Why Korea?

I was recently asked why I chose to go to Korea. To be honest Korea was not on my radar until recently. I always dreamed about having the opportunity to teach English overseas, but when I looked into it after I graduated in 2007 it seemed like the jobs I found paid just enough to get by. I recently reconnected with a friend, who was teaching in Korea. I began to think about the possibility of me fulfilling my dream, and I started to look into working in Korea. I found out that Korea, China, and Japan pay the most for English teachers. Japan would have been my first choice, but I didn't know of a reliable recruiting agency, and I only had the desire to visit China.

Korea is a highly developed and stable country. The cost of living is low, which means I would have the opportunity to save money. Since November 23, 2010, tension between North and South Korea have been high due to the artillery firing. Although this is concerning, it does not appear to be a threat. The U.S. government still has not placed a travel warning. For now, it seems like things have calmed down, and I hope it stays that way.

After learning more about the country I quickly fell in love with Korea and everything it has to offer. I am excited for the next year and the adventures that await me.

Why Korea?

I was recently asked why I chose to go to Korea. To be honest Korea was not on my radar until recently. I always dreamed about having the opportunity to teach English overseas, but when I looked into it after I graduated in 2007 it seemed like the jobs I found paid just enough to get by. I recently reconnected with a friend, who was teaching in Korea. I began to think about the possibility of me fulfilling my dream, and I started to look into working in Korea. I found out that Korea, China, and Japan pay the most for English teachers. Japan would have been my first choice, but I didn't know of a reliable recruiting agency, and I only had the desire to visit China.

Korea is a highly developed and stable country. The cost of living is low, which means I would have the opportunity to save money. Since November 23, 2010, tension between North and South Korea have been high due to the artillery firing. Although this is concerning, it does not appear to be a threat. The U.S. government still has not placed a travel warning. For now, it seems like things have calmed down, and I hope it stays that way.

After learning more about the country I quickly fell in love with Korea and everything it has to offer. I am excited for the next year and the adventures that await me.

10 Days and Counting

Everything is going by so fast now. I finally got my ticket purchased, which makes things more official. However, everything still seems so surreal. Maybe reality will hit me once I am in Korea haha. Everyone now knows that I will be leaving and reactions have been bitter sweet. I am starting to realize how hard it is going to say goodbye.

Last night we ran across a traditional Korean tea house in Koreatown called Hwa Sun Ji Tea House. I felt like it was a glimpse into the future. I had lotus tea and we shared the JunTong MoEum, which was a mix of Korean cookies, walnut cookie balls, and dried persimmon and walnut rolls.

Now the only thing to figure out is how I am going to be able to back for a whole year in a couple of suitcases. I will be flying with Asiana Airlines and their baggage allowance is 2 baggages not to exceed 44 lbs. each, and my carry-ons is not to exceed 22 lbs. The following is a list of things to bring that was recommended by people who live or have lived in Korea:

• Slippers: Slippers are worn in the classrooms! I wish this could be implemented everywhere
• Spices you like to cook with
• Pocket Korean/English dictionary/phrase book 
• A years worth of toothpaste: Korean toothpaste is very sugary 
• A years worth of deodorant: I guess they don't use it
• Enough clothes for all seasons it will be hard to find clothes since Koreans are so small
• Enough shoes too for the same reason
• Walking shoes
• Not too much white clothes for the summer because of the unpredictable rain 
• Wool thermos for the cold
• Point it: Traveller's Language Kit (book) 

I have been working on getting everything on that list for the last week. I am still waiting for some stuff to be delivered. I found the wool thermos for $34 each on Amazon. Maybe once I start packing reality will set in :) 10 days till I leave!!!

I Quit!... Well not so fast

I planned on giving my two week notice at work today, but that did not go as planned. Before I give my notice, I want to make sure I have everything squared away. What is holding me back is that I still do not have my one-way ticket to Korea.  The agency is going to book my flight and I was told they would start working on it as of last Thursday. On Monday I still had no word from them. I sent them a quick email only to be told they had more urgent flights they had to schedule, but by Tuesday morning they had sent me an itinerary. I was excited until I realized the departure date was Sunday May 29th. My earliest start date is May 30th because of my graduation. I quickly began to worry that my start date would jeopardize my new job, and adds to fact that this is not set in stone. I definitely do not want to quit my current job prematurely, but I also want to maintain a good relationship with the company and give a full 2 week notice.

