Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lolacatessan]

Ok I know the standard is for schools to pay for your airfare to and from Korea, but why do some schools have you buy the ticket and then reimburse you? Why don't they just pay for it up front? My husband and I had a problem with this when we were negotiating with one school. We liked everything about the school except the fact that they made us buy the ticket over there and then they would reimburse us for half the cost (the rest would be reimbursed at the end of the year). We had to pass up the contract because we actually don't have the money to buy plane tickets ourselves and we want to leave the US asap.

Also, what about schools not giving you ANY paid sick days? I've heard that some schools did away with paid sick days because they used to have a policy where the teachers could have as many as they needed but, of course, the teachers abused this lol So they decided it was all or nothing. Why would they do this? Why not just put a set amount in the contract? This is another complaint we've been having with schools.

Set vacation- why? lol I don't think it's really fair to tell your teachers they can only take vacation when you say so. What's the point of this?

And dress code- there has been at least one contract we've seen where business attire was required (suits and ties) How common is this? At our last school we could pretty much wear whatever we wanted.

The overall problem we're having is that we really, really want to be in a southern coastal town (such at yeosu, jinhae, etc.) but they all seem to have one or more of the above-mentioned stipulations that we don't want to agree to. Most of the schools have 2, 3 or more things we don't want to agree to an they won't negotiate. We're starting to get frustrated because we're not getting a whole lot of offers and therefore hate to pass up so many schools.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I would never take a job unless they offered to pay airfare up front and offered at least some discretionary holidays.

[ttompatz]

[kat2]

Ok I know the standard is for schools to pay for your airfare to and from Korea, but why do some schools have you buy the ticket and then reimburse you? Why don't they just pay for it up front? My husband and I had a problem with this when we were negotiating with one school. We liked everything about the school except the fact that they made us buy the ticket over there and then they would reimburse us for half the cost (the rest would be reimbursed at the end of the year). We had to pass up the contract because we actually don't have the money to buy plane tickets ourselves and we want to leave the US asap.
You should be able to find a school that will pay for this for you. Just be patient.

Also, what about schools not giving you ANY paid sick days? I've heard that some schools did away with paid sick days because they used to have a policy where the teachers could have as many as they needed but, of course, the teachers abused this lol So they decided it was all or nothing. Why would they do this? Why not just put a set amount in the contract? This is another complaint we've been having with schools.
This is actually pretty common. Even if they are in the contract, thye will probably deduct pay. I would just get over this one. Its going to be hard to find a hogwan that offers paid sick days. PUblic is a different story

Set vacation- why? lol I don't think it's really fair to tell your teachers they can only take vacation when you say so. What's the point of this?
This is pretty common as well. Hogwans usually close for a week and all teachers take vacation then. It sucks, but thats goin to be a hard one to negotiate on b/c most hogwans don't have enough teachers to cover the extra load. Public Schools won't be much different. You will have to take your vacation during the scheduled school vacations at a PS, just like the west.

And dress code- there has been at least one contract we've seen where business attire was required (suits and ties) How common is this? At our last school we could pretty much wear whatever we wanted.
Most kiddie hogwans have no serious dress code. I mean no holey jeans is obvious, but most are casual to business casual. Adult hogwans do usually require suits.

The overall problem we're having is that we really, really want to be in a southern coastal town (such at yeosu, jinhae, etc.) but they all seem to have one or more of the above-mentioned stipulations that we don't want to agree to. Most of the schools have 2, 3 or more things we don't want to agree to an they won't negotiate. We're starting to get frustrated because we're not getting a whole lot of offers and therefore hate to pass up so many schools.
Just flood recruiters and all ads on the job board with what you want. Tell recruiters not to bother you with stuff that doesn't fit (thye will anyway). Be patient. Its worth waiting for the right job.

[butlerian]

Some hagwons will be understandably wary about offering to pay/book your flight in advance as they have had an experience with a teacher not turning up. Many people do back out at the last minute as it is a big deal to leave your country and work in another across the world for a year. Also, not being able/willing to pay your airfare may indicate financial troubles that could burden the hagwon initially.

[ontheway]

Many good hogwans no longer pay airfare upfront, just like public schools. It has become common for teachers to pull a number of scams which are expensive for schools (public and private) so the schools no longer trust the teachers:

1) Teachers just don't bother to get on the plane, decide to stay home or take another job. The school is out the prepaid nonrefundable fare.

2) The teacher misses the flight and wants the school to buy another ticket or pay for the change fee.

3) The teacher just takes the ride and gets off in Japan or comes to Korea but never shows up to work.

4) The teacher is a professional con who manages to cash in the ticket and keep the money.

Good schools don't have to prepay your ticket. Take it as a sign of confidence and quality if the good school doesn't prepay. They are offering you a good position, and if you don't take it, someone else will.

[lolacatessan]

[xCustomx]

I just heard from a friend a few weeks ago about a new hire who had his plane ticket paid for to Korea and then disappeared once he landed. He used the school for the ticket, so I don't blame schools for having the teacher pay for the ticket first. Personally I wouldn't accept a contract without airfare paid for by the school, but you have to understand where the schools are coming from when they make the teachers pay first

[pkang0202]

Apply for a credit card. CaptialOne, Citibank, Sears, Best Buy, whatever.

Ask for a $2500 or $3000 credit limit. Go out and buy your plane tickets. Tell your school you need to be reimbursed in full within 14 days of landing in Korea.

Once you get your reimbursed money, you pay off the credit card at once.

Of course, during the 2 weeks you might accumulate $20 in interest But hey, you stated you can't pay for the plane ride here, so paying a small fee shouldn't be a big deal.

[laogaiguk]