Can I get a PS job in Korea with these health issues?

[writerly]

I have a minor hearing impairment (very minor; I don't have a hearing aid and it doesn't affect me in my daily life) and am on medication for hypothyroidism (the medication works perfectly, and it's a very minor and common condition in North America -- it's just a matter of taking a pill each day; without the pill I'd just feel a little tired and have a hard time keeping off weight). Will these "health conditions" bar me from getting a PS job in South Korea?

Some back story:

I just found out that the Ulsan MOE isn't interested in pursuing my application, but they didn't say why. I disclosed the health issues above. Other basic info: I have a Master's degree (not in English), I have some teaching experience (as a TA during my Master's and in numerous workshops, and I have a diploma in university teaching), and I'm a bit older than the early-twenty-somethings they're looking for.

The reason I suspect the rejection was due to health issues is that last month, through a different recruiter, I had applied to the Incheon and Jeolla MOEs, and was rejected from both because of health issues. The recruiter told me that Incheon was concerned about the thyroid, and that while Jeolla was OK with the thyroid, they didn't like "the combination of health issues listed." (I had disclosed more things in the Incheon and Jeolla applications - a minor dust allergy and a potential health issue not yet diagnosed - because I thought you had to disclose every possible thing since they threaten to kick you out of Korea at your own expense if they find out anything later.) At this point a friend now working in Korea told me a story he'd heard about this recruiter not being very good with health issues -- that a woman with diabetes applied through them and was told the same thing, but later she applied to EPIK through another recruiter and was hired. This is why I switched to the other recruiter.

The first recruiter told me (I don't know if this is true) that no MOE in Korea will hire anyone with thyroid issues, except for Jeolla province. Does anyone know if this is true?

(I have not applied to EPIK [long story, related to switching recruiters], but my application is on a wait list in case they re-open applications.)

Would it be possible for me to get a hagwon job with these health issues? I'd much rather work in a PS, but at this point I'm willing to consider other options.

[curds]

Hey,

Do you mind sending me a pm with the recruiter you went with? I want to check if its the same one I went with.

I don't think the recruiters or EPIK/GEPIK etc is very tolerant about health issues. I had tuberculosis about 8 years ago and a friend of mine also has minor but regrettably noticeable health issue and we both didn't even get a chance to be interviewed.

I'm currently hoping my current bosses nephew can help us get into a good Hagwon. I would however have liked public school due to the security reasons, but with applications being rejected due to any yes in the medical self assessment I don't foresee that happening this year.

If you get into a PS with disclosing your health issues please let us know.

I thought the whole reason besides exposing the kids to English was exposing them to diversity and thus fostering tolerance and positive attitudes towards tourists!

[#basedcowboyshirt]

I have stomach issues for which I have to take prescription medicatio that isn't available in Korea. I just didn't mention it and brought a year's supply.

I also have a mild hearing impairment and terrible eyesight. Again, things I just didn't mention.

[Jozigirl]

I have a minor hearing impairment (very minor; I don't have a hearing aid and it doesn't affect me in my daily life) and am on medication for hypothyroidism (the medication works perfectly, and it's a very minor and common condition in North America -- it's just a matter of taking a pill each day; without the pill I'd just feel a little tired and have a hard time keeping off weight). Will these "health conditions" bar me from getting a PS job in South Korea?

I could've written this post! I work in Jeollabuk-do but was employed through EPIK.  My application - although "stronger than most" - was initially rejected because of health issues (I'd had a thyroidectomy 6 months before my application).  However, I was placed within two weeks after the main September intake so you can definitely apply through EPIK and will hopefully get a job through direct placement - when you're interviewed for a specific job at a specific school rather than the EPIK program in general.

