If you've gone back to the beginning of this blog, you will see that the process for getting out here is not an easy one. There is a lot of waiting, a lot of paperwork, physical exams, security checks, red tape and more waiting. You have to be pretty determined to make it to Kwaj the first time. (Retreads have a much easier time getting out here the second or third time. Or more.)
Surprisingly, even though it takes a long time and there is plenty of information to be had about what it's really like, sometimes people get here, take one look and leave as soon as they can. I had heard rumors about this and thought it was an exaggeration but it's happened since I got here. A twenty something guy took an IT job here and was gone within 3 days! 3 DAYS! There are all kinds of rumors about why he left, I have no idea what the true story is on it but let me tell you it was a very costly decision on his part.
The way I understand it, if you leave before at least one year of your contract is fulfilled you have to reimburse the company for the security check, the medical exam and blood tests you take, the cost of your ticket to get here, the cost of shipping your household goods here and back, and your plane ticket home. This is a LOT of money. Plus you don't have a job and you get to tell your next employer that you didn't meet your contractual agreement.
In order to avoid any expenses on your part, you have to complete the full two years. (This actually varies depending on which company you work for here. Some are only one year contracts.)
So please, if you have any doubts about whether you can be away from your friends and family and pets or if you really enjoy eating in restaurants, or can't live without your Internet (or Internet games) for at least a year, DON'T DO IT! Unless of course you have plenty of money to spend and don't mind having an entire island speculating on what made you leave and why you came in the first place.
2 comments:
If you hit the 50% mark (1 year) of your initial contract or later, you're only liable for the return trip and moving expenses, as far as I know. And KRS will collect!
I've also heard of similar stories of a guy who took one look out the door of the Continental aircraft and turned around, never setting foot on Kwaj soil. Unlikely that would happen, though, since there's no way to buy a ticket on the spot for an onward journey to Guam if Kwaj was your original destination. More than likely the guy made a beeline to the Continental ticket office - if it was open - and bought the return on Air Mike 956 the following day.
Estimate about $600 each way from Hono to Kwaj, and costs vary on the trip from Hono back to the point of origin, probably another $600-$1000. Plus the shipping of household goods - if they were on the way they get turned around freight collect when the barge docks. That's probably the more expensive part - about $3000 each way. In all, it's at least about $8000 or so for both ways.
Thanks for posting your blog. I'm in the military and have been to Kwaj twice (only for brief stops on the way to Bikini) and absolutly love the Marshall Isalnds!
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