Getting to South Korea--December 16th, 2008

Well if anyone is keeping up with me you probably think I fell off the face of the Earth! I am in South Korea and I don't have my own internet connection and didn't want to post in a PC cafe. Right now I still don't have my own internet but I'm stealing someone else's connection.ha ha. we found out that if you put your laptop up on the window sill that you can connect to a wireless connection.

The night before my flight I was scrambling to get everything together. I had everything packed but I was making sure everything fit. I checked with US Airways and found out that for an International flight I could check 2 bags for free! I was excited. I didn't know how I would make it on one bag. So I packed up another bag. Then I spent a lot of time trying to get my bags under the weight limit so I wouldn't be charged extra. After taking things out and moving to another bag I finally got both bags under 50 pounds!

I went to bed at 1:30 am and got up at 3:30am. yes two hours of sleep. I was more worried about having everything ready than sleeping. I would be on a plane for 17 hours-plenty of time to sleep.

My sister took me to the airport. We got there around 6pm. My flight was at 7:35am. I checked in and changed my seating and headed through security. Security went quickly. Then I called my sister to let her know that I forgot to give my phone back to her. I knew it wouldn't work in South Korea. oh well. I just have a phone with me that I can't answer. hopefully no one leaves a message because I wont answer it!

We boarded the plane at 7:05am. We left on time from Charlotte Douglas. My first leg of the flight was to San Francisco with US Airways. The flight was suppose to be around 6 hours and we were going to land at 10:18 PST.

I got an aisle seat all to myself! sweet! There was no movie on the flight and you had to purchase your meal or snack. It was expensive! I looked in the brochure and saw a sandwich that looked appealing. It was $7 and didn't taste as good as it looked. A 12oz can of coke costed $2. ridiculous! I took the skymall catalog. I never knew we could take those! I slept a little on the plane.

We arrived in San Francisco 20 mins late because of headwinds. We got there around 10:40. My next flight was scheduled to leave at 12pm so I had to rush. San Francisco needs more signs! I walked around for a long time before I found out you have to exit to get to the International Terminal. There were no signs around the arrival gates that pointed towards the International Terminal. confusing! The international flights weren't listed on the arrival/departure board either. only the domestic flights. So finally I exited and found the International Terminal.

I was cutting it close! I got to the gate to enter and they told me to go back to row 10 and get another ticket. My ticket still said US Airways. I needed to change it to an Asiana ticket. So I did that and headed back. I had to go through security again. And it was moving slower! The gate to my plane was closing at 11:45. It was 11:39 when I got out of security. I rushed down to my gate and made it just in time!!

Now I am in love with Asiana airlines. I know why they are rated as one of the top airlines. I didn't like that I had a window seat. That meant I'd be stuck there the whole trip-a 12 hour flight! I was flying from San Francisco to Seoul, South Korea with Asiana. I was impressed. When I got to the seat there was a pillow and blanket provided for us. A little while later they provided us with headphones to use during the flight. FREE snacks and a full meal! They had these neat screens on the back of the seats where they had tons of entertainment options-movies, cds, games, etc--for Free! I watched Wall-e (cute movie) and Mamma Mia (cute movie). I also listened to a lot of music and played bejeweled. I esp liked the "airshow" option. It showed where we were in relation to where we were going, how much time we had left, how many miles, current time and time at destination. We got tons of snacks! I think we must have eaten something every 2-3 hours.

We had a full meal during the flight. korean style or western style. I stuck with western style!

menu:

Appetizer-Penne Pasta with Shrimp--mine was still frozen! so I didnt eat it.
Mixed Garden Salad
Beef Tenderloin Steak
Tiramisu Cake

later on the flight we had some little ham and cheese sandwiches. very good.

for a snack we had--Chicken Thigh with Teriyaki sauce and steamed rice. also very good. and their snack mix was very good.

I was sleeping at various times. never a long sleep just in and out of short sleep periods. I always made sure I was up for meal times! The only thing I didn't like about the flight was a window seat--I got up once. The people who were beside me rarely got up so I didn't want to bother them. Plus I was right at the wing of the plan so I had no view. And we had a full flight so I didn't really have any option to move.

We arrived on time to Seoul. I got off the plane and followed everyone. I had to give my arrival card to Immigration. Then I got my bags. My bags made it! I was excited. I was so scared they'd get lost. Then I went through customs. I didn't have anything to declare. Then I went to exchange my money. the current exchange rate on December 18th was 1272won=$1 usd. So I exchanged $472 and got close to 700,000 won. Then I went through to meet my driver. I saw him holding up my name. the other guy from Charlotte was there too. I spoke to my recruiter on the driver's phone. He told me the driver was going to take us to our apartment.

Oh my goodness--we were so scared. Its true. South Koreans can't drive! when I drive I always wait for a big enough hole to get in. not over here. they see the smallest opening and just start to move over. The next day the guy from Charlotte asked me, "were you as scared as I was" YES!

