What follows is a rather rough outline of the past several days. Lots of people have been asking about how it's been and what's been going on, so here is just that.
Enjoy!
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I'm sure everyone who's followed along remembers my post about getting all of your paperwork in line. If not, just know that I stated a couple of times that no matter how prepared you think you are, you're never prepared enough.
Read below the jump for an exquisite example of just that. Also, a minor rant. When you're looking at working in Korea, there's a word you're going to see repeated ad nauseam: flexibility.
Be flexible with your schools. Be flexible with your start dates. Be flexible with your attitudes about the culture you'll be entering. Be flexible with your own perceptions about the world. For going on five years, I didn't think much about what was whirling around the internet. Flexible, yeah. Pfft. Sure. But now that I'm looking down at my flight confirmation numbers, I finally see what everyone was talking about. Flexibility with this plan is no joke. Below the jump, you can see all of the times that I absolutely had no choice but to confront the situation, let it roll off my back, and keep on swimming. So you've worked with recruiters, you've signed a contract, and you've found a job. Or you're still looking around, not sure where your going to work. Maybe you still need to get all of your documentation together. Or, also possible, you have been in Korea for a while now.
No matter what, when it comes to another country, there are two things that can make or break your experience: Your attitude, and how much you move within the culture. I can't help you with your attitude (but there are plenty of books on the matter if you're interested), but I can help you move within the culture. Well, sort of. Below the jump, I'm going to provide my resources for learning Korean. Learning the language of the country your in can completely change your experience. You can converse with the locals, find places that you wouldn't have otherwise, and immerse yourself in the culture. Do you have to learn Korean to work in Korea? No. Not at all. But it will definitely make your time there more enjoyable if you do. So you've found a school you love. And the best part? They love you! You're ready to sign your contract, make your plans, and send your documents over.
But wait! Contracts are scary. Intimidating. What's a pension and why am I paying into it? How does healthcare work? Who's paying for airfare? What happens if they fire me? There's a lot of questions that need to be answered before you sign your name on the dotted line and agree to spend a year of your life with one company. It's a big move, and not one to be taken lightly. So before you take that plunge, read the below wall of text to find out some of the questions I had with my contract and what to expect from signing on with a school. When it comes to getting a job overseas (namely in South Korea), the world of recruiters is about as divisive as it comes. The only topic more sure to start an argument is public vs. private.
Depending on your situation, recruiters can be a life saver. They can also make things a lot more stressful. In this blog post, I'm going to break down recruiting agencies for getting a teaching job in Korea. We're going to look at all of the fundamentals, everything that makes working with a recruiter so bipolar. If there is one thing that can make or break your entry into Korea, it's your certification and your teaching experience.
As time moves forward, more and more people are starting to realize the wonderful opportunities that can be had teaching English abroad. Whether it's in the techno-historic world of South Korea, the sun-swept sands of Afghanistan, or even right here in the United States. What that means is that jobs are getting harder and harder to come by. This growing market is swelling and it's beginning to be over-saturated. So how do you make yourself stand out? It's all about how you look on paper. So today, I'm going to tell you what can get you that coveted job. And this isn't just from my own limited personal experience, but also from those around me who have been in the field for years. What is it that makes you a better fit for a position than the person sitting next you? What can make you a better teacher? What, in the end, can get you a better paying, more enjoyable teaching experience? Dealing with the government, no matter where you are, is always more of a process than you think it's going to be. As my husband says, "No matter how prepared you are, you're never prepared." This can't be more true than when you're trying to get a whole sheaf of paperwork processed to work in another country.
You have degrees to apostille, background checks to obtain (and then apostille), passport photos to get, and so on. It can be a nightmare. And even with the massive amount of help and walkthroughs available on the internet....well, you're never prepared. What follows is a generally accepted list of required documentation to teach in South Korea (as of October 2014). I've also listed some tips and tricks to help you wade through the sea of paperwork and to make some sense of the process and all of its intricacies. My blog has undergone many changes in recent years. From Blogspot to Weebly, from makeup to life. Now, it's time to take on a new challenge: Moving halfway around the world to embark on a new adventure. An adventure that will challenge me, change me, and hopefully bring me happiness.
This blog is going to document my journey to South Korea to teach. Yes, I know that there are a million and one South Korean Teacher/Expat blogs out there. People who speak into the ether and hope that someone, somewhere, is listening. This is going to be different and be no different. This blog is for me. For my family. For my loved ones to keep in contact with me and for me to write while abroad. As it stands, right now I am taking classes to become a better educator. Then comes paperwork. Then comes a 14 hour flight with two cats and a husband. That's when my life will change. For right now, it's all preparation. Follow along with me as I overcome challenges and hopefully blossom into a happier person. It's going to be a long trip, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it every step of the way. -Jessica |
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