Korean Job Discussion Forums

tryptych600 · Joined: 30 Jan 2006

Hi, I'm new here and just wanted to leave a post regarding illness and work in Korea. I've been away from Korea for eight months (after having spent two years there) and I'm currently looking for another teaching post there. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with diabetes last year and this was the main reason for leaving Korea at that time. I've spent the last six weeks applying for work over the internet but so far haven't found a position. Does anybody have any information/advice on applying for work and/or working in Korea with illnesses such as diabetes? How was your jobsearch? How is your job going? Obviously, hearing from diabetics currently living and teaching in Korea would be useful, along with any other info anyone has.

Thanks
tryp

K-in-C · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Heading somewhere

This is an extremely important post and thus worthy of a 'Bump.'

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

Do you need to tell them you have diabetes? I know some employers ask for a medical. But for all my employer knew before I came over, I could have had any disease under the sun. They never asked me anything about my health...and as far as I'm concerned it's none of their business.

I think if an employer discriminates against you because you have a disease like diabetes (which if you're treated properly, shouldn't have an impact on your teaching), then maybe you don't want to work for that employer anyway.

Just don't provide the information if you don't have to and I can't imagine why it would be a problem.

tryptych600 · Joined: 30 Jan 2006

Thanks for replying. Just to provide a little more background. One of the main reasons for my leaving Korea was because of my being diagnosed with diabetes. I left a contract (amicably enough, it has to be said). But, so far, when speaking to new schools they have uniformly wanted a reference from my old employer (who I don't have any contact with).. so the issue is bound to come up as my old boss was actually at the clinic when I was diagnosed. I think giving any other reason for curtailing a contract (i.e- bending the truth) would probably sound even less reassuring anyway.

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

I've had diabetes since I was 4, and have worked all kinds of regular jobs since I was 15 without any problems. I was only asked about my health, prior to signing a contract, twice in Korea. The first time was in '97 when I first came here(I honestly answered her question)...the lady who hired me said, "Well I have an older sister who has diabetes and always seems tired and..." I told her that she didn't have to hire me if she didn't want to. She did and there was never any problem. The last time was when I was hired for a public school position and had to do a medical...again, no problem. I think it's best to mention it to at least one co-worker or supervisor whom you trust just to make sure you're covered in an emergency situation. Usu, I don't mention anything to anyone until after I'm hired. It really isn't that big of an issue if you have yourself under reasonable control. I think you shouldn't receive any preferential treatment(disability) when being hired and you also shouldn't be treated unfairly. In your case, it's whatever you think is best. Do you think that last hakwon is going to hold that against you? If so, take it off your resume. It's not like it's going to make a really big difference in salary or anything.

chessmaster9000 · Joined: 31 Jan 2006

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

Good advice from the last poster, but they have diabetics here, too. The only place where you may have difficulty getting supplies is if you find yourself in a smaller town...even there, you will most likely be able to have a local pharmacist order in what you need from Seoul. Insulin is covered, while syringes are not...same as back home. Also, everything is lower cost here, so you'll be paying less for the syringes. Also, less for the insulin if you were not covered. I'd say bring three month's of supplies to keep you comfortable until you find out where to go to get your stuff while here. However, bring a year's worth if that makes you feel more comfortable.

tryptych600 · Joined: 30 Jan 2006

Cheers all. I did ditch the last school from my resume for a while. I'm actually working on trying to get back in touch with a previous employer in Korea.. it's just taking some time that's all. If I can get that then I won't need to mention this last employer (in which case illness will be much less of an issue)

As far as working and medication goes I think all is well. My control is fine (even better when I'm working and have more of a routine) and I've been stockpiling insulin pens the last month or so, ordering a bit more than I need from the clinic, so this should keep me going for a while before I need to suss out the correct medication. I booked an appointment with my doctor today too.

bourquetheman · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: Suwon

Please be sure of the kind/quantity of insulin you need and how easy/available it is to get. The reason I say this is that a friend of mines husband taught with his brother over here who was diabetic. The brother took insulin and had it shipped every few months from Canada. I don't know why he got it from Canada, perhaps cost or perhaps availability, not sure.

Anyway for some reason (maybe forgetful, maybe busy, again I didn't want to pry) he was short of insulin and had to stretch his supply until the next shipment arrived. He said goodbye to his brother on Friday and come Monday morning when he didn't show up for class, his brother went to his place to check on him. Tragically he was dead. He went to sleep and never woke up.

I share this story with you not for shock value but just to make damn sure you have alternatives in place. Hope it helps...........

Lizara · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

Insulin is somewhat difficult to find in pharmacies here. I also had trouble getting the doctors to write me a prescription for more than two weeks' worth at a time. So when I started my second contract I brought a year's worth from Canada; much more expensive, but to me the savings in this case aren't worth the hassle.

The diabetes hasn't caused me any problems at work. I make sure I always have some sort of sugary drink in my backpack just in case.

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

I believe what the last couple of posters have said, but I can give a little more info. I'm in Boo-sahn and finding insulin has never been a problem for me. I was even able to get the local pharmacist to order it for me from Seoul when I lived in Dae-goo in 1997. The kind of insulin has been a bit of a problem. For example, Lispo is not easy to find. Also, sometimes good syringes are sometimes hard to find. You may even have trouble finding pens and refills, although I was using them at one point here(so, they are avaiable). However, substitutions can be made. Short acting insulin is short acting insulin whether it's Lily Korea or Connaught Novo. There are also medical supplies stores where you may be able to find the harder-to-find product. What bourquetheman said is not entirely unbelievable, only the context makes it seem strange. Low blood sugars most likely would have been the problem in that fella's case. If he was out of insulin, high blood sugars would've been more likely than low, and he could've survived a while with those. Anyway, sad story. It all comes down to monitoring and control.

p.s. About five or six years ago, doctors here got more into the prescription writing game. Before that, you could walk into a pharmacy and get the insulin over the counter. As I also don't like going to the doctor every month or two, I insist that the doctors write the prescription for six bottles at a time(I'm talking the 10mL ones). They aren't always happy, but they will get a little excited when dealing with a foreigner, especially if their English isn't the best. When they don't understand the spoken 'six', I hold up the bottle and say six and then write six and get a little excited myself, and then they give me a prescription for six. It's money for them regardless, they just want you to come back more often as it's more money for them that way.

tryptych600 · Joined: 30 Jan 2006

All my medication is free on the NHS (I'm in the U.K) so stockpiling on the pens I use is the best option for me at the moment. Does anybody use insulin PENS out there? If not I think I'll try and bring enough pens for a year.. I don't mind swapping to bottles and syringes but, if the stuff I'm getting here is free and I'm familiar with it, it's pretty understandable why I'd favour it (I'm starting to feel like William Burroughs' character in Junky!)

I'm assuming blood-testing strips and lancets are pretty easy to get hold of right? I guess everyone needs those. The OneTouch Ultra metres, I think, are pretty universal, as they had those in the hospital over there. Are the same strips generic to all blood measuring systems?.. since I know Korea uses the North American system and we Brits, as per bloody usual, use a different system. Mind you, that's no big problem.. you just swap over machines if need be.

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

Lizara · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Location: Seoul

I use insulin pens. you can get the refills, but... well, as I said above. Test strips are absolutely no problem. Just walk into any pharmacy. I always bring the box to show them exactly what I'm looking for. I'm not so sure about lancets as I haven't needed a refill on those since I've been here, but I've heard they're quite easy to get.