Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gigijones]

hey all! got an issue with busted bones and need some advice. i was riding my scooter to work early tuesday morning and my mind was not on the road, i was thinking about the application i was making later that day...i came upon a bad driver, sped up and changed lanes to avoid him, i swerved and hit a ridge in the road. the ridge flipped me. now i have crutches and a broken ankle. i don't know the status of it - maybe its an easy break, maybe it needs surgery - i won't know until wednesday next week when i meet with the orthopaedic surgeon.

the next day, wednesday, i made application to the job i am so excited for, my first time teaching in korea. this i was supposed to do tuesday, but i was high on morphine, so i was in no position to do so. as far as i was concerned, my plans have not changed - i am very excited and ready to go, i begin teaching on 1 march. i have been waiting for this since april 2006.

i didn't tell my recruiter, even though she's been fabulous, because i figured it would be healed by the time i leave in late february. in doing research online realized this may be more serious than i thought. given that i have no medical insurance, the ambulance ride, the x-rays, the appointment with the orthopaedic surgeon will be paid by me, out of pocket.

i need advice from any one who may have been or knows some one who may have been in this situation, any one who has had experience with the korean medical system. i imagine i need to tell my recruiter, but i think i will have to wait until after i meet next week with the surgeon. so here's my survey and its very open ended - what's my next step? is my broken ankle relevant in my hiring process? do i not say a word? would it be better for me to stay in america until the ankle heals, and if so, what would be your reason for advising me to do this?

i appreciate everyone's input and advice, if i was confused about a lot of stuff before - banking, taxes, finding a job - i am even more challenged now! thank you again in advance!

[Ya-ta Boy]

Step #1: See your doctor. Once you know the seriousness of the injury you'll be better able to plan the future. If you need surgery, then you may need to stay home until your doctor releases you.

Step #2: If you don't need surgery, then I think you should let your recruiter know about your ankle. I don't think it will be a problem in finding a job. After all, it's just a temporary inconvenience.

If you do have to stay home longer, it is not the end of the world. Jobs open up here all the time. ALL the time. Delaying a month won't create a major obstacle.

Good luck.

[rowdie3]

Medical care is a lot cheaper here than in the States, but it might be a little overwhelming to set up when you first get here. I would wait until you can walk on it before coming. You can do some physio for it once you get here. I broke my ankle here about two years ago and the whole thing cost me $280 plus $20 per visit after that for treatment. Healed fine.