So, after noticing that people have hit up my blog because of The Arrival Store google search, I decided to touch up on that.
I got to Jeonju University and nothing is here for me. I think it's because I might've had to tell them what I wanted (even though they listed things that they would bring me in the package). I needed to pay an additional $150 for a deposit for the cellphone, which I didn't. After doing additional research, I found out that there are way better plans out here in SoKo. I contacted the Arrival Store and they told me that it was fine if I opted out on the cellphone.
I guess I'll just have to give them my address when I find out where I live and do a Pt. 3!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
TESOL CERTIFICATE
After stalking DHL for the past week (I had the window up and would just refresh it every hour or so), it finally came!
I was so nervous that my TESOL wouldn't reach me on time and I wouldn't get paid extra but YAY! I literally sat by my door, until 3 PM rolled around and my friend saw the truck pull up. The delivery man rang the door bell and I pretended that I had a life and took my time to answer it. HAPPY.
Now I am waiting at my other friend's until 5 AM to get a ride to the airport.
I was so nervous that my TESOL wouldn't reach me on time and I wouldn't get paid extra but YAY! I literally sat by my door, until 3 PM rolled around and my friend saw the truck pull up. The delivery man rang the door bell and I pretended that I had a life and took my time to answer it. HAPPY.
Now I am waiting at my other friend's until 5 AM to get a ride to the airport.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
THE ARRIVAL STORE
I mentioned The Arrival Store before.
Here, I can order a bunch of stuff online that will get sent to me once I get to South Korea. I can get a cellphone right away (instead of waiting 3 weeks after I get my Alien Registration Card). They will give certain things right away (like a transformer) and then will ship my other needs (pillow, sheets, duvet, water filter) to my place when I find out my address. This way, it will save me a lot of room in my luggage and time.
I decided to make a sort of huge purchase. =)
Here, I can order a bunch of stuff online that will get sent to me once I get to South Korea. I can get a cellphone right away (instead of waiting 3 weeks after I get my Alien Registration Card). They will give certain things right away (like a transformer) and then will ship my other needs (pillow, sheets, duvet, water filter) to my place when I find out my address. This way, it will save me a lot of room in my luggage and time.
I decided to make a sort of huge purchase. =)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
E-2 IS READY
Went onto the Korean Embassy website to check the status of my Visa.
It's ready for pick up.
I'm going to book my flight right now.
It's ready for pick up.
I'm going to book my flight right now.
Monday, February 7, 2011
TEFL MARK
*drum roll please* I passed!
(I was super impressed with the company that I did this course with, they were so quick and helpful)
I had to fill out a small Word document of my name, address and if I wanted it to say TEFL or TESOL. I tried doing my research and was uncertain... I decided to go with TESOL just so I could use that in Canada as well (I hope).
I also opted for the Express Mail which is an extra $50, but it is worth it for me because I need it to get to me ASAP.
So happy! One less thing to worry about!
(I was super impressed with the company that I did this course with, they were so quick and helpful)
I had to fill out a small Word document of my name, address and if I wanted it to say TEFL or TESOL. I tried doing my research and was uncertain... I decided to go with TESOL just so I could use that in Canada as well (I hope).
I also opted for the Express Mail which is an extra $50, but it is worth it for me because I need it to get to me ASAP.
So happy! One less thing to worry about!
WAITING PROCESS
So I am here freaking out because I can't book my flight until I get my E-2 (says Rowan), but now he wants me to book it. I really don't know what to do.
I want to arrive there a day earlier, because I am crazy like that. I'll keep you posted on what I plan to do.
In the meantime, to make myself freak out less, I:
- joined an EPIK facebook group so I can read everything
- am completing a 15 hour online pre-EPIK course
- catch my blog up
- hang out with my friends one last time
- am wondering if I should make a huge purchase at TheArrivalStore
I should start packing but it is a mess up in here, so I will save that for tomorrow.
I want to arrive there a day earlier, because I am crazy like that. I'll keep you posted on what I plan to do.
