Korean Job Discussion Forums

buffygrrl1 · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Location: Seoul

im just wondering. I've been sick all month starting with strep then a sinus infection then painful sores...o yeah. i feel like shit and my school wont let me take a sick day. i've been to the doctor 2 times now and going again today...o yes not to mention i still dont have my medical card and have watested 200won on medical crap in my frist month here.

The_Eyeball_Kid · Joined: 20 Jun 2007

Miles Rationis · Joined: 08 May 2007 Location: Just Say No To Korea!

SeoulShakin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

If you've never traveled before, then you're bound to get sick. Your immune system is being exposed to new things. It's going to take a while for you to get used to it.

When I first got here, I felt like I was sick for the first two months here. Constant cold, travelers "issues", sinus blockage, etc. Then one day, it's magically gone, and you're accustomed to the differences.

I'd say try to stick it out, but that's just me. And get on your boss about your medical insurance. So long as you have your ARC, he/she has no excuse not to provide it for you.

jeffkim1972 · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Location: Mokpo

Supposedly, being exposed to so many kids can get you sick. It's possible some of the kids are sick, but the parents just say "you're ok", sending them off for 10 hours of hagwon classes regardless.

Exercise helps too. tone up your muscles.

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

I've herad of people "having to" go back. It's a matter of your pain threshhold and your own intuition on what your body can take. If you really feel you can't ride it out, go home. Or do what I did. I talked to my recruiter and he helped me back out of my contract and put me in a public school more willing to give me health insurance and sick days, and more udnerstaniding of the concept of "foreigner sickness", or as the GIs call it, "The Korean Crud". We all get it.

Smee · Joined: 24 Dec 2004 Location: Jeollanam-do

There was a hypochondriac at my old hagwon who left after a month. Her excuse was that she was really sick and had to go home to see a doctor, and she said she would use her vacation allotment to cover this. Well, as you can imagine, she went home and didn't come back. I'd guess that most, if not all, of her difficulties were owing to homesickness. She had a serious boyfriend back home, was close to her family, and was deeply religious. She really had no business coming overseas.

Just about everybody gets sick. Try to tough it out. Find a doctor that understands English so you can explain your symptoms. If you get the proper medication for the proper duration---which isn't that hard, you just have to ask for it---your infection should clear up in no time.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Toughen up. Stick it out. Think healthy.

Getiing a bit sick for a couple of months is common when moving to another country. But after a couple of months, if you're still feeling sick all the time, then it's something to do with you. I've met more than a few hypochondriacs working in Korea. They use supposed sickness as a convenient excuse for anything and everything.

Captain Courageous · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Location: Bundang and loving it

I was hospitalized with pneumonia my first month here. You'll get better.

And wash your hands a lot. It helps.

Tony_Balony · Joined: 12 Apr 2007

I got more infections here then back home. Nothing too debilitating.

VirginIslander · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Busan

I know somebody who left Seoul, but not Korea, because she was too sick up there.

PeterDragon · Joined: 15 Feb 2007

atomic42 · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Location: Gimhae

A lot of it has to do with mold and air quality issues. Buy a few thirsty hippos ( 습기 제거제 (Sup gi Jae geo jae) ask your K colleagues) for home and place them around the important places, esp where you sleep. Your body will adjust, give it time.

kimchi_pizza

Corky · Joined: 06 Jan 2004

If you have strep throat then you need antibiotics. Get the injection. It works quickly. Strep throat will not get better on its own.

If you don't have a medical card yet, then warning bells should be ringing. It is one sign that your employer isn't being straight with you. Are you getting pay stubs that show deductions? Is your medical being deducted? Are you paying the proper tax and are you enrolled in the national pension program?

If not, you have to fix it or you'll lose a lot more than the money you've already wasted paying for your own medical treatment at a school that won't allow you to take a sick day. You are entitled by law to have medical coverage.