After going back and forth with the recruiting agency it appears I finally have my flight scheduled. (Yay!) My tentative itinerary states I will be departing from LAX at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 30th. The flight will have no layovers, and incase you are interested a total of 5,973 miles will be traveled. (I  thought it was an interesting fact) The total travel time is 13 hours! This means I will arrive in Korea on Tuesday, May 31st at 6:10 pm. Ahh! 13 days till I leave!!!!

So tomorrow will be the big 'I QUIT' day. A little nervous about giving my notice, but also super excited! I get butterflies in my stomach every time I think about it.

In other news, I received my travel books in the mail for Thailand, Bali, and China, which cheered me up during the time of uncertainty. I also purchased a Patagonia Down With It Parka for Korea's very cold winters. I hope it comes before I leave.

I Got My Visa!!!

I received my Visa number from the school on Saturday. I still had to complete the E2 Visa process at my local Korean Consulate, which is in Los Angeles. On Monday, I called the Consulate and was advised that I did not need an appointment or an interview, so I went to the Consulate on Tuesday. My recruiter had told me I need the following: a copy of seal transcripts, the interview form, a medical statement form, one passport photo, the visa application, fee ($45), and passport for the Visa application.

When I arrived at the Consulate I had to go through a metal detector, which felt like it was just for show. My purse wasn't even searched. I then located a paper sign with the word VISA and an arrow pointing to the left. I proceed to turn the corner and there was a row of teller windows to the right. I was overwhelmed with the amount of activity that was going on to the left and did not quite understand the flow of things. I quickly ran to the security guard and asked where I needed to go for Visas. He told me I had to go the 2nd window. I got in line and there was only one person a head of me. I started to get a better look of the place and realized the window was clearly labeled with the word VISA over it.

My turn was up. The representative did not even look at me. I gave her all the paperwork. She took the Visa application and interview form and gave the rest back to me. She then mumbled something. I assumed she was asking for my passport, so I gave it to her. She finally spoke and said 45. $45 is the fee for the application, and I paid in cash. She then told me to come back tomorrow and gave me a ticket. Luckily I did read about the Visa application process online and knew I had to return the following day after 2:00.

On Wednesday I returned to the Consulate, and this time I had a better idea of what I had to do. I walked up to the window, and the same lady was sitting there. I handed her my ticket, and she gave me passport. No words were exchanged.

The who process was a lot simpler then what the recruiter had made it seemed. I spent less then 5 minuets in the consulate in the two days combined. So now I have my Visa and in 19 days I will be leaving!!! Time to get packing :)

Korean Culture Tips

I ran across the following culture tips on http://cge.ken.go.kr/eng/. Just some things to look forward to....My favorite one is number 31.

My Documents Have Arrived in Korea!!!

My documents have finally arrived in Korea. I sent them via FedEx on Friday and they arrived on Tuesday. My documents weighed a little over 1 pound and cost about $75 dollars to ship and $10 more to expedite it!!! The required documents for the GEPIK application are as follows:

• FBI Check issued within the last 6 months Notarized and Apostilled
• A copy of my B.S. Degree Notarized and Apostilled. (Original also needs to be brought to Korea)
• A copy of the M.B.A., which did not have to be Notarized or Aposstilled. (Original also needs to be brought to Korea)
• 1 set of sealed university transcripts
• Copy of the info page in my passport
• 4 Color passport photos 
• Signed copy of resume
• 2 reference letter
• Cover Page/Personal Essay
• 3 Copies of the signed Contract
• Application Copy
• Health Statement Form
• Korea Checklist

It seems like a lot of paperwork, but it really wasn't that hard to get everything. My recruiter has informed me they have sent the paper work to my future employer. The next step is to contact my nearest Korean Consulate once I receive my contract with Visa Confirmation Number. I hope all my paperwork was completed/filled out correctly, so there are no delays in getting my Visa.

My flight will not be booked until I receive my Visa. I am hoping to leave by the 30th, which means 27 days to go!!! Woot Woot!  Can't wait!