I wouldn't disclose the undiagnosed health issue or the dust allergy but to give you an idea of what my application for EPIK looked like: I am 29, have a Masters degree in Second Language Studies (Linguistics) and 8 years teaching experience (4 of them at university level) in addition to having run a university writing centre and bridging program for 3 years.  I have epilepsy, bad eyesight, asthma, hypothyroidism (1 tablet a day after surgery), high blood pressure and IBS.  Since being in Korea, I've discovered that I have Fibromyalgia, Scoliosis and a shellfish allergy (learned the hard way!) and they're still probably going to renew my contract.  I've also had chronic gastritis since February.

List the important things, bring enough thyroid medication for a year, gloss over the issues that don't affect your ability to do the job on a day-to-day basis and you should be okay.  You might have your application rejected initially but there are a lot of people who do a runner, don't show up or pull out at the last minute and those positions are then filled by direct placement.  Apply to EPIK directly.  If you application is still unsuccessful, start looking for hagwon jobs - you shouldn't have any trouble finding one.

Good luck!

[teacher_del]

I have hypothyroidism and cluster headaches.  I was hired by SMOE through EPIK in the general autumn intake.

[jwoon]

I work at a public school now.  I have Microtia which is a when someone has a deformed ear and so I can't hear out of my right ear.  I haven't had any trouble getting a public school job.  I currently work in Busan and loving my school.

[Jozigirl]

As a side note, my first two choices were Busan and Ulsan.  I mentioned on my application that I wanted to be in a coastal town and would prefer a city to the countrside but was open to any location.  I ended up in the 'countryside' in a little town next to the sea (although it's industrial coast not beaches) but it's a great place to live.  I'm on the border of Jeollabuk-do and whatever the province between here and Seoul is called - I can never remember how to pronounce it  ;)

Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Ulsan and Jeju are the most popular choices as many people are not prepared to work anywhere else.  If you're prepared to accept other provinces, you'll probably find EPIK more flexible too.  Although I live in the south, Seoul is only a 2.5 hour bus ride and more than feasible for a day trip.  Busan is only 5 hours from me despite being the opposite coast to where I live.  Jeju is an hour flight from Seoul.  Korea is small enough that no matter where you're located - apart from Jeju - it's easy to travel most weekends.

[travelinpantsgirl]

Unless your health issues are going to interfere with your job and working relationships, you should not mention anything. I was strongly advised against this. Instead just bring enough medication with you. Get a different recruiter for EPIK/GEPIK/Jeollanamdo and reapply at a different intake. In anyone asks (because they just happened to refer back to your old app, which is extremely unlikely) you were misdiagnosed and you're fine. I learned this from applying for Peace Corps. Only admit to things that will surface as a problem later.

[gilbert.a.h]

Well, you shouldn't tell them your health issues. Period.

Reapply and apply directly to the individual MOE/POE offices. If I were you, I'd apply to Jeolla because they have the best work package. If you aren't a mega-city fan and you want to try something different with true democratic patriots, I would try Jeolla.

I have met so many foreigners here who have health issues, and some of them extremely serious, but they got in because they lied. If your medical issues don't show up on the medical exam, you should be ok. The only thing I would worry about is how bad is your hypothyroidism? Can it be detected on a blood test if you take your meds? That is what might get you... I guess...

Anyways, good luck!

[leabea87]

Here's my story:

I went to Vegas had some Guacamole and soon thereafter, a very bad allergic reaction to something in it. I discerned that I might be allergic to avocado. On my EPIK application, I put this information down as a possibility and my recruiter essentially erased it. I also told this to the guy that interviewed me for the exact same reason you disclosed your health problems. He was REALLY concerned. I remember him saying that "your food allergy maybe a problem as Korean food is often made with avocado." It definitely is not! Nonetheless, I was accepted into the program like a few weeks later. My point is, always follow your recruiter and it's better to not to disclose anything. Although you'd learn almost immediately after arriving in Korea that there is no concept of privacy, so you're co-teachers will probably find out anyway. My concern with you is that your health problems are both numerous and not so basic. If I were you, I'd try and get placed near a major city just in case you need a really good hospital for some reason. Have you considered this at all?

[ave, lucifer]

Here's my story: I remember him saying that "your food allergy maybe a problem as Korean food is often made with avocado."

One can only dream

[writerly]

Reapply and apply directly to the individual MOE/POE offices. If I were you, I'd apply to Jeolla because they have the best work package. If you aren't a mega-city fan and you want to try something different with true democratic patriots, I would try Jeolla.

I have met so many foreigners here who have health issues, and some of them extremely serious, but they got in because they lied. If your medical issues don't show up on the medical exam, you should be ok. The only thing I would worry about is how bad is your hypothyroidism? Can it be detected on a blood test if you take your meds? That is what might get you... I guess...

Can you apply directly to the individual MOE/POE offices? I thought they all went through recruiters. Is it wise to re-apply for fall intake -- wouldn't they recognize my application or still have it on file? Re: Jeolla, when I applied I did a lot of research on the southern province and LOVED the sound of it. I'd rather a city than a small town, but if I had to be in a small town that sounds like the best province to be!

My thyroid was tested in January of this year and was in normal range with taking the medication. So even if they tested me for it, if they didn't know about the meds, they would think it's healthy. The "potential medical issue" could show up on the health exam, I suppose -- it's borderline high blood pressure. But I've been working to bring it down through diet and exercise, and my naturopathic doctor is confident that we can get it down before I go. Even if it remains where it is, he says that it's not something that would affect me in the next few years anyway unless I am irresponsible (which I am not) -- it's more something that will become a problem in ten years if left as is.

My concern with you is that your health problems are both numerous and not so basic. If I were you, I'd try and get placed near a major city just in case you need a really good hospital for some reason. Have you considered this at all?

Do my "health problems" sound serious? The minor hearing impairment would never send me to the hospital, though I may ask people to repeat something from time-to-time. The dust allergy is also very minor - I only noticed it when I worked in an archives, and I just looked like I had a cold. The thyroid is fine - my medication works perfectly and even when I was undiagnosed I just felt tired and gained weight. It is not something that would send me to a hospital. Even the "undiagnosed health issue," borderline high blood pressure, shouldn't affect me over the next few years unless I'm irresponsible (which I'm not), according to my naturopathic doctor, and hopefully that will be back in the normal range before I go.

[elzoog]

I would say that if it is a health issue that you can easily take care of, then simply don't mention it.   Find a doctor in Korea that will give you the correct medication and don't bother the school with it too much.  Koreans tend to make mountains out of mole hills when it comes to health issues.   

However, you need to discern whether or not your health issue will seriously effect you doing your job.   If it will, then don't do what I suggested.   Instead, stay out of Korea and find something else to do.

[Jozigirl]

The only thing I would worry about is how bad is your hypothyroidism? Can it be detected on a blood test if you take your meds? That is what might get you... I guess...

Thyroid issues won't show up in a regular blood test - you have test the thyroid specifically and even then the results can come back normal.  I had hypothyroidism for several years and cancerous growths and it was only when my doctor did a needle test on a lump in my throat that they discovered I had hypothyroidism.  It's a manageable condition once your meds are stable. 

[leabea87]

From MY experience during my interview with EPIK and having lived in Korea for a little over four months now, yes; your health issues are going to be viewed as not so ordinary. But you already know this! My advice to you is this: do not disclose any health information whatsoever. I think your biggest mistake was to disclose your dust allergy. Right after winter, much of Korea is affected by yellow dust from China. A lot of my friends have gotten sick from it. And if you have health issues already (usually asthma and allergies) it'll only make them worse. If they find out about your health conditions, it'll be once you've already arrived. Your goal is to get to Korea, is it not? I am a very honest person and it kills me to advise you to be dishonest. But in this economy, you gotta do what you gotta do. I wish you the best!

[writerly]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! To sum up, it seems like it's very common not to disclose health issues, and that many people in fact advise against it, unless something is going to come up later or interfere with teaching. I honestly don't think anything I have would interfere with teaching. I do think my co-workers will figure out at some point that I am a bit hard of hearing, since I will ask people to repeat themselves from time-to-time, but I think that's pretty normal. There are a lot of people with undiagnosed hearing loss (just from listening to loud music!).

