*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!
Monday, February 7, 2011
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!
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