In the meantime, to make myself freak out less, I:
- joined an EPIK facebook group so I can read everything
- am completing a 15 hour online pre-EPIK course
- catch my blog up
- hang out with my friends one last time
- am wondering if I should make a huge purchase at TheArrivalStore
I should start packing but it is a mess up in here, so I will save that for tomorrow.
I received my Contract and Notice of Appointment mid-day on February 1st. (I was out and didn't have access to it).
On February 2nd, I was snowed in, so I read and signed everything. I prepared my documents so that I could bus down to the Korean Embassy the next day. This is what I brought to process my E-2 Visa:
- My passport
- A photocopy of my passport
- A passport photo (so I had to hop into a photobooth again)
- A photocopy of my notarized & consulated CRC
- A photocopy of my notarized & consulated diploma
- A sealed copy of my transcripts (mine didn't have a sticker on the envelope and the girl had a mini-freak out on me)
- A filled out E-2 Visa Application form (Rowan sent me one that was partially filled out for me)
- A filled out Consuls Checklist
- $55
On the 3rd, this is what I did and am now currently waiting for my E-2 to be processed.
On February 2nd, I was snowed in, so I read and signed everything. I prepared my documents so that I could bus down to the Korean Embassy the next day. This is what I brought to process my E-2 Visa:
- My passport
- A photocopy of my passport
- A passport photo (so I had to hop into a photobooth again)
- A photocopy of my notarized & consulated CRC
- A photocopy of my notarized & consulated diploma
- A sealed copy of my transcripts (mine didn't have a sticker on the envelope and the girl had a mini-freak out on me)
- A filled out E-2 Visa Application form (Rowan sent me one that was partially filled out for me)
- A filled out Consuls Checklist
- $55
On the 3rd, this is what I did and am now currently waiting for my E-2 to be processed.
TEFL
I am such a slacker.
Remember that TEFL course I took? I finished my lessons by the end of August but just didn't want to write my exam in case I failed it. I realized that I had until February 2nd to write it and I didn't want to do it on the 1st because it was my birthday.
On the 31st of January, I woke up and tackled this beast. It was fairly easy (especially if I had wrote it in September when everything was still fresh). I hope I passed it, it took me more than 8 hours (although I might've taken slacking breaks in between)!
I think I might've messed up though because it takes 10 days to mark and another 3 weeks for my certificate to get mailed to me (3 working days if I wanted to go the express route + $50). I need my certificate during training, which is on the 17th of February. The math makes this one a little bit impossible, so I think I won't get paid as much.
Oh well.
Remember that TEFL course I took? I finished my lessons by the end of August but just didn't want to write my exam in case I failed it. I realized that I had until February 2nd to write it and I didn't want to do it on the 1st because it was my birthday.
On the 31st of January, I woke up and tackled this beast. It was fairly easy (especially if I had wrote it in September when everything was still fresh). I hope I passed it, it took me more than 8 hours (although I might've taken slacking breaks in between)!
I think I might've messed up though because it takes 10 days to mark and another 3 weeks for my certificate to get mailed to me (3 working days if I wanted to go the express route + $50). I need my certificate during training, which is on the 17th of February. The math makes this one a little bit impossible, so I think I won't get paid as much.
Oh well.
CONFIRMATION
I was getting super antsy. I sat around waiting, and waiting.
I obviously freak out to Rowan because that's what I do. He reassured me that things would be fine.
Sure enough, he emails me on the 31st and tells me that Chungbuk has confirmed my placement. What. Up.
I obviously freak out to Rowan because that's what I do. He reassured me that things would be fine.
Sure enough, he emails me on the 31st and tells me that Chungbuk has confirmed my placement. What. Up.
PLACEMENT
On the 17th on January, I received this email:
"Hi there,
I am easily stressed, I couldn't make up my mind. I tried researching these provinces, calling my Korean friends and asking them, but nothing seemed to help. I noticed that Chungbuk was closer to Seoul and Gyeongbuk was closer to Busan. I picked Chungbuk.
So here I am, knowing that I am supposed to leave around the 16th-19th of February, finally with some sort of knowledge of where I will be.
