Tefl in South Korea

squeakyduck · 21-03-2012 2:48am

babyfratelli_x wrote: »

I googled what she gave me and it came up on citizensinformation.ie that I have to write to the superintendant of the District and get him to send me one. It also said there is no fee for this.

This is correct, this is for your certificate of character. I sent a letter to the superintendent of my local garda station with all of the places I'd lived ever. I also included a copy of the passport information page and if you want them to send it back to you I would send a stamped self addressed envelope. It takes about a week! If it takes any longer than two I would ring them up and ask them about it.

babyfratelli_x wrote: »

However I was then in touch with a recruiter who sent me information that states that I must write to the Garda Vetting Unit in Tipperary ann that there is a six euro charge for this.

No, as far as I know this is for teachers teaching within Ireland.

Andy!! wrote: »

Whats wrong with Busan?

It's too far away from Seoul!

roosh · 21-03-2012 3:59am

babyfratelli_x wrote: »

Heya could anyone let me know how exactly to get a criminal background check done?

I went into the Garda station last week and told her that I needed a criminal background check. She gave me a form (The wrong one anyway) for a police certificate of character. I googled what she gave me and it came up on citizensinformation.ie that I have to write to the superintendant of the District and get him to send me one. It also said there is no fee for this.

However I was then in touch with a recruiter who sent me information that states that I must write to the Garda Vetting Unit in Tipperary ann that there is a six euro charge for this.

Can I just ask how did you guys go about it?

I had a similar problem getting mine. Unless it's changed you only need the one from the local superintendent.

The background check is for visa purposes, not specifically for working with children.

HenryChinaski · 21-03-2012 9:10pm

Hi,

I'm currently back in Ireland waiting to start a new contract on May 21st. However I'm going stir crazy here at home and I want to go back early and do a bit of sub work. I've already done a year there so I'm fairly sure that I won't need to do a consulate interview or any of that malarchy now so my question are as follows:

1. Can I go back on a tourist visa, cover for my mate for four weeks, and just do a visa run to Japan then the weekend before starting the new job?

2. Can I save myself the hassle of posting out the documents and just bring them over in person, hand them to my new director, get the visa reference number in Korea and then obviously take it away and do the visa run to Fukuoka?

Also on another note, can anybody confirm that sealed transcripts are no longer a necessity as far as documents are concerned? I didn't have to have them last year but I'm not going through a recruiter this time and I've a feeling that my director is going on the old requirements. In any case I have a set of sealed transcripts in Korea so it's all good if I can sort out my visa over there.

cloneslad · 22-03-2012 2:09pm

HenryChinaski wrote: »

Hi,

I'm currently back in Ireland waiting to start a new contract on May 21st. However I'm going stir crazy here at home and I want to go back early and do a bit of sub work. I've already done a year there so I'm fairly sure that I won't need to do a consulate interview or any of that malarchy now so my question are as follows:

1. Can I go back on a tourist visa, cover for my mate for four weeks, and just do a visa run to Japan then the weekend before starting the new job?

You can, but it's illegal. If you get caught, you won't get another visa. You will also, most likely, have to have a return ticket, or at least a ticket showing you will be exiting the country. This can be done by booking the boat from busan to fukuoka. This tickets can be booked and paid for at a later date, so you can just cancel it, once you've gotten into the country.

Again, it's illegal

2. Can I save myself the hassle of posting out the documents and just bring them over in person, hand them to my new director, get the visa reference number in Korea and then obviously take it away and do the visa run to Fukuoka?

Yes, you can do that.

Also on another note, can anybody confirm that sealed transcripts are no longer a necessity as far as documents are concerned? I didn't have to have them last year but I'm not going through a recruiter this time and I've a feeling that my director is going on the old requirements. In any case I have a set of sealed transcripts in Korea so it's all good if I can sort out my visa over there.

They are not required to obtain the visa, but some schools may still ask for them. If you have a copy, don't worry about it.

Mr. Loverman · 22-03-2012 3:58pm

I recently went to Korea (last month) without an exit ticket and they didn't care.

Same with Japan actually. And China!

Not sure if this is useful to people or not!

MichelleMurphy · 22-03-2012 10:56pm

Hi all, i've completed my 120hr Advanaced TEFL teaching and qualify to teach in South Korea.

I've applied for teaching jobs with two different companies but haven't heard anything back from them.

It's been one week - is this normal?

I'm a real newb at this stuff so maybe i've missed some basic steps

What's the best way to going about securing a job in Seoul or Busan?

Any help appreciated - thanks

M

SpatialPlanning · 23-03-2012 2:31am

MichelleMurphy wrote: »

Hi all, i've completed my 120hr Advanaced TEFL teaching and qualify to teach in South Korea.

I've applied for teaching jobs with two different companies but haven't heard anything back from them.

It's been one week - is this normal?

I'm a real newb at this stuff so maybe i've missed some basic steps

What's the best way to going about securing a job in Seoul or Busan?

Any help appreciated - thanks

M

Sign up with more recruiters (I ended up applying to about 20-30)! Tell that you are only interested in Busan or Seoul. One week isn't a big deal.

babyfratelli_x · 23-03-2012 3:28pm

I have applied to 5 recruiters, heard back from 3 of them and been in contact with 2 since.

One told me just yesterday that the requirements have changed and you now need a 100 TEFL cert for all public jobs in Korea, and I was just on the reach to teach website and it seems to be true. Goddamnit! Gonna need to enroll in one over the Summer now.

PES4 · 27-03-2012 11:56am

Hi there all.
First time contributor, long time reader.

I find myself in a bit of a bind regarding a job there in South Korea. I have completed all the necessary steps in securing a public school job in the south of the country. I have even received my E2 Visa to begin work ASAP and was due to do just that.

However, due to a sudden family bereavement it has become very difficult for me to fulfill my obligations on my impending start date. Everything has already been put in motion (contract signed and sent, documents accepted, travel arrangements made but not paid for) and I even have a address for my new apartment.

It is unfortunate that I must put off my Korean adventure for a few weeks but does anybody have any suggestions on how to approach my contact there (who has been most helpful throughout the process) with this news.??
Am I under any obligation to fulfill my contract even though I have not even got a flight booked? How does this affect my E2 Visa which was organised by my school there, and how does it affect my next (hopefully) application?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I hope my situation has been made clear. I'd imagine it is unique but perhaps not without precedent.

xinchao · 27-03-2012 1:38pm

Hi folks,

Just applying the EPIK autumn 2012 traunch. It looks like I need a pile of info and forms stamping etc etc. I have a CETLA, over 3 years experience teaching and just finishing my degree (i have an old diploma 3 year as well). However, I'm not so sure about getting letters of employment. I have taught in Thailand and Vietnam (almost 2 years in each place) I have an employment letter from Thailand already, but Vietnam is proving difficult. They seem not to be answering my emails. There are new rules as well to the EPIK, you can no longer choose your destination and the forms seem to be very thorough, but judging by daveselscafe.com maybe that is a good thing because they all seem to be really odd on that site...To be honest i was actually reconsidering about going thinking i might have to work with people like that. However, i digress, if i cannot get a letter from Vietnam in time would an email address do? This makes a big difference in terms of pay over the course of the year and i need every penny i can earn as i'd like to do a Masters here at home. Anyone know about these letters of employment?
Or anybody that has applied recently?

Thanks for reading everybody,

27-03-2012 2:16pm

Ban oi.. What ya mean with letters of employment from Vietnam? Like references?

xinchao · 27-03-2012 2:23pm

Yeah for EPIK, you need two letters of reference but also proof of employment. They are separate documents.
LORs are can be from previous emplyers. But you also need proof of employment as well. So for me i need 4 letters in total. Two LORs and two letters of employment from previous emploters. I could mix them up and use my previous employers also as well for referees.

R.D. aka MR.D · 28-03-2012 8:40pm

Can anyone who has been at the Embassy recently tell me what they actually had to give them?

Passport, money, visa number and employers info. What else?

cloneslad · 28-03-2012 8:58pm

PES4 wrote: »

Hi there all.
First time contributor, long time reader.

I find myself in a bit of a bind regarding a job there in South Korea. I have completed all the necessary steps in securing a public school job in the south of the country. I have even received my E2 Visa to begin work ASAP and was due to do just that.

However, due to a sudden family bereavement it has become very difficult for me to fulfill my obligations on my impending start date. Everything has already been put in motion (contract signed and sent, documents accepted, travel arrangements made but not paid for) and I even have a address for my new apartment.

It is unfortunate that I must put off my Korean adventure for a few weeks but does anybody have any suggestions on how to approach my contact there (who has been most helpful throughout the process) with this news.??
Am I under any obligation to fulfill my contract even though I have not even got a flight booked? How does this affect my E2 Visa which was organised by my school there, and how does it affect my next (hopefully) application?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I hope my situation has been made clear. I'd imagine it is unique but perhaps not without precedent.

Have you got the visa in your passport? If so, you can't apply for another until the entrance date expires in that. I think it's 90days, check it yourself and you'll see.

Also, If it's just a few weeks delay, tell them you want to go but you
Must wait. A short delay for them is better than having to recruit all over again.

cloneslad · 28-03-2012 9:01pm

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

Can anyone who has been at the Embassy recently tell me what they actually had to give them?

Passport, money, visa number and employers info. What else?

My mate was there earlier today. He needed his passport, school info, contract info, visa application number and 37.50. Always ring ahead to ensure you can apply without need for an interview

cloneslad · 28-03-2012 9:03pm

MichelleMurphy wrote: »

Hi all, i've completed my 120hr Advanaced TEFL teaching and qualify to teach in South Korea.

I've applied for teaching jobs with two different companies but haven't heard anything back from them.

It's been one week - is this normal?

I'm a real newb at this stuff so maybe i've missed some basic steps

What's the best way to going about securing a job in Seoul or Busan?

Any help appreciated - thanks

M

As said, apply to as many as possible. Go on to Daves or work n play etc and apply like crazy

SpatialPlanning · 29-03-2012 3:09am

PES4 wrote: »

Hi there all.
First time contributor, long time reader.

I find myself in a bit of a bind regarding a job there in South Korea. I have completed all the necessary steps in securing a public school job in the south of the country. I have even received my E2 Visa to begin work ASAP and was due to do just that.

However, due to a sudden family bereavement it has become very difficult for me to fulfill my obligations on my impending start date. Everything has already been put in motion (contract signed and sent, documents accepted, travel arrangements made but not paid for) and I even have a address for my new apartment.

It is unfortunate that I must put off my Korean adventure for a few weeks but does anybody have any suggestions on how to approach my contact there (who has been most helpful throughout the process) with this news.??
Am I under any obligation to fulfill my contract even though I have not even got a flight booked? How does this affect my E2 Visa which was organised by my school there, and how does it affect my next (hopefully) application?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and I hope my situation has been made clear. I'd imagine it is unique but perhaps not without precedent.

Just be upfront about it. A week before I left for Korea I got injured playing football and had to push back the start date. There were no real problems.

Andy!! · 29-03-2012 5:06pm

Wow... the amount of information given by you guys (and is required to actually pull it off) is just mind-boggling... I might write a blog post to help other people get their head around it, while I get my head around it!! Or does anyone know of a blog post that exists like this already?

I'm going to start with a 'requirements' post I think.... going through that now myself and it's blowing my mind hah.

How is apostilled pronounced? Flat phonetically or 'Jesus and his twelve apostles'?

Also, what are people's experiences with the actual teaching? Do you find you are actually teaching, or basically being used as a human voice player for pronounciation etc?

Toto Wolfcastle · 29-03-2012 10:44pm

cloneslad wrote: »

I think I'm gonna have to call shilling on this one, and report it.

It's not. The post they were replying to was spam though. Please do not quote posts you suspect to be by shills. It makes it more difficult to clean things up. Reporting the post is enough without posting about it. Thanks for reporting though. It's a great help.

inverted_world · 30-03-2012 6:26am

Hey guys,

I think this may have been asked before, but I can't find the answer anywhere. My co-teacher is asking me for a Certificate of Residence from Ireland so I won't have to pay tax here.

I have no idea what it is or how I could get one. Does anyone know about this? Has anyone else needed one or managed to get one?

Thanks!

Andy!! · 30-03-2012 6:21pm

After reading your post, I went into citizens information to ask. They've never heard of such a thing. Anyone else on here know otherwise, or what kind of document would substitute?

R.D. aka MR.D · 30-03-2012 9:20pm

inverted_world wrote: »

Hey guys,

I think this may have been asked before, but I can't find the answer anywhere. My co-teacher is asking me for a Certificate of Residence from Ireland so I won't have to pay tax here.

I have no idea what it is or how I could get one. Does anyone know about this? Has anyone else needed one or managed to get one?

Thanks!

When i lived in Argentina you could go to the police and they would call out to your house and fill out a form confirming that you lived there so if you were applying for stuff it was confirmation of your address like how we would have esb bills, driving licence etc.

I would love to find out if there is such a thing though here in Ireland........

Andy!! · 31-03-2012 2:47pm

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

When i lived in Argentina you could go to the police and they would call out to your house and fill out a form confirming that you lived there so if you were applying for stuff it was confirmation of your address like how we would have esb bills, driving licence etc.

I would love to find out if there is such a thing though here in Ireland........

Apparently not... I asked the guy at citizens information, and his remark was, 'we are not that sort of country' :pac: lol whatever that meant.

Also... what should the reference letters read like? I have one already from a company I used to work at, but it reccomends me at that particular job, I guess it says I'm a good worker generally... I was wondering if this would be ok?

Also, I'm finding the won to euro conversion difficult to get my head around. Is 10,000 won basically around €10?

PrincessPeach · 02-04-2012 1:47am

inverted_world wrote: »

Hey guys,

I think this may have been asked before, but I can't find the answer anywhere. My co-teacher is asking me for a Certificate of Residence from Ireland so I won't have to pay tax here.

I have no idea what it is or how I could get one. Does anyone know about this? Has anyone else needed one or managed to get one?

Thanks!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but from what I've been told Ireland doesn't have a fiscal agreement with South Korea. Every other citizen of a native English speaking country gets at least some amount of their tax/pension back, but not the Irish. Typical, eh?!

squeakyduck · 02-04-2012 4:00am

Andy!! wrote: »

Also... what should the reference letters read like? I have one already from a company I used to work at, but it reccomends me at that particular job, I guess it says I'm a good worker generally... I was wondering if this would be ok?

When I got my reference letters I was looking for a job with EPIK if you go on the epik site epik.go.kr there is a layout that they want you to follow. I used these letters for hagwon jobs too, make sure you get a few copies so you can open one and scan it if needed.

Andy!! wrote: »

Also, I'm finding the won to euro conversion difficult to get my head around. Is 10,000 won basically around €10?

1000 won is roughly about 65c so 10000 won would be about 6.50

Andy!! · 02-04-2012 1:31pm

squeakyduck wrote: »

[QUOTE=Andy!!;7787420

1000 won is roughly about 65c so 10000 won would be about 6.50

Ah here that's gonna blow my mind lol! Thanks for the replies. I'll have a look at epiks format for references.

Muinteor · 02-04-2012 7:44pm

Definitely apply for EPIK/TALK programmes over Hagwons

Andy!! · 02-04-2012 7:51pm

Muinteor wrote: »

Definitely apply for EPIK/TALK programmes over Hagwons

Why? Aren't Hagwons recommended for people starting out? I've heard people say a good hagwon is better than a public school, whats your experience? Also, public schools are kind of done hiring for now, correct?

Sent off for my garda certificate of character today, here's hoping it gets back quick.

roosh · 03-04-2012 1:51am

inverted_world wrote: »

Hey guys,

I think this may have been asked before, but I can't find the answer anywhere. My co-teacher is asking me for a Certificate of Residence from Ireland so I won't have to pay tax here.

I have no idea what it is or how I could get one. Does anyone know about this? Has anyone else needed one or managed to get one?

Thanks!

MY CT asked for the same. One of the teachers that was here before got a letter from the revenue commissioners saying that he was a tax paying resident between certain dates, but wasn't sufficient for avoiding tax.

I think they want one saying that you are a resident, as opposed to that you were a resident. I got one from a solicitor bcos the Scottish teacher that I replaced got a similar one.

no idea if it will work, but had to get one just to get the CT off my back.

squeakyduck · 03-04-2012 5:46am

Andy!! wrote: »

Why? Aren't Hagwons recommended for people starting out? I've heard people say a good hagwon is better than a public school, whats your experience?

Muinteor wrote: »

Definitely apply for EPIK/TALK programmes over Hagwons

I applied for both. I was rejected by EPIK so I got a hagwon. It's good to spread your options.

Public school has nicer hours and a decent amount of holidays, my friends who work public all say that your co teacher makes or breaks your time there. If you have a good one great....if you have a bad one or someone that you don't get on with it will be a little bit more difficult. Also with public schools you may be the only foreign teacher there!

Hagwon has its pros and cons. Longer working hours, 10 days holidays and the potential prospect of closing down with no decent amount of warning time. You will have other foreign teachers (I work with 3 other Irish, a kiwi and an American) which is great. I work in a hagwon, I've heard other people bitching about their jobs but I've really lucked out on my job. They treat me great, my school is closing down in May and they even went out of their way to find me a new job!

Andy!! · 03-04-2012 8:29pm

Thanks duck

Can I come work in your hagwon?

roosh wrote: »

MY CT asked for the same. One of the teachers that was here before got a letter from the revenue commissioners saying that he was a tax paying resident between certain dates, but wasn't sufficient for avoiding tax.

I think they want one saying that you are a resident, as opposed to that you were a resident. I got one from a solicitor bcos the Scottish teacher that I replaced got a similar one.

no idea if it will work, but had to get one just to get the CT off my back.

What's a CT? What would I need to give to a solicitor so they could write that I've lived here since the early 90's? Is there somewhere else I can get a letter like this? Hmm. Want to get as many documents like this sorted, just to be safe, don't want to be tearing my hair out over there trying to sort out letters.

Does anyone know of a good expat korean website with a forum?

I have an android app for learning my numbers. What is the difference between Native Korean numbers (hana, dul, set) and Sino-korean numbers? (il, ee sahm)

hyperbaby · 05-04-2012 2:28am

CT=Co-teacher.
I have a superb co-teacher for 14 classes a week and an absolute wench of a co-teacher for 6 classes. I absolutely dread teaching with he. Also as far as I know, 90% of the time there is only one native teacher per school.

http://www.eslcafe.com/
http://www.waygook.org/
Not exactly a forum but good information here
http://www.korea4expats.com/

Also, I use waygook regularly and haven't used eslcafe in awhile so i'm not sure how decent it is.

Oh the numbers issue, such a pain in the arse.
For money, phone numbers, counting, bus numbers, etc use il, eee, sam.
oh yeah when telling the time the minute part
For books, tickets, pieces, people, trees, birds, etc use hana, dul, set
and oh yeah when telling the time the hour part

Andy!! · 05-04-2012 4:27pm

hyperbaby wrote: »

Oh the numbers issue, such a pain in the arse.
For money, phone numbers, counting, bus numbers, etc use il, eee, sam.
oh yeah when telling the time the minute part
For books, tickets, pieces, people, trees, birds, etc use hana, dul, set
and oh yeah when telling the time the hour part

LOL Oh god

They are taking the mick with both number systems needed for telling the time! :pac: That's just trolling foreigners!

EDIT: Thanks for those links!

roosh · 06-04-2012 1:13am

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone knows anything about Ulsan?

A friend of mine has been offered a public school job there, in August, and he was wondering what the place is like? Anyone know is it a good city?

Is it located near Busan, did I hear?

Any and all info. would be gratefully received.

hyperbaby · 06-04-2012 2:37am

Andy!! wrote: »

LOL Oh god

They are taking the mick with both number systems needed for telling the time! :pac: That's just trolling foreigners!

EDIT: Thanks for those links!

It's tres confusing.

for example:
2:15 = 두시 십오분 du shi shep o poon, which is basically 2 hours 10 5 minutes.
I think that is correct anyway.

R.D. aka MR.D · 06-04-2012 1:14pm

Random question for the ladies:

Can you get Max Factor in Korea?
In particular this: http://www.maxfactor.co.uk/uk/products/Face/Foundations/Facefinity/shade.aspx

If not, what's the make-up situation like? I'm super pale and when I lived in Argentina I couldn't get ANYTHING to suit me cause it was all the darker, tanned shades.

PES4 · 06-04-2012 1:19pm

Cheers to Cloneslad and SpatialPlanning for the earlier advice in this thread.

As suggested I was upfront and honest about my situation and was allowed to delay my start date. I leave on Wednesday to begin teaching in a public school (got lucky) in Gimhae. Cheers for the info guys, this is a really great thread.

Choccie Lover · 07-04-2012 11:48am

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

Random question for the ladies:

Can you get Max Factor in Korea?
In particular this: http://www.maxfactor.co.uk/uk/products/Face/Foundations/Facefinity/shade.aspx

If not, what's the make-up situation like? I'm super pale and when I lived in Argentina I couldn't get ANYTHING to suit me cause it was all the darker, tanned shades.

You can definitely get Max Factor products easily in Korea.

I'm not sure about your particular foundation shade though. Like yourself, I'm super pale. I use Bourjois though, which isn't common in Korea, so I brought my own year's supply.

Having said that, if you are ever stuck, you can go to Lotte Department Store and they should definitely have it there. It's a massive place with every make-up product under the sun. They even had my Ivory Bourjois shade, but everything is way over-priced in there.

Bottom line, to be safe, I'd bring over a few bottles of your foundation and get the rest of your make-up products over there.

Andy!! · 07-04-2012 4:45pm

I've read on here that Emirates is probably the best choice to fly with... is this still the case? I'd be looking at going mid summer which isn't going to help finding a cheap ticket, but currently I'm getting quoted prices from Dublin to Incheon for around 860. Not half bad considering I would be going half-way around the world, but still I'm looking around for the best deal. Anyone know of a site/airline where I could find a slightly better deal? What factors might affect the price going down on some days?

I'm operating on the assumption that I very much doubt a hagwon/public school is going to pay my airfair, correct? :pac:

Would people reccomend I find a job before going over there? Or do I need to have one to get an E2 or other working visa? I would love to have about a week to enjoy the country before starting working.

R.D. aka MR.D · 07-04-2012 5:35pm

Andy!! wrote: »

I'm operating on the assumption that I very much doubt a hagwon/public school is going to pay my airfair, correct? :pac:

Would people reccomend I find a job before going over there? Or do I need to have one to get an E2 or other working visa? I would love to have about a week to enjoy the country before starting working.

I think you pretty much have to get a job first if you haven't been over before because of the E2 rules. But they seem to change all the time! some one on here probably knows better than me.

Private school should pay for your airfare. I had a few recruiters tell me that they don't prepay nowadays especially from Ireland but I said it was non-negotiable for me and I'm flying out next week: recruiter/school sorted and paid for everything!!

inverted_world · 07-04-2012 8:15pm

Thanks, everyone!

I suspected that Ireland didn't have such a thing. I don't mind having to pay tax (though I have 28 teaching hours per week, so I suspect I'll be hit with a hefty bill!), but I got the impression that it would be more convenient for the school if they didn't have to deal with that.

I know another Irish teacher here, and she hadn't a clue what I was on about either. That was sufficient information for my co-teacher.

inverted_world · 07-04-2012 8:20pm

Andy!! wrote: »

I've read on here that Emirates is probably the best choice to fly with... is this still the case? I'd be looking at going mid summer which isn't going to help finding a cheap ticket, but currently I'm getting quoted prices from Dublin to Incheon for around 860. Not half bad considering I would be going half-way around the world, but still I'm looking around for the best deal. Anyone know of a site/airline where I could find a slightly better deal? What factors might affect the price going down on some days?

I'm operating on the assumption that I very much doubt a hagwon/public school is going to pay my airfair, correct? :pac:

Would people reccomend I find a job before going over there? Or do I need to have one to get an E2 or other working visa? I would love to have about a week to enjoy the country before starting working.

I ended up flying with Lufthansa.

The price for Emirates shot up to 1300 by the time my visa number was ready, but Lufthansa stayed around 860. They allow you to book an extra 23kg suitcase for only 60 euro, so I was able to bring 46kg plus 8kg carry on plus a laptop.

I think a lot of schools expect you to pay for your flight, and they reimburse you after you arrive. I'm pretty sure that all public schools expect this.

Choccie Lover · 07-04-2012 11:05pm

Andy!! wrote: »

I've read on here that Emirates is probably the best choice to fly with... is this still the case? I'd be looking at going mid summer which isn't going to help finding a cheap ticket, but currently I'm getting quoted prices from Dublin to Incheon for around 860. Not half bad considering I would be going half-way around the world, but still I'm looking around for the best deal. Anyone know of a site/airline where I could find a slightly better deal? What factors might affect the price going down on some days?

I'm operating on the assumption that I very much doubt a hagwon/public school is going to pay my airfair, correct? :pac:

Would people reccomend I find a job before going over there? Or do I need to have one to get an E2 or other working visa? I would love to have about a week to enjoy the country before starting working.

I flew to Korea with Etihad and found them great. I flew home with Emirates. I actually preferred Etihad (yummy food, nicer aircraft, really nice attendants), but Emirates has the 30kg luggage allowance which is sweet and excellent in-flight movies etc.

I've always booked flights through the Expedia.co.uk website, but I've read on this forum (I think) that if you go through the American site, you can get it cheaper. Not sure on that though.

A lot of public schools and hagwons seem to pay the flights in advance, but that's not always the case. I've worked with two different hagwons. In both cases I had to pay the flights upfront, but was re-imbursed a day or two after arrival. So I wouldn't necessarily see it as a red flag that your school isn't paying upfront. Just make sure you talk to a current teacher and see how promptly they were refunded their ticket.

Also, as a first-timer, I would definitely recommend having your school sorted out prior to going over.

roosh · 09-04-2012 3:00am

Andy!! wrote: »

I've read on here that Emirates is probably the best choice to fly with... is this still the case? I'd be looking at going mid summer which isn't going to help finding a cheap ticket, but currently I'm getting quoted prices from Dublin to Incheon for around 860. Not half bad considering I would be going half-way around the world, but still I'm looking around for the best deal. Anyone know of a site/airline where I could find a slightly better deal? What factors might affect the price going down on some days?

I'm operating on the assumption that I very much doubt a hagwon/public school is going to pay my airfair, correct? :pac:

Would people reccomend I find a job before going over there? Or do I need to have one to get an E2 or other working visa? I would love to have about a week to enjoy the country before starting working.

Etihad are decent as well, and were cheaper than Emirates when I was looking. My mother flew return with Lufthansa for around the same price as I flew one way with Etihad, but she flew in January, whereas I flew in October. It might just depend on each particular airline at any given time.

skyscanner.net and expedia.com are worth checking out.

whoever you're flying with, it might be worth registering with their loyalty programme before flying (or perhaps booking) because you will probably get an increased luggage allowance. I got an extra 5kg, or something like that, with Etihad.

squeakyduck · 09-04-2012 10:42am

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

If not, what's the make-up situation like? I'm super pale and when I lived in Argentina I couldn't get ANYTHING to suit me cause it was all the darker, tanned shades.

BB cream is sent from the gods. I stopped using my revlon because of it! It's cheap like 15k in etude house but all the makeup stores sell their own ones. When you buy in the stores they usually give you samples of the different types of makeup!

Andy!! · 09-04-2012 4:36pm

Wow, thanks for all the information guys! I had no idea that paying for the flight was so commonplace, that's great to hear.

I don't mind paying if they will pay me back later. If they offer to pay upfront, who arranges the flight?

I've been reading up on other aspects while I wait for documentation to come back etc. I think I'm going to go with KBE bank once I'm over there, they seem to be alright and pretty foreigner friendly. Not sure on the phone front yet. What network do you guys use? Is the system over there more like the american one (i.e. mostly bill pay and not as much value?) I'm hoping my Sony Xperia works over there, it's only a year old, it's just down to bandwidths and radio signals that I have yet to check. Still have to get it unlocked anyways.

Thanks again for all the advice. I really should sit down properly one day are read all 190 pages of this thread

HenryChinaski · 09-04-2012 11:03pm

Anyone know if the medical examination currently includes testing for weed? I smoked right up to my departure last year and had no issues but now I'm having trouble finding a definitive answer on the cannibinoid test. Some people are saying yes, they are testing, others are saying don't worry about it. I have six weeks 'til my new contract starts, less than three until I go back to Korea. I'm ust trying to weigh up my options regarding whether I could get away with a few wee puffs over the next week or two??

cloneslad · 10-04-2012 1:15pm

inverted_world wrote: »

I was able to bring 46kg plus 8kg carry on plus a laptop.

You brought almost as much as I weigh!!

Choccie Lover wrote: »

I've always booked flights through the Expedia.co.uk website, but I've read on this forum (I think) that if you go through the American site, you can get it cheaper. Not sure on that though.

I got a flight from Seoul to Tokyo, stayed 5 days there and then a flight from there to Dublin, via London.

This cost $600 on expedia USA, as opposed to €1350 as quoted on the expedia Ireland site.

HenryChinaski wrote: »

Anyone know if the medical examination currently includes testing for weed? I smoked right up to my departure last year and had no issues but now I'm having trouble finding a definitive answer on the cannibinoid test. Some people are saying yes, they are testing, others are saying don't worry about it. I have six weeks 'til my new contract starts, less than three until I go back to Korea. I'm ust trying to weigh up my options regarding whether I could get away with a few wee puffs over the next week or two??

You could just stop smoking it for a while, then you wouldn't have to worry.

Cool Running · 10-04-2012 5:04pm

HenryChinaski wrote: »

Anyone know if the medical examination currently includes testing for weed? I smoked right up to my departure last year and had no issues but now I'm having trouble finding a definitive answer on the cannibinoid test. Some people are saying yes, they are testing, others are saying don't worry about it. I have six weeks 'til my new contract starts, less than three until I go back to Korea. I'm ust trying to weigh up my options regarding whether I could get away with a few wee puffs over the next week or two??

Not sure if it tests for weed but if it does and you are caught with it in your system then you are really f***ed! Unfortunately I seen a friend get caught with some of it in their system.

Losing your job and contract will be the least of your worries. Your in Korea and they are very strict on any drugs, you will basically have no rights and im not exaggerating.

As cloneslad said you could stop smoking it and not worry

Andy!! · 10-04-2012 6:28pm

Surely you smoke to relax? I'm assuming that's why people smoke pot. But, this is causing you worry, because there might be an impending drugs test that you have to take.

See where I'm going with this?

I was reading a Korean guide book in the library today, Lonely Planet's one I believe, and it basically stated Busanians are brash and some negative things besides hah. Anyone that's ever been there felt the same way?

Japan has a month long tourist rail pass that's a lot cheaper for tourists, so they can get around and see the whole country. It has to be bought outside of Japan of course. Does Korea have something similar to this?

Also is this a real IMAX screen in Busan? http://www.bigmoviezone.com/txshows/theaters/index.html?uniq=915
The Dark Knight Rises is coming out this summer

Tefl in South Korea

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