Korean Job Discussion Forums

Rios · Joined: 05 Aug 2006

I work in a public school and the school's spring break vacation is coming up: February 16th - March 2nd.

The school will be closed during this period so I will not have to come in to school.

(It is important to state that I have already used the 7 days of winter vacation stated in my contract.)

My public school's spring break vacation for me will be considered 'unofficial' (under the table).

I would really like to travel to Thailand during this time. The problem is since my spring break vacation is 'unofficial,' I am not supposed to leave Korea.

I was told, by my co-teacher, that I was not allowed to leave Korea because their is a possibility that the public school would be audited by the provincial board of education. In addition, if the provinicial board of education finds out that I was out of the country longer than stated in my contract, the school could get hit with a fine.

I think this is all a bunch of crap and scare tactics but I am not sure since this is my first teaching gig in Korea.

I am thinking about just saying screw it, and buying a ticket to Thailand and worrying about the consequences upon my return to Korea.

So I guess what I am asking for is any advice. I mean what would you do, would you just travel to Thailand 'under the radar' and hope the school does not find out or would you just stay in Korea during the spring break vacation and wait until the summer for the 'official' 7 day summer vacation?

Thanks in advance,

-Rios

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Do you really want to come to Thailand and land at our new dodgy airport?

If you do come though bring only a few clothes with you so I can use the space in your bag to bring my printer and scanner over with me.

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

There is absolutely no way they can know you were in Thailand. If they call you over and over, just say that you were in Jeju Island and left your phone at home. There you go, you didn't leave the country and didn't have your phone and now they have no way to know. Game, Set, Match.

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

Go to Thailand. Have a good time. Come back to Korea. Prepare for work. That's all there is to it - don't worry so much! Life is not so serious.

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

Try not to get too tanned and look too obvious.

Have a good time in Thailand. Laughing

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I agree with the above posts- go for it and enjoy your time in Thailand. In your situation, I definitely would.

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

So your school is going to pay you to sit at home and do nothing. The only restriction they have put on you is that you stay in the country. You feel they are being unreasonable and you should be paid to violate what they have ask of you and go to Thailand? Rolling Eyes

It is no wonder this profession has a reputation of being staffed by unprofessional children.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject:

JeJuJitsu · Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

In that case, tell them that your dog died back home and had to attend his/her funeral. Laughing

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

How long have you been in Korea? Have you seen everything?
Thailand isn't going anywhere, so why not stay here?

I would give my right arm to be in your situation. I have been at my public school for 2 years and they stick to the contract like glue.

If they wanted to they could check with immigration , but I doubt the would.

ilovebdt

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

poet13 · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:34 pm Post subject:

Hey buddy,
Yup, you know me. In our province, the guy checks with immigration. As I told you in our MOB email, and as has been discussed in another thread here, the immi guy made a bunch of grief for a girl in my city last year. Checked her in and out dates, brought immi to her school, threatened her with loss of pay, and had her school audited.
I think most provinces in Korea don't check. Ours does. Does it make any damn sense at all? Nope.
I would say if you are not planning on re-signing with our province, go, have fun, but be prepared for some grief. I have a family to think about. If I didnt, I wouldn't give a sh!t and just go.

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

Rios · Joined: 05 Aug 2006

I think after reading the replies and comments, I will travel to Thailand!!!

I know that Thailand isn�t going anywhere, but neither is Korea!

I guess if the school is closed and allows me to stay home and still pay me, well I guess I am lucky.

What I don�t understand is why my school would try to place travel restrictions on my �unofficial� vacation. All I know is what I was told and that is that if the school is audited and it is determined that I have been on vacation longer than stated in my contract, the school could get hit with a fine.

As stated before, this is my first teaching gig in Korea so I am still learning the ropes.

Anyways, thanks for your replies and your interesting comments.

-Rios