: 16 Apr 2012

PostPosted: Tue May 08, 2012 6:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the awesome posts guys!. As a proud newbie, I am soaking everything in slowly. My main concern is having enough $$. Luckily I moved back in with my mom earlier this month. I started another job and helping my mom with the COL with Hawaii so I should have at least 1,500$.


I know there will be some challenges but all I can do is prepare and take the advice.
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Son Deureo!



Joined: 30 Apr 2003

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 6:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sallymonster wrote:
Also, if you're American, get an extra FBI check so you won't need a letter of release if you want to quit a job and get another one in Korea.


This is excellent advice, there's no reason not to have an extra CRC handy no matter what country you're from. While you're at at, get 3 or 4 apostilled copies of your diploma made as well. These are good forever, and the extras will come in handy if things go south on you or if you decide to stay longer. It's way easier and cheaper to get several done at one time while you're at home than to try to get them later on from Korea. Plus, MOE has been requesting these lately.

Quote:
If you're broke and can't stant that burger flipping gig for another week - come anyway. I came here with zero coin and my work gave me a 600k won advance and I know a lot of other teachers who did the same. If they want you there at a certain time - most hakwans will hook you up with an advance.


If you have no other choice than to come over broke and ask your boss for an advance, fine. Understand, however, that this is risky and leaves you at your boss' mercy. Not ALL hogwon bosses will try to exploit your helplessness, but you won't know until it's already too late.
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PatrickGHBusan



Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 7:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Son Deureo! wrote:
sallymonster wrote:
Also, if you're American, get an extra FBI check so you won't need a letter of release if you want to quit a job and get another one in Korea.


This is excellent advice, there's no reason not to have an extra CRC handy no matter what country you're from. While you're at at, get 3 or 4 apostilled copies of your diploma made as well. These are good forever, and the extras will come in handy if things go south on you or if you decide to stay longer. It's way easier and cheaper to get several done at one time while you're at home than to try to get them later on from Korea. Plus, MOE has been requesting these lately.

Quote:
If you're broke and can't stant that burger flipping gig for another week - come anyway. I came here with zero coin and my work gave me a 600k won advance and I know a lot of other teachers who did the same. If they want you there at a certain time - most hakwans will hook you up with an advance.


If you have no other choice than to come over broke and ask your boss for an advance, fine. Understand, however, that this is risky and leaves you at your boss' mercy. Not ALL hogwon bosses will try to exploit your helplessness, but you won't know until it's already too late.


Coming over broke is a bad plan. It puts you in a very vulnerable position. I agree with what Son said: asking for an advance right off the bat is often not good policy. Also, note that some schools offer a relocation allowance (in the range of 300 000 - 500 000W). Not all but some.
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PatrickGHBusan



Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 7:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Bring an open mind. Be prepared for the culture shock that sets in after 3 to 6 months of being over here. Some adapt and some don't. Try to see the bright side of things.


I could not agree more.
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mohair_blues



Joined: 23 Aug 2010
Location: Bundang

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 10:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

also a good idea to talk to the current teachers at the hagwon,
can save yourself alot of heartaches
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Alphonsus Jr.



Joined: 04 May 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA

PostPosted: Wed May 09, 2012 10:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are eye drops for those suffering from dry eyes readily available in Korea? TheraTears, for example?
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