Korean Job Discussion Forums

JMO · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu

I was meant originally to be finished my current contract in August but the boss wanted me to extend until the end of November which I accepted as I was planning a vacation over christmas anyway.

So there is a new teacher coming in September and we were to be working together. Student numbers have not been growing as the boss forseen(his crystal ball blacked out) and he says they can't have 2 teachers. He would rather have the new teacher who would be there for one year rather than organising another new teacher at the end of november.

He told me this this yesterday and obviously I was a bit upset. But he also said that they would keep my visa open until the end of November even though I'm not working there. I suppose I would still officially be but I wouldn;t be there or get paid.

Now here is the question. I know i can't work anywhere else on this visa legally for the three months. But can I take this time to travel and see some of Korea?

I'll have a good chunk of change after severance/airplane money/key money/bs housing deposit at the end of this month so I could afford it.

Is it legal to be on an E2 visa but not working at the academy? It seems like an unusual situation.

Vicissitude · Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: Chef School

normalcyispasse · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:06 pm Post subject: Re: Wierd situation

RedRob · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Narnia

I have hada similar thing happen to me, it ain't so bad. Here's what I did: had a big chat with bossman, told him what I wanted to do and got his OK. Then I stopped working for him, kept the visa. Jumped on english spectrum etc and did a heap of short term jobs, you would have seen 'em, 1 mill for one week, no housing, that kinda thing.

I also got in touch with some recruiters...why? Often teachers sign on and agree to start at a job, but for whatever reason they are delayed for a week or two. You jump in, charging 150-200 a day or 35-40/hr as a stopgap. Ask for big coin- haggie owners know the risk you are taking, if they don't want to pay that much, walk out, let them deal with crazy mums, but leave yr h.p. no.

Ask for pay every friday, or if they look a bit kooky, ask for an envelope every day. You can make a stack, have fun, no stress.

Make up 5-10 "one off" lesson plans, keep them in yr back pack and leave yr phone on. You will have spells where there is nothing to do say from tue-fri. Proceed to WTBook, get something you like, off to G's Terrace, Nash rooftop whatever. Order beer, add sunglasses= day sorted.

There will be safeskis saying : its against the law! OMG!! You can't do that!!! Effem and their meekness. Take a punt, have some fun, make some cash. I did this for about 4 months, made enuff for another 4 months holiday in Thailand, then came back got a real E2,, normal job etc.

I wouldn't want to do it for years, but have a go for a short while.

Good Luck!

JMO · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu

RedRob · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Narnia

I had my own place, little roof top in HBChon 2m down/ 300/ month. I have always found it much easier to ask for extra $$ and do my own thing for housing, even when properly contracted, nothing worse than having a sick day and having the boss come over to make sure you really are sick! (or wondering if they have keys to yr house etc....just a peace of mind/privacy trip I have I guess)

In yr situation I would get on other boards and look for someone who is after a roomate, or maybe a goshiwon.

You should be able to score a decent room with some one not too crazy for between 250-400/ month in the HBC/Haum dong/ Itewon area.

RedRob · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Narnia

Another idea....if he is cool with it, maybe offer bossman 250/300 for your current place, he probably has a year lease on it, so he might appreciate some extra coin.

JMO · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu

RedRob · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Narnia

These are dorm-style dwellings, where you will be given a small room to yourself, complete with bed, TV, and desk. In most cases, shower, washroom, kitchen, and laundry is shared by everyone else, however, you can find more expensive ones that have more space and in-room showers. The big difference between a hasuk and a goshiwon is that hasuks usually provide free breakfast and dinner, whereas goshiwons are usually no-frills and only provide kimchi and rice.

Short term, cheap, popular with uni students and budget travellers.

Google http://wiki.galbijim.com for good info and links.

JMO · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

RedRob · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Location: Narnia

So OiGirl,
how did you get around the problem?

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

What problem? I stayed in Korea with a friend until my visa expired.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Your boss owes you big time for this hassle. Take him up on the offer of a contact with another job. Get the permission to work at another location form from immi.

OR: If you have the money to hang around Korea for 3 months without working, you have the cash to go to SE Asia and start your vacation early.