Tiara, you definitely got yourself into a bad situation, or, rather, you were lured into a bad situation. Of course you realize that you're not the first and probably won't be the last. This begs the question of how they managed to lure you in the first place. Please don't misconstrue that as meaning I don't sympathize with your situation; however, I'm hoping you can provide more information that may prevent this from happening to someone else.

I'm also curious about what your follow through actions were. Did you notify the local authorities? When you got home, did you notify the State Department?

If all the travesties committed against teachers in Korea and elsewhere were given thorough attention, not just by local authorities but also by our own governments, we might begin to see a positive change. Imagine a situation wherein a tourist is subjected to criminal activity in a foreign country. Generally, it raises quite an outcry. So, another question is begged. Why are EFL teachers seemingly shuffled aside as if their story is not quite important enough?

On the surface it seems quite logical. A visitor to country X or a foreign employee in country X has the right to expect fair and civilized treatment. Unfortunately, that is not always the case; moreover, it seems as though EFL teachers are a forgotten element and somehow undeserving of the same consideration that a traveler would expect.

Here's another question, more to the point. Are our governments unconcerned about our safety and well being? If they are concerned, where is the pressure they should be putting on these governments in Asia to ensure that their citizens are treated well? Is their a prevailing attitude that simply accepts that if one wants to take risks, then one should expect to deal with the consequences. Why, then, should teaching abroad be considered a "risk occupation?"

Perhaps I'm naive and not looking at the diplomatic aspect. Generally, countries strive to get along with each other. Thus the need for diplomacy. Does diplomacy mean hiding your head in the sand?

Well, Tiara. Yours is a serious matter. It shouldn't be shuffled aside - by anyone. If I were you, I wouldn't back off for a moment. I would exhaust all my options. Being American, I would first contact my local congressman. If he/she didn't follow through, I'd demand to know why, and I'd keep climbing the ladder until I found someone willing to take action. If that action was dilluted for the sake of diplomacy, I still wouldn't give up. I'd write articles for local and national newspapers and other media. I'd do everything I could to embarrass the Korean government into action.

There are a lot of complaints to be found here and at other similar websites. I'm beginning to see it as an exercise in futility. One wonders how posters such as Turnoi and Silverboy have the patience to day in and day out post their warnings about schools and recruiters in light of the fact that their actions are inconsequential. Perhaps they will save the occasional newbie from making a big mistake, but the overall picture won't change. It won't change until governments get involved. Unfortunately, it seems that Western governments are sometimes afraid of their own shadow.