I think I feel comfortable not disclosing the medication I take for the thyroid. I can take a year's worth with me, and maybe put it in an Ibuprofen bottle in case customs searches me.

My advice to you is this: do not disclose any health information whatsoever. I think your biggest mistake was to disclose your dust allergy. Right after winter, much of Korea is affected by yellow dust from China. A lot of my friends have gotten sick from it. And if you have health issues already (usually asthma and allergies) it'll only make them worse. If they find out about your health conditions, it'll be once you've already arrived. Your goal is to get to Korea, is it not? I am a very honest person and it kills me to advise you to be dishonest. But in this economy, you gotta do what you gotta do. I wish you the best!

Thank you for this. I am a very honest person, too, and I am finding this process painful, but it does make a lot of sense considering my experiences. I think you're totally right about the yellow dust season -- I hadn't thought about that!

If they find out about my health conditions once I'm already there, will they kick me out of the program? That is the threat that they make, and it's why I disclosed so much originally. Is it an empty threat?

[travelinpantsgirl]

I can take a year's worth with me, and maybe put it in an Ibuprofen bottle in case customs searches me.

This isn't necessary if you have a prescription. Your medicine is your business and Korean customs doesn't care as long as they are not narcotics or illegal substances AND you have a prescription. In fact, I'd hazard to say hiding it in another bottle looks suspect.

[firebreaker]

If you want a job here, don't say anything about poor health, or any type of issues. If you do, they  will not hire you period. The best policy here is, "If they don't specifically ask, then it doesn't exist."

If you have any health issues that are under control and don't adversely affect your ability to do this job, then you have no health issues at all.

Some people will agree with me, some won't, but if you want to work here, any sort of problems, minor or serious that you "mention" will prevent you from getting a job here.

[leabea87]

Their thinking was probably this: your other health conditions although very minor when treated with the proper medication, may in fact become exacerbated by the yellow dust. What they want is an employee that is going to be able to work consistently. Anything less than that and they won't invest in you. As long as your conditions don't interfere with your work, your prospective employers' "termination of employment" is an empty threat. When it comes to health issues, don't involve the people you work with (word gets around in these schools let me tell you!). I have a friend at work who essentially does my job at night time. Thus, our relationship outside of work is stronger than our relationship at work due to conflicting work schedules. We talk about everything. And when I need medicine for something as silly as cramps, she's the only person I'll go with. Just make good friends with a Korean!  You'll feel so much better! No worries chica!

[Jozigirl]

Re: Jeolla, when I applied I did a lot of research on the southern province and LOVED the sound of it. I'd rather a city than a small town, but if I had to be in a small town that sounds like the best province to be!

The "potential medical issue" could show up on the health exam, I suppose -- it's borderline high blood pressure. But I've been working to bring it down through diet and exercise, and my naturopathic doctor is confident that we can get it down before I go. Even if it remains where it is, he says that it's not something that would affect me in the next few years anyway unless I am irresponsible (which I am not) -- it's more something that will become a problem in ten years if left as is.

Some people naturally have higher blood pressures - most of my family tests in the higher blood pressure range than what is considered normal but we don't have to yet take medication so I doubt this will be a problem.  I wouldn't disclose this though.  They'll take your blood pressure here and tell you that it's higher than it should be but they won't take it any further.  If you acknowledge it on your application, they'll think it's worse than it currently is. Koreans are rather hypochondriac-like with health - everything's a potential disease.  I burst a blood vessel in my eye and everyone told me I had a serious eye disease because my eye was a little redder.

As for Jeolla province: there are two - Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do.  Both are considered rural provinces although they're really pretty.  There are also major cites in each province obviously.  I live in Jeollabuk-do which is the second most souther province on the West coast; Jeollanam-do is the most southern one.  Jeollanam-do has it's own language program but I think it also recruits through EPIK; Jeollabuk-do definitely recruits through EPIK.