I created this blog when I first applied to Japan. Eigo = English in Japanese. But since now I know for sure I'm going to Korea, I thought I should change the url. Yeongeo = English in Korean. And since I kinda have an active tumblr, http://whateverhappenedhappened.tumblr.com/ , well I decided to switch over to tumblr as well. So, link/follow me here!
http://teachyeongeo.tumblr.com/
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Travel.state.gov
A helpful site to look at before leaving to teach abroad:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/teaching/teaching_1240.html
http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/teaching/teaching_1240.html
Saturday, September 11, 2010
More Paperwork
I haven't posted in over a month! It's because I don't really have much else to say except they changed the paperwork requirement on August 31st. Now we need one less transcript. Also, instead of having the option between 1) notarized copy of your diploma with an apostille, or 2) sending an original diploma that would be returned to you upon arrival, we now only have the option of sending #1. I originally chose option #2 because paying for a second original diploma would have been cheaper. Getting it notarized ($20) and notary authorized ($9) and apostillized ($26) would have been much more expensive. But it turns out I have to do that anyway. :/ I did save $20 thanks to my good friend Charlene because she's an active public notary. There's a suggestion for those of you who need notaries: find a friend who's a notary!
Costs thus far:
Criminal background check Apostille: $26
Criminal background check Notary Authorization: $9
Criminal background check Notarization: $20
Passport (including expedited service, shipping, and passport card): $285
LiveScan (criminal background check): $57
Original Diploma (Chapman University's fees): $25
Diploma copy Notarization: ΓΈ
Diploma copy Notary Authorization: $9
Diploma copy Apostille: $26
Official Transcripts (3 at $10 each): $30
Total: $487 ←This is just me. With the recent changes, it really shouldn't be that much. I'll post a detailed, step-by-step instruction manual on how to efficiently get your paperwork when I have time.
As for my position, I'm just waiting on HandS Korea to find me something.
Costs thus far:
Criminal background check Apostille: $26
Criminal background check Notary Authorization: $9
Criminal background check Notarization: $20
Passport (including expedited service, shipping, and passport card): $285
LiveScan (criminal background check): $57
Original Diploma (Chapman University's fees): $25
Diploma copy Notarization: ΓΈ
Diploma copy Notary Authorization: $9
Diploma copy Apostille: $26
Official Transcripts (3 at $10 each): $30
Total: $487 ←This is just me. With the recent changes, it really shouldn't be that much. I'll post a detailed, step-by-step instruction manual on how to efficiently get your paperwork when I have time.
As for my position, I'm just waiting on HandS Korea to find me something.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The Paperwork
Today, the paperwork will finally be over with (save for the contract).
The passport business was a mess. I went one day to the post office, and she told me I was missing my birth certificate. And then I went to Florida for vacation. I came back from Florida on July 13th and my mom told me they had it on the news they raised prices that day and there was a huge scramble to renew passports July 12th. I missed it by one day. And they didn't even look at my birth certificate. Just my luck.
For the criminal background check, it took a while for me to figure out what I had to do first to get an Apostille for Korea. I ran around to different buildings and different floors of buildings. In the end, this is what it turned out to be:
Costs thus far:
Criminal background check Apostille: $26
Criminal background check Notary Authorization: $9
Criminal background check Notary: $20
Passport (including expedited service, shipping, and passport card): $285
LiveScan (criminal background check): $57
Original Diploma (Chapman University's fees): $25
Official Transcripts (3 at $10 each): $30
Total: $452
The passport business was a mess. I went one day to the post office, and she told me I was missing my birth certificate. And then I went to Florida for vacation. I came back from Florida on July 13th and my mom told me they had it on the news they raised prices that day and there was a huge scramble to renew passports July 12th. I missed it by one day. And they didn't even look at my birth certificate. Just my luck.
For the criminal background check, it took a while for me to figure out what I had to do first to get an Apostille for Korea. I ran around to different buildings and different floors of buildings. In the end, this is what it turned out to be:
- Go to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Office in Norwalk.
- 5th floor: Notary Public office to get a notary signature.
- 2nd floor: County Clerk office to get a notary authorization.
- Go to 300 Spring St. in downtown Los Angeles.
- 12th floor: Secretary of State office to get an Apostille for Korea.
Costs thus far:
Criminal background check Apostille: $26
Criminal background check Notary Authorization: $9
Criminal background check Notary: $20
Passport (including expedited service, shipping, and passport card): $285
LiveScan (criminal background check): $57
Original Diploma (Chapman University's fees): $25
Official Transcripts (3 at $10 each): $30
Total: $452
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The Cost Thus Far: $112
I'll be keeping track of how much money I'm spending on paperwork and everything else I have to get before leaving. Here's what I have so far:
LiveScan (at the UPS store): $57
Original Diploma (Chapman University's fees): $25
Official Transcripts (3 at $10 each): $30
Total: $112
LiveScan (at the UPS store): $57
Original Diploma (Chapman University's fees): $25
Official Transcripts (3 at $10 each): $30
Total: $112
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Agency: HandS Korea
Sunday, June 27th: I stumbled upon HandS Korea while searching for teach abroad jobs on GaijinPot.com (a Japan classifieds website). The description of the recruiting agency made me feel like it would be worthwhile to create an account with GaijinPot Jobs and apply.
Description
We are really excited to introduce you a teaching opportunity in Korea. Teaching in Korea is one of those rare opportunities for recent graduates or experienced teachers who want to take chance of Asian culture while furthering their career goals in teaching.
We, H&S Corp, are a recruiting agency located here in Seoul with prominent clientele from public and private education sectors. Education of English is a hot commodity in Korea, and many educational institutions are looking for dedicated teachers who enjoy working with students in Korea
1. Job title
ESL/ EFL teacher (Generally conversational English classes)
2. Contract length
Most institutions require 1 year contract with possibility of extension with a raise.
3. Working hours
25~30 hours per week less than 120 hours per month / Mon. - Fri.
4. Overtime payment
15,000~25,000 won per hours (USD 16~26 )
5. Salary + Severance payment
The general salary of a native-speaking teacher ranges roughly from
KRW 2.1 million to 2.5 million
Depending on the qualification.
But unlike US’or Australia’s 15% income tax rate, Korean tax rate is 3.3%, which means a teacher gets to bring home most of their pay check. Also, most of the institutions offer over time with weekends’ rate being slightly higher than that of weekdays.
6. Airfare information
Institutions or school provide for the economy class flight ticket to Korea and the institution will also provide for the airfare back to your country upon successful completion of your contract.
7. Housing
Fully furnished single accommodation provided. (studio apartment)
8. Severance payment
One month salary after completion of one-year contract
9. Medical insurance
50% of medical insurance plan from either an insurance company or National Korean Medical Insurance. (after registering alien card)
10. Holidays and Vacations
Up to 10 days of your paid vacations plus up to 15 days Korean National holidays.
(5 days for summer vacation + 5 days winter vacation)
11. Other benefits
- Attractive salary packages including paid holidays and severance package
- Flexible class hours available. (Morning or afternoon classes)
- Visas arranged by the school or the institution
Monday, June 28th: On my 22nd birthday, I received an email from Ray asking if it would be okay to contact me the following night for an interview. It was also requested for a resume, picture, and earliest start date.
Tuesday, June 29th: While my cousins were over for our scary-movie-sleepover, I got a call on my cell from an odd 026 area code number. I took it to my room for privacy and answered. It was Rebecca in Korea! She asked me a few questions (such as why I wanted to teach, why I wanted to teach in Korea, what age group I was interested in teaching in, and where I would like to be placed) and told me about the documents I need to start gathering. She was from the states and taught abroad Korea and was able to answer some of my questions about teaching abroad as well. The same day she emailed me a descriptive list of the documents she went over on the phone.
Friday, July 2nd: I went to the local UPS store for a LiveScan (fingerprinting for a criminal background check). Next step for that is to bring it to the Korean consulate in L.A. once I get back the results in the mail for an Apostille.
Other documents I need (on top of the LiveScan)
1. Original diploma
2. 2 sealed transcripts (+1 to keep on me)
3. A copy of my Passport
4. 4 passport-sized photos
5. A self-medical statement
Description
We are really excited to introduce you a teaching opportunity in Korea. Teaching in Korea is one of those rare opportunities for recent graduates or experienced teachers who want to take chance of Asian culture while furthering their career goals in teaching.
We, H&S Corp, are a recruiting agency located here in Seoul with prominent clientele from public and private education sectors. Education of English is a hot commodity in Korea, and many educational institutions are looking for dedicated teachers who enjoy working with students in Korea
1. Job title
ESL/ EFL teacher (Generally conversational English classes)
2. Contract length
Most institutions require 1 year contract with possibility of extension with a raise.
3. Working hours
25~30 hours per week less than 120 hours per month / Mon. - Fri.
4. Overtime payment
15,000~25,000 won per hours (USD 16~26 )
5. Salary + Severance payment
The general salary of a native-speaking teacher ranges roughly from
KRW 2.1 million to 2.5 million
Depending on the qualification.
But unlike US’or Australia’s 15% income tax rate, Korean tax rate is 3.3%, which means a teacher gets to bring home most of their pay check. Also, most of the institutions offer over time with weekends’ rate being slightly higher than that of weekdays.
6. Airfare information
Institutions or school provide for the economy class flight ticket to Korea and the institution will also provide for the airfare back to your country upon successful completion of your contract.
7. Housing
Fully furnished single accommodation provided. (studio apartment)
8. Severance payment
One month salary after completion of one-year contract
9. Medical insurance
50% of medical insurance plan from either an insurance company or National Korean Medical Insurance. (after registering alien card)
10. Holidays and Vacations
Up to 10 days of your paid vacations plus up to 15 days Korean National holidays.
(5 days for summer vacation + 5 days winter vacation)
11. Other benefits
- Attractive salary packages including paid holidays and severance package
- Flexible class hours available. (Morning or afternoon classes)
- Visas arranged by the school or the institution
Monday, June 28th: On my 22nd birthday, I received an email from Ray asking if it would be okay to contact me the following night for an interview. It was also requested for a resume, picture, and earliest start date.
Tuesday, June 29th: While my cousins were over for our scary-movie-sleepover, I got a call on my cell from an odd 026 area code number. I took it to my room for privacy and answered. It was Rebecca in Korea! She asked me a few questions (such as why I wanted to teach, why I wanted to teach in Korea, what age group I was interested in teaching in, and where I would like to be placed) and told me about the documents I need to start gathering. She was from the states and taught abroad Korea and was able to answer some of my questions about teaching abroad as well. The same day she emailed me a descriptive list of the documents she went over on the phone.
Friday, July 2nd: I went to the local UPS store for a LiveScan (fingerprinting for a criminal background check). Next step for that is to bring it to the Korean consulate in L.A. once I get back the results in the mail for an Apostille.
Other documents I need (on top of the LiveScan)
1. Original diploma
2. 2 sealed transcripts (+1 to keep on me)
3. A copy of my Passport
4. 4 passport-sized photos
5. A self-medical statement
The Result from Amity: No Reply (but that's okay!)
They said wait three weeks to hear from them, and by the time two and a half weeks passed, I decided it was time to try out something different. I trust in God's will; and although I hoped I would be accepted to this program, I found that He had other plans for me...a lot has happened since then and now I find myself even more excited about teaching abroad than ever! :-D
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