It took us a while to get to Uijeongbu. I can't remember how long exactly. I was too scared to notice! He took us to the school. we unloaded all of our luggage and headed up to the 3rd floor. One of the Korean teachers and the guy in charge of foreigners met us there.

We met the director who speaks no English. Then we met the vice principal who speaks limited English. The Korean teacher, Jin, who met us there speaks really good English.

Then the guy who is in charge of foreigners took us to our apartment. We are on the 3rd floor of this small building. When I got to my room there was a twin bed, comforter, pillow, rack to put my clothes on, tv, gas stovetop, small nightstand. We were suppose to have pots and pans and utensils but there weren't any. no closet space. No microwave. I thought we would have a washer in our room (but I found out it was in the hall).

I didn't know how to get to the school from our apartment-they told us go left and turn straight. So I went out and walked about 10 mins in 3 directions. I didn't see the school. I actually walked right near it once but didn't recognize it. I had to be at school at 11am the next day so I thought I'd get out and try to find the school on my own. Its my first night around 11pm and I'm walking around in a foreign country by myself. I tried not to veer off the straight path. I knew the landmarks near my house so I knew how to get back if I didn't turn off. And I had to find Home Plus because I didn't have a transformer. I had an adapter but that wasn't going to do me any good when I need to switch over to 220 volts. I headed in the only direction I hadn't been in and I found Home Plus. Its this giant store with a lot of levels connected by escalators without steps. I looked on a few levels. So I looked around and I had no clue what a transformer was. I didn't find one. So I just bought a Korean alarm clock since thats what I really needed. I couldn't be late on my first day of school.

Then I found my way back home and went to bed.

Atlanta Interview and flight info..

I got my intinerary today and found out that Im leaving one day earlier than I expected. I'm leaving tomorrow! I have a 7:35am flight with US Airways to San Francisco (5 hrs and 43 mins). Then a noon flight on Asiania airlines from San Francisco to Seoul(12 hour flight).I will arrive in South Korea 5:45pm Wednesday (South Korea Time) which would be 3:45 AM (Eastern time). I am going to be so tired when I get there. I think I'll just crash without unpacking.

I still don't have a power adapter or a transformer! I'll have to find one soon so I can use my appliances like my laptop and my hairdryer/straightener/alarm clock.

Today I had my interview with the Korean consulate. I hated having to drive to Atlanta. I didn't hit any traffic at all on the way up here.(I'm scared about the way back!) I left at 5am and arrived at my destination at 10:20am. I could have gotten here earlier if I didn't make some wrong turns. I was on I-20 for a long time and I was suppose to get off at I-75/I-85S..well I did but it was below where I needed to be...I needed exit 249 and when I got on it I was already down at 242 (the directions they gave assumed you were already on I75/I85S and not having to get on it from another interstate..ok so I turned off and got back on I75/I85N to go back up to get to that exit...well there is only 249B and D on the North Side..you can only access the 249A from the South so I had to get back on 75S...and I finally made it here...I had to park in a parking garage thats going to cost an arm and a leg because of circumstances I will list later....

While I was waiting to have my interview a girl came in for an interview and she didn't have what she needed so they sent her home. She was upset and telling her mom that they wasted her time. Another guy came in who was also there for an interview and his documents weren't there yet so he has to come back later for his interview.

ok so I go in and have the interview at 11am..he asked me a few questions..He wanted to know how I found out about teaching in South Korea, did I have any experience, etc..it lasted about 10 minutes.then I went to ask the woman at the front desk when my passport would be ready...she said tomorrow and I said my flight leaves in the morning...you usually get your passport the next day...so now I have to wait around till 4pm to pick it up...

Now my car will be in the parking deck all day long..I'm not getting out into the city cause I have no clue where to go so the maximum price for parking is $16 so thats what i'll be paying since I'll be in there about 6 hours...

Right now I'm just wasting time in the Hyatt hotel lobby in the Peachtree mall. I sat in a chair and just rested for a whole hour and now Im checking email and blogging on my sister's computer. I found an outlet in the lobby.

so I'll pick up my passport with the visa stamp at 4pm...then drive almost 5 hours...finish packing..I think I'm going to take 2 suitcases..Im flying on 2 different airlines so I dont know which one I'm suppose to follow for the baggage allowance...I emailed my recruiter so I'll find out....so after I get home I'll have to pack and then go to bed and get up super early since I want to be at the airport by 5:35am...

This was not a good experience. Its not worth driving 10 hours in one day for a 10 minute interview.

more expenses! and my 27th birthday!

Its my 27th Birthday!! I'm celebrating tonight at The Breakfast Club in Charlotte with some friends from work who I havent seen in 2 weeks, my sister and her 3 guests, and one person from facebook. I'm excited--I bought a nice new dress a few weeks ago and I love 80's music!

My webcam arrived yesterday...I'll be able to use it for video chat on skype. I still need to teach my mom how to use hers. hopefully the headsets will arrive soon and I'll be able to show my mom how to use them before I leave.

Preparing to go to South Korea is expensive!

