Well Folks, the time is almost here! but get this, I am supposed to fly out on the 28th.. and my Visa Interview isn't even until the 23rd! eek! So i'm totally stressing out. There is SO much to get done!

So yeah, because the Korean consulate only interviews on certain days, they couldn't get me in until the 23rd. Then it takes 2-3 days for me to get my visa and passport back in the mail. through in Christmas and a sunday and the odds of me getting my Visa in time gets slimmer and slimmer! AHH!!!!

So yes, I'm freaking out right now. I hate being stressed like this right before Christmas.

and on top of that, I had to turn in my letter or resignation at work today. that was like the hardest thing ever. Everyone there has been SO amazing and it was really hard to be like "Thanks and all....but I gotta go!" lol. If you know what I mean.

Oh well, the store is closing in a month anyways. So I shouldn't worry so much. lol. but still, it sucks :-(

So yup. Stressing out. Getting ready for Christmas. trying to see everyone before I leave. trying to work. trying to get my interview in. etc.

Craziness! I can't wait until I can just zonk out on the plane. lol. a full 14 hours of sleep! lol.

Well, It's done.

I have decided to work for YBM ECC in their Junggye Branch in Seoul. The paperwork has been sent in and now I am waiting for my visa issuance number! When do I leave you may ask? Well, no other than the day after Christmas! Yes, I know. it's kind of (ok, majorly) a bummer, but it's better than before christmas and the job seems really great. I've talked to several people who work there, and a couple who used to work there and the feedback has all been great. The location, although not central Seoul seems really great and the apartments are nice. I also like the fact that YBM's contract is set up much better than other contracts I have been offered. PLUS, I get 50% off Korean language classes through YBM, which for me, is awesome!

So yes, I have given up on the public school job idea for now. There is simply too much competition for a newbie like me. I think, and this is just an idea, If I really love Korea and teaching in Korea, I'm going to do my one year at YBM come back and go to graduate school at OSU for my teaching certificate (a one year program) and then I'll head back to Korea to teach in a public school! That's just an idea though, like I said :-)

Anywho... So i'm simply waiting on my Visa Issuance number. I say the word simply because it has been about two weeks since my School got my paperwork and so I'm starting to go insane! lol. I need to be able to give my work notice about leaving, but I don't want to do that until I know I have a visa issuance number. As we all know, Jobs are not so easy to come by now a days! lol. Also, I still have to apply for my Visa and interview with the Consulate. All within 15 days, 11 if you take weekends into account! AH! crazy. I'm starting to go a bit crazy. lol. I can't wait until all this paperwork crap is out of the way and I'm finally there!

So keep your fingers crossed for me that my visa issuance number comes in first thing next week!

I'll keep you posted!

Toodles and Schnoogles,

K.C.

So I know I haven't been blogging very much, but I'm still around :-)

I've interviewing, getting job offers, and making decisions. However, I don't want to post anything until it's a sure thing. call me superstitious, but after that happened with EPIK, i'm not taking any chances of jinxing myself. lol.

So no worries, as soon as something is decided, i'll let you know ASAP! :-)

until then,

Toodles and Schnoogles,

K.C.

Well, sad news folks. incredibly sad but hey, it happens. Just got off the phone with my recruiter and my application for teaching in a public school has been denied. they never interviewed, looked at my paperwork, nothing. Apparently, they are saturated with applications and my lack of teaching experience just doesn't measure up? I'll never know for sure, it is now EPIK's policy not to inform you why exactly they have denied your application. the rushing feeling of tears hit first. then anger. then depression and now? determination. I am now going to be looking at private school positions. I'm still hoping for the Busan area, however, it looks like I may be in Seoul. It's really hard to say at this point. with my luck, i'll be denied from all of those schools too. :-S argh. MAJOR bummer. MAJOR sadness. time for a new episode of "You're Beautiful" and whatever sweets I can find in the kitchen...and I was doing so well with keeping them at bay. lol.

So, cross your fingers, keep me in your prayers. I'm going to need it!

K.C.

Well, since my last post things have been moving rather quickly. After turning in my resumes and cover letters to four different recruitment companies, I shortly received emails stating that I was through the initial application process and that they would like to set up an interview with me. So this is what the last three days have looked liked:

Sunday: Get ready for Colton’s soccer party, dinner, interview between 8:30 and 10.

Reach to Teach- This interview lasted about 45 minutes and was very thorough.

Monday: Work from 10-2, interview at 2:30, interview at 4, Colton’s soccer party.

1st = Travel and Teach- lasted about 20 minutes, pretty basic.
2nd= Teach Away- lasted about 35 minutes. Very thorough.

Today: Trip to Police station, trip to library, trip to bank, Interview between 2 and 3.

Gone2Korea- this interview lasted about 6 or so minutes. This is partially due to the fact that I was talking with someone who specialized in Public school positions and I wanted to discuss private school positions through this company.

Yes, I know. Busy busy!!!! I have to say, before my very first interview I was EXTREMELY nervous but after the first one, I was much more calm and everything seemed to flow.

All of the interviews seemed to go really really well and everyone I talked with was very nice and very helpful with any questions I had. I think my plan is to first apply for a public school position. If I do not get into this program I will then be looking at private school options. For Public school positions I am currently looking to go through Reach to Teach to Teach Away. Both very extremely nice, very helpful and I felt that they both really took the time to truly interview me, get a sense of who I am, what my potential is and what exactly I’m looking for. It’s really truly going to be a hard decision when choosing who to go with.

So yes, now the next step is deciding who I’m going to work with, getting the paperwork together and getting my application ready before October 1st so that I can secure a position with a public school.

Paperwork looks like this:

2 copies of sealed, stamped transcripts -DONE
Apostilled Criminal Background Check
Apostilled Copy of Diploma
Color Copy of Passport -DONE
Signed copy of EPIK application -DONE
Health Form -DONE
4 passport photos (a total of 6, 2 are needed at Korean Consulate)

What’s that? What’s that you say? You don’t know what an apostille is? Well… Let me tell you!

First, get your paperwork notarized with a seal from the county your in.
Then, get the county clerk to sign you notary.
Lastly, get your signed notary apostilled by the secretary of state department.

Now, of course, this procedure is different based on state, but this is what us Ohioans must do to get something with a seal of apostille aka internationally notarized.

So yup. I’m in the process of A) getting all of this done and B) bankrupting myself in the process. It’s not cheap to get all of the documents, let me tell ya.

Anyways, all of my interviews are now officially done and I have officially been accepted by all 4 of the recruitment companies. Yay! Now I just have to decide which one to go with…this is going to be the hard part!

Toodles and Schnoogles,

K.C.