Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Martin_Brez]

I am due to start my first job at a Hagwon in Bucheon in August. I got an email from my recruiter to say that the Hagwon wants me to book the cheapest flight, let the school know of the itinerary and cost. They will then reimburse me for the flight.

However, when the recruiter sent me an email about this position that I am due to start soon it states that the flight is pre-paid (I'm assuming that the school pays for the flight in advance).

I've told the recruiter that I cannot afford to pay for a flight from London to Seoul upfront. I've asked that the Hagwon pays for the flight in advance.

Have I missed something here or am I right to question this?

Thanks,

Brez

[ontheway]

[Martin_Brez]

[mike in brasil]

If you don't have the emergency funds to support yourself if something goes wrong once you are in Korea then I would either make them pay for the tix up front or find another job that will.

Don't become one more horror story that is all too normal on these boards.

The fact of the matter is that if the school owner finds out you're flexible with the contract from the get-go then they will continue to press you and take advantage of you.

Then a few months into your contract you realize they are underpaying you. Next you realize they aren't paying your health insurance, then your coworkers aren't getting paid.... and on and on....

[Troglodyte]

Or find a new school.

[Martin_Brez]

[mike in brasil]

tell the recruiter that your funds are low and that you chose the job partly based on the free ticket over to korea.

see what they say.....

or, hammer out an agreement where you get reimbursed asap?

either way, it don't sound too good...

[Troglodyte]

[wishfullthinkng]

would your parents/siblings/best friend loan you the difference of what you don't have to get the ticket?

if you don't have enough for the ticket you might have trouble surviving your first month here as it'll take at least a month for you to get paid and reimbursed for your flight. some people recommend around 500 for your first month but for me personally i would bring at least 1500 for my first month just to be safe and actually start enjoying the country as soon as you land.

[JustinC]

[Martin_Brez]

Thank for the responses everyone.

It was understanding that my flight was prepaid by the school, which was stated when the recruiter emailed me details of this position. I have informed them of this and I am waiting for their response.

I'm saving up now just too see me through the first month once I arrive. I've just taken out a new credit card but that is only for emergencies in case I need to go home.

I might take out a small loan to see me through the first month, I've just finished paying one off with my bank.

I feel that it's too much trying to pay for a flight when I've got existing debts (2 credit cards that I pay �100 off each month, rent, etc) in addition to everyday living costs.

I don't want to ask friends or family unless I absolutely have to.

Thanks for your help guys.

Brez

[TDC troll]

[Martin_Brez]

I do have seven weeks before I intend to go out there which gives me chance to pay for my flights and to save up.

But what has annoyed me is that I was told that my flight out there would be prepaid and my contract states that the employer will pay for my fare. If I was told two months ago once I was offered my contract, that I would need to pay for my flight myself then fine. Gives me time to still save up to cover my first month.

They should've told me straight away before applying for this position that I would be reimbursed for my flights rather than saying it would be prepaid.

Once I get my new credit card, I will have to use that if needs be and once I am reimbursed the funds will be used to pay my credit card off so I have funds for an emergency.

If I tried to start again to get a new job then I will need to get all of my documents/visa sorted which takes time and money.

Oh well, I guess I have to learn that the Korean way of doing things if often not as it seems.

Brez

[ontheway]

[Martin_Brez]

1) Party A agrees to pay Party B for a one-way ticket from his/her country to South Korea.[/quote]

This doesn't necessarily mean that I have to pay for my own flight out there and get reimbursed on arrival. I know also that it doesn't mean that the school will prepay for my flight.

But this is what the recruiter sent me before I applied for this position.