Yesterday I had to mail more documents-to Atlanta. $16.50 express mail to get it there plus I had to pay $16.50 for the return envelope which I addressed to myself. Then I had to pay $45 for the actual Visa. So today I had to spend $78.

I just spent $60 2 weeks ago to send documents to South Korea.

And I had to go take more passport size photos..$7.99 at CVS.(why do they need so many pictures? I've sent 4 pics to S. Korea and 1 to Atlanta)

I had to pay $25 for a criminal background check...plus $2 for an apostille in November.

Plus I had to buy tons of stuff like a suitcase, new clothes, etc.

I'm so thankful that I don't have to pay for the plane ticket!!

I was checking out different airlines baggage requirements last night and found out that a lot of them let you take 2 checked bags on International trips. I sure hope I will be on one of those airlines! My suitcase and carry on are getting full! plus I'll have my laptop bag.

I talked to my recruiter again after I made my appt for the 18th. He is trying to move my appt to monday the 15th or Tues the 16th so I can be in South Korea by the 18th so I can observe some classes. I would start teaching on the 22nd! I'll know the details soon. I could be in South Korea within the next week.

next step: interview with korean consulate

My visa was approved.

next step: Interview with the Korean consulate in Atlanta, GA on December the 18th at 3pm.

I'm not looking forward to making the almost 600 mile roundtrip journey. I have to do an in-person interview. there werent any other options. I really dont want to drive my car that far! I've never taken a trip that long at one time. Its a 4 plus hour trip so I'm going to have to leave super early because I know there will be traffic. Atlanta traffic is terrible! I really wish I had someone to drive me there!

While I'm there the actual visa stamp will be put in my passport. Then my passport should be returned to me within 48 hours by mail. Then I'm probably set to leave shortly after. My recruiter wanted to know when my interview was so he could book my flight. soon I'll know when my actual departure date will be.

Some South Korean Facts...

90% of South Koreans have broadband Internet access.
South Koreans pay for their broadband at the lowest rates in the world.

South Koreans dont use: deodorant, clothes dryers,ovens, bathtubs, enclosed showers/shower curtian-its a showerhead on the wall-when you shower the whole bathroom gets wet

They have a "squatty potty"--which is basically a hole in the ground that you use..(they do have some western toilets) and bathrooms arent always adequately stocked with toilet paper

Their currency is the Won (KRW)...@1,000 KRW=$1 USD

official name: Republic of Korea

Capital: Seoul

Population: 49,232,844 (2008 estimate)

Population Density: 1,299 persons per sq mi (2008 estimate)
Compared to us--SC has 133 persons per sq mi--North America has 32 persons per sq mi (WOW)--Asia has 203 persons per sq mi

Religious Beliefs:

Christian-41 percent
Indigenous beliefs-16 percent
Buddhist-15 percent
Confucianist-11 percent
Nonreligious-2 percent
Other-15 percent

It's official...

I received my contract and I signed it and mailed in all my documents for my visa.

I can't believe its so expensive to mail such a small package to South Korea by Fedex. It weighed 0.35 lbs and it costed $60 to send it internationally. wow. It is expected to arrive on November 24 (Monday).

I finally have details...

Ages:3rd grade through Junior High....
Salary: 2.25 million won a month
Location:near Seoul in a town called Uiejeongbu
working hours: 3pm-11pm

now its time to begin to tell everyone. I havent told all my friends since I was waiting for it to be official.

oh and now I know of one more person who is going to teach in Korea. I think he starts in January. His name is Mike and he accepted a position in Seoul. I met him through my Rock Hill homegroup.

So I will know 2 other people from the Charlotte area!

I finally got a job!!

I found out why the interview was so short....the interviewer had about 6 more interviews to do that night and only had a few questions to ask...

Anyway...I GOT THE JOB!

I'll get my contract through email soon once James receives it from the corporate office...

The job starts 3rd week of December...and I'll be working at the same school as my friend (Joel Oliver) but at a different location. I'll be working near Seoul, South Korea.

more details after I get them!

Skype...

I signed up for Skype...if youre not familiar with that check out www.skype.com. Its a messenger program similar to AOL where you can talk to others on webcams and make phone calls to other skype users and to landlines/cellphones. Its free to call from computer to computer to another Skype user but you have a pay a low fee to call landlines/cellphones/text message. You can either use it just like a phone or you can use a webcam for a video chat. You can also use it for instant messaging just like AOL. I plan on getting a headset and a webcam for me and my parents so we can communicate back and forth through Video chat instead of running up a high phone bill.

My username is valerie.beth.knight

So thats one method of contacting me...instant message, skype to skype calls, or video chat. and there's always email, facebook, I may have my AOL on.

I will not be using my cell phone while in Korea. The number may still be active, but I'm not even taking it with me. So don't call my cell--you will not get an answer or someone like my parents might pick it up...anyway, you won't get a response from me!

I will have a cell phone in Korea but its going to be a local Korean plan which will only be used for calls made inