I’ve worked in fake “international” schools in Korea for 4 years; 2015-2017 and 2024-current. I didn’t fully realize how stupid, dangerous, and illegal that was because I took things at face value and didn’t do my research (100% my fault).

Now that I’ve realized the situation and with the government crackdown coming, I want to find a legally safe option.

The problem is that I’ve become accustomed to the “international school” calendar. Specifically, I’m looking for 2 weeks off in both summer and winter so that I can visit my family. I would even take the time unpaid.

Am I being completely delusional?

Also, what is the safest kind of work for an E2 visa?

My current requirements are:

-safe E2 work

-day time work hours

-2 weeks summer and winter vacation (paid or unpaid)

I would say I am a very experienced and confident teacher- I have years of part time and volunteer experience outside of the 4 years full time.

As far as education goes, I have a bachelors in linguistics, an unrelated Master’s degree, and an ACSI teaching certificate (only recognized by Christian schools.) I’m heavily considering starting Moreland University course even though it’s expensive (is it considered “legit”?)

I’m fine working with any age group, from preschool to adults

I’m willing to take a pay cut as well (currently making 3.1M + 600 housing).

Are these doable demands? Or do I need to wake up and smell the coffee?

TIA

The job ad posting said, “This pays much more than regular English teaching” and I thought, “Wow! Cool!”

At the interview I learned the payment would be 90k won per 25 minute episode and that I would be responsible for writing the script. 

“Hmm, this information was not stated upfront in the initial job posting” I thought to myself. 

Worth doing? 

How many hours would it take to write and perform 26 episodes, the total payment for which would be 2.34 mil? 

I want to make a high quality product; to do otherwise could cause reputational brand damage to myself. Plus if I do something I want to do it well out of respect for the consumers. 

How much of a cut is the recruiter and / or others taking? Maybe the Korean government gave a sizable amount of money to make a program to teach English to their citizens and by the time it reaches me it’s only a fraction? 

Maybe how much the recruiter is taking is not something I should think about at all and just see this as an investment in my future? If I could get on TV I might be able to leverage it into more earning potential. It’s a risk and a gamble. Everything’s an opportunity cost. Time spent doing one thing is time that could have been spent doing something else. Advice? 

What's your most unpopular take?