Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ramanujan88]

Hello All,

I recently got a new job at a Hagwon in SK. I'm very excited, but a little nervous about the VISA. I don't have any physical or psychological diseases, but have seen a counselor in the past.

My father and a couple of my best friends past away. I was also escaping an abusive home. Americans commonly have depression, and any doctor I went to see classified it as that, nothing more. Anyway, I'm a full time American teacher now. I've been full time while getting my Masters Degree as well. So I'm not worried about not being able to handle it. Work is where I'm my happiest, it was the death of loved ones that got to me.

I explained this to my recruiters, a couple other Koreans, Americans who work in Korea, and they said any questions about mental health - just say no, don't explain just say no. For instance, I put down I am not mentally ill (which is true), but have seen a counselor to help me with losing my dad. The recruiter said, don't put that - just say no, as long as it doesn't affect your teaching.

The only thing I'm worried about is can Korea find out your medical history in America? Or are they only allowed to keep tabs of you while you're IN Korea? Could they find out by record that I went to a counselor, though that is not allowed to appear on US background checks (unless you're buying a gun, but never for jobs). My recruiters said, "Things are different here, in America, what you did was healthy, but not here. So just don't mention it." Could they only find out by my mentioning or could they do research? Just making sure there's no surprises along the way...

[ttompatz]

If you put anything other than "no" you won't keep you job and may be denied the E2 visa.

They have no access to your records other than what you give to them.

.

[Aine1979]

They take the information you fill in on the self check form as the truth. They have no access to any of your medical records. Don't mention anything whatsoever about mental health, either on the forms or to recruiters. Mental health issues here still have quite a stigma attached to them.

[kingplaya4]

They aren't the US Army, they can't find anything out that you don't tell them. You might want to contact at least one previous teacher at your future hagwon and make sure it's a good gig, because a lot of mental difficulties can be exacerbated here, mostly because of a bad job, although I would say life here is inherently a bit more stressful even with a good job.

[tophatcat]