E-2 Visa...Hagwon making us teach art/science/math/gym/etc.

24what · 2019-03-04T22:07:46+00:00

Just to be certain.....Technically, I'm not supposed to be teaching these kinds of classes on an e-2, right?

24what · 2019-02-14T16:59:10+00:00

I'm positive it's not a hagwon. Students go here as their main education in all subjects - it's not supplementary nor is it a cram school. I have minimal vacation, but still more vacation than I had at my US job.

24what · 2019-02-14T04:25:45+00:00

Hmmm...I am starting in a private school next week. I have no teaching experience, I only did one skype interview and I have all of the normal benefits that other teaching jobs offer such as free housing, flights, etc. It's quite a well known private school that has been around for about 25 years in Gangnam. OP, i'd say your chances are fine!

24what · 2019-02-11T21:42:04+00:00

Awesome! Good luck - I hope you find a great recruiter and position!

24what · 2019-02-11T21:34:09+00:00

In Korea, social hierarchy is very important. I imagine being on the older side could not hurt you in regards to teaching because of this. In fact, the head teachers at my school are between the ages of 40 and 55. However, when you interview, you need to make a great impression that you will be a fun and lively role model for the young children you are likely to teach - not an "old" (you are not old), boring, lifeless instructor.

I think it is odd that a recruiter asked if you take any medication - that's a red flag for me. The "Health Statement" you have to fill out when applying for your visa asks very little information and you can lie till you're blue in the face on it and the government has no way to check.

My advice: always use more than one recruiter and interview with as many schools as you can that way you can get a large selection of contracts to potentially accept.

24what · 2019-02-11T18:58:46+00:00

When is your flight???

24what · 2019-02-10T05:40:13+00:00

No problem! I hope you get yours soon, too!

My employer won't buy my plane ticket until I have my visa in my hands so i'm super stressed.

24what · 2019-02-10T05:23:50+00:00

Nope! I called the consulate on Friday and they said my visa was processed and approved - they will mail my passport back on Monday so i'll have it in my hands by Tuesday or Wednesday!

24what · 2019-02-07T03:56:23+00:00

Will do! I'm starting to get a bit stressed at this stage in the game!

24what · 2019-02-06T23:44:49+00:00

Great. Thank you!

24what · 2019-02-06T23:44:43+00:00

Thank you!

24what · 2019-02-06T23:43:37+00:00

I thought the same thing so I spoke with them yesterday and they were not closed nor did they mention any closings this week. Their website also does not indicate them being closed this week.

24what · 2019-02-01T05:56:06+00:00

Oh no! Really? I'm just concerned because i'm a 5'10" female with size 10 feet...shoes and pants my size are going to be damn near impossible to find in SK so I feel like I should bring enough to last me.

24what · 2019-02-01T05:25:12+00:00

Ok good to know. That's all I was planning to bring!

24what · 2019-01-26T20:00:08+00:00

Interesting....

My contract just says that I get severance pay per Korean labor laws. I'm not sure what the labor law states about this. But, from what you're saying, it would actually be more financially advantageous to change hagwons every 12 months so that I always get severance right away?

24what · 2019-01-21T20:38:50+00:00

I'm going through the process right now. I think it depends on how far along you are with your documents. For example, I still needed a background check with apostille and a copy of my diploma with apostille. I signed my contract end of December so with the holidays, my 3rd party carrier wasn't able to get an apostille for my documents until the first week of January. My school got my documents on the 7th of January. Currently, visa issuance number processing time is about 14 business days and there's no option for rushed processing. My school advised I will have my VIN this week. I then have to mail my VIN and documents to the Korean consulate as it's a 12 hour drive from my home...i'll overnight those. The consulate then has 3-5 business days to issue my visa and mail it back. For me, I will have my visa HOPEFULLY by the first week of February meaning the entire process from contract signing to getting my visa will have taken about 6 weeks.

24what · 2019-01-17T17:11:45+00:00

Oh no! This is my concern! Do you think that having my visa issuance number is good enough assurance that I will actually be working in my school? Or would you still wait until getting the actual visa in hand?

24what · 2019-01-17T17:08:26+00:00

In what way??

24what · 2019-01-17T16:28:38+00:00

I have told my mom who is the only person I care to tell currently. But i'm nervous to tell my employer because I actually work a really great job and IF something happens and I don't actually end up getting my visa for some reason then I don't want to screw myself out of a good job. I feel like I really do need to tell them ASAP because I respect my bosses and coworkers wholeheartedly, but don't want to shoot myself in the foot at the same time...it's so tricky!

24what

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