"Hi there,
EPIK today contacted my office wanting to place you in one of the two remaining provinces as these are the only locations that still need teachers.
Chungbuk or Gyeongbuk
If you want to take one of these provinces, EPIk will place you there.
If not, you may go on a waiting list for one of the locations you originally requested. There would be no guarantee of placement in those locations though.
Your last option is to wait for the August intake when your application can simply be transferred over to.
Please let me know ASAP"I am easily stressed, I couldn't make up my mind. I tried researching these provinces, calling my Korean friends and asking them, but nothing seemed to help. I noticed that Chungbuk was closer to Seoul and Gyeongbuk was closer to Busan. I picked Chungbuk.
So here I am, knowing that I am supposed to leave around the 16th-19th of February, finally with some sort of knowledge of where I will be.
RANDOM
Rowan (my recruiter) is really helpful. I don't think that I could've done this without him. I would have almost-breakdowns and he would chat or call me on Skype or email me with helpful advice.
He chatted me one day and told me that EPIK had asked everyone for another passport photo. I was extremely stressed out because I thought I was going to be down another $80. He said a scan was just fine. Luckily, I had one laying around from trying to renew my passport (which I will blog about later) and he said it was acceptable.
Phew!
He chatted me one day and told me that EPIK had asked everyone for another passport photo. I was extremely stressed out because I thought I was going to be down another $80. He said a scan was just fine. Luckily, I had one laying around from trying to renew my passport (which I will blog about later) and he said it was acceptable.
Phew!
FEDEX DOCUMENTS PT. 2
My recruiter sends me an email 3 days later informing me that I only signed 1/3 signatures! I am soo stupid. I remember thinking, "You know, I should really review my application form", but didn't.
So, I slacked on this one a bit. I finally reprinted that form, signed all 3 signatures, stuck my last photo-booth picture on it, photocopied and sent it in. I was robbed of another $80.
So, I slacked on this one a bit. I finally reprinted that form, signed all 3 signatures, stuck my last photo-booth picture on it, photocopied and sent it in. I was robbed of another $80.
FEDEX DOCUMENTS
The next step was to mail my documents to my recruiter. Here is the list:
- A photocopy of my passport
- A photocopy of my driver's license
- A photocopy of my degree that's been notarized and consulated
- My CRC that's been notarized and consulated
- A photocopy of my CRC
- Two copies of my transcripts that are sealed
- My first reference letter
- A photocopy of my reference letter
- My second reference letter
- A photocopy of my reference letter
- My 10 page application form with my actual signature and a passport photo
- A photocopy of my 10 page application
- Two passport photos
- Proof that I am currently talking a TEFL course
$80 later, I thought everything was going to be dandy...
- A photocopy of my passport
- A photocopy of my driver's license
- A photocopy of my degree that's been notarized and consulated
- My CRC that's been notarized and consulated
- A photocopy of my CRC
- Two copies of my transcripts that are sealed
- My first reference letter
- A photocopy of my reference letter
- My second reference letter
- A photocopy of my reference letter
- My 10 page application form with my actual signature and a passport photo
- A photocopy of my 10 page application
- Two passport photos
- Proof that I am currently talking a TEFL course
$80 later, I thought everything was going to be dandy...
EPIK INTERVIEW
After electronically submitting all my documents, my recruiter informed me that I had a Skype interview with EPIK. We picked a date and time (I made sure to keep in mind the 13 hours).
My cousin told me that looks and presentation matter a lot to Koreans, so I showered and prettied myself up. I wore a dress shirt and sat there anxiously staring at my Skype for about an hour. I received a request at the exact time that we arranged and accepted it.
I was surprised at how young and cute the guy was!
He was really nice. I have a horrible memory, but here are some of the questions that he asked me:
* Tell me about yourself.
* Why do you think you'll be a good teacher
* What's my teaching philosophy
* How will I deal with home sickness
* How will I deal with culture shock
* What I think makes a good teacher and why
* Why I would make a good teacher (my qualities)
* If I had any questions for him
(I kill interviews. I just know that it's one of my strengths. I was NERVOUS, but confident. He was also so good looking, that I might've added a hint of charm. I was smiling the whole time. He was typing down my answers, but every time he would look up at the screen, he'd start smiling as well. Easy breezy.)
My rule is to always have a question for the employer.
I asked him what he thought would make a good teacher and he told me enthusiasm. I said that I have a lot of that and he told me that it was obvious. After we were done, he told me that it was take 3-5 days to notify me if I "got" the job.
I checked my email within the next 3 hours and I received a congratulatory email from my recruiter! I was ecstatic!
My cousin told me that looks and presentation matter a lot to Koreans, so I showered and prettied myself up. I wore a dress shirt and sat there anxiously staring at my Skype for about an hour. I received a request at the exact time that we arranged and accepted it.
I was surprised at how young and cute the guy was!
He was really nice. I have a horrible memory, but here are some of the questions that he asked me:
* Tell me about yourself.
* Why do you think you'll be a good teacher
* What's my teaching philosophy
* How will I deal with home sickness
* How will I deal with culture shock
* What I think makes a good teacher and why
* Why I would make a good teacher (my qualities)
* If I had any questions for him
(I kill interviews. I just know that it's one of my strengths. I was NERVOUS, but confident. He was also so good looking, that I might've added a hint of charm. I was smiling the whole time. He was typing down my answers, but every time he would look up at the screen, he'd start smiling as well. Easy breezy.)
My rule is to always have a question for the employer.
I asked him what he thought would make a good teacher and he told me enthusiasm. I said that I have a lot of that and he told me that it was obvious. After we were done, he told me that it was take 3-5 days to notify me if I "got" the job.
I checked my email within the next 3 hours and I received a congratulatory email from my recruiter! I was ecstatic!
APPLICATION FORM
My recruiter sent us all an email informing us that applications for Spring 2011 were available. It was 10 pages (!), I had to write a 500 word essay thing on "your reasons for wanting to teach ESL in Korea, your educational philosophy and your thoughts on encountering cultural differences". It wasn't a big deal, I just whipped something up.
I went to my mall and got 4 photobooth pictures done (with a blue background - I didn't know better. I think it's safer to do it with a white one). Stuck it on my application form, scanned it all and sent it to my recruiter.
I went to my mall and got 4 photobooth pictures done (with a blue background - I didn't know better. I think it's safer to do it with a white one). Stuck it on my application form, scanned it all and sent it to my recruiter.
DEGREE & CRC #2
I didn't go to my convocation. I thought that I could just saunter into York and pick up my diploma after my graduation date. Turns out I was wrong. I had to wait an extra month and a half. I was stressed out the whole time because the application is a first come first serve process and I didn't want to miss out.
I could finally pick it up and instantly made photocopies - I don't think I mentioned this before but photocopy/scan EVERYTHING.
I went to my town hall because I thought that they did free notarizing, but I was wrong. Instead, the lady gave me a list of all the lawyers in my town that did it and the price ranges.
This time, I decided to go to a cheaper lawyer. The lady was SUPER nice, she told me that her son was abroad as well and she genuinely seemed interested in what I was doing. She printed me out a letter, and had this really fancy seal on my photocopy before she stamped it. When she was done, she told me that she wasn't going to charge me and wished me the best.
I could finally pick it up and instantly made photocopies - I don't think I mentioned this before but photocopy/scan EVERYTHING.
I went to my town hall because I thought that they did free notarizing, but I was wrong. Instead, the lady gave me a list of all the lawyers in my town that did it and the price ranges.
This time, I decided to go to a cheaper lawyer. The lady was SUPER nice, she told me that her son was abroad as well and she genuinely seemed interested in what I was doing. She printed me out a letter, and had this really fancy seal on my photocopy before she stamped it. When she was done, she told me that she wasn't going to charge me and wished me the best.
NOTARZING # 1
I know 0 lawyers. With notarizing my CRC, I decided to ask my parents for some help. My mom told me of a guy and I got there and it cost me $40! I couldn't believe it. I didn't even take 2 minutes of his time.
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