When Murphy's Law Takes Over Your Life
Maybe it happened almost overnight or perhaps it's been gradually building up to an unbearable point. Things just aren't the same any longer and you want out. Maybe you have an overbearing boss who's started following you everywhere. Maybe one of your co-workers is making your life absolutely miserable. Or maybe you aren't getting paid or being forced to work a 40-50 hour work week. Whatever the case is, you've just got to get out because no matter what you've tried, you just can't solve the problem yourself. So now what do you do? 1. Make sure YOU, not your school, have your important documents like your passport, transcripts, alien card, and verified copy of diploma. 2. Start packing. You want to clear every last belonging out of your apartment. 3. Call a fellow foreigner who has some floor space you and your stuff can crash on for awhile. 4. Get out and just disappear.
		Compromising and Going Back
If you think there is any possibility that you might go back if certain changes go into effect immediately, then call your boss to discuss it. But, first wait two to three days. Let them go into a full panic so they'll be more reasonable during renegotiation time. Your boss will probably want to meet with you in person to talk. If you do this, don't go alone. Bring a foreign friend and a Korean friend. Actually, bring as many friends as will go with you. It's good to show you have the support and backing of many friends. Don't meet at your school, your apartment, or anyplace like that. A busy cafe, especially one that caters to foreigners is best. Bring paper and pen and tell your boss to bring his stamp. Get every promise in writing--in Korean and in English. Have him date, sign, and stamp it. You keep the copy. Make photocopies later and keep the original in a safety deposit box. Only take basic necessities back to your apartment just in case things get bad again and you get locked out of your apartment or something.
				Cutting All Ties
	If you are out and nothing can induce you to go back, then you have two options. You can give up on Korea entirely and head to Japan or Taiwan or you can try to stay in Korea. Because you've broken your contract by leaving, you cannot legally obtain another job. All your boss has to do is make a phone call and the immigration police will hunt you down and deport you. Get in touch with PCCS. If your school or director did the tiniest little thing, PCCS will find it and have you making a visa run to Japan and starting a new job in almost any city you want in no time. If your situation was bad, but technically legal, PCCS will try to get a letter of release from your director so you can get another job in Korea. Without a letter of release from your boss, ou cannot get another job....unless you've worked in Korea for a year. If so, PCCS will find a university professor willing to sponsor you and students will be calling you "Professor" before you know it. For quick reference, PCCS will charge you nothing if they find you full-time work in a hagwon because the hagwon will pay them a finder's fee. If they place you in a university, you must pay them half of your first month's paycheck because universities don't pay finder's fees. Trust me; it's well worth it because they pave the way for you to enter a new job stress free. Also, universities pay more, so you'll be making more money anyway.