Korean Job Discussion Forums

mika_21 · Joined: 08 Jun 2003

Ok I don't owe them airfare...they have processed my diploma through immigration but have not sent me on a visa run yet!!
So I am still on a tourist visa. Ok ok don't say anything as I was desperate at first and had to take this job! But treatment has not been good, and I want to go....
Can I? Will they let me?

Mody Ba · Joined: 22 May 2003

If you want to run(leave),run.They have no hold on you.A few suggestions first.
1.Do not,under any circumstances,give them your passport.
2.Do not tell them or let on in any way that you are planning to run.
3.Try to get any money(or at least part of it) before you run.If you know that is futile,LEAVE.
A hakwon treating somebody poorly?Not exactly unusual!
Good luck.Cover your own a--. Mody

mika_21 · Joined: 08 Jun 2003

Well, they have already processed my passport with immigration, but gave it back (as well as my diploma.)
I am holding them off on the visa run.
I don't want to run, but rather work at another school (which already wants me), before I am bound to them by the E2.
If I just left and moved into another apartment (in the Seoul area but very far away) could they blacklist me? Since they have already have my blue letter from immigration, but I don't have an E2 yet? Or I could just tell them that I want to go (it's a new hogwan and my 3 classes a day could easily be covered since they just hired another teacher.)

Mody Ba · Joined: 22 May 2003

That scenario is more complicated than your original post indicated.You might very well"Be in the soup" and have to leave the country first before working for someone else.But maybe someone out there can advise you better on that one.I refuse to work at hakwons,so I do not have that problem.
One question:What makes you think the other school that "wants" you(of course they do Rolling Eyes

) is any better than your present employer?

Gord · Joined: 25 Feb 2003

Morning Calm · Joined: 28 Jan 2003

I was at the immigration office two weeks ago discussing this situation with the officials. Your situation is complicated and would require both you and your new employer to go to the immigration and explain the situation.

itchy · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Busan

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Homer · Guest

Just quit...get a letter of release.
Running is not a solution. Its letting others foot the bill for you, thats what running is.
If your job is not working out, give them notice and quit.

itchy · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Busan

Homer · Guest

the itchy she can just tell them she quits and they will have no recourse.
You are right she is teaching illegally and that has consequences. She just has to deal with them.

Canuck · Joined: 05 Apr 2003

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

it's natural to be defensive and suspicious signing on for a whole year, but listen to your instincts, your gut. koreans are masters at the art of 'transparent' manipulation, but if the treatment seems rough before the visa process is finalized, when they ought to be smoothly reeling you in they are either
-bad actors, which has got to be next to impossible, or is it?
-don't know the system well, that you aren't 'owned' until after the visa run to japan
-are 'overconfident', perhaps a sign of highly autocratic/despotic tendencies
-don't care whether you might perceive 'rough treatment', and if you shy or flinch so much the better, they have an ax to grind, the more you wince the greater their satisfaction (are you a fresh victim?)
-underestimate you

overall listen to your gut. if they come across in so many ways 'informing' you they think you 'deserve' bad treatment by 'being there' the answer is to listen to what you would rather not hear/experience, and respond appropriately. it's annoying to be pegged as 'deserving' of rough treatment from the start, and staying affirms to yourself their message; 'you aren't impressive'. anyone can feel when they walk into a room and gossip, prejudice presents a united front surrounding them and sense it with their GUT. resolve is part of stability, let 'them' dissolve your resolve and you may revolve to an about face look at yourself, a view where you're a nobody. to be pegged as a nobody from the start; can that be 'fixed'? most people 'flee' this, hoping to restart somewhere respectful. if you get the vibe, then a lot's being said behind your back and the odds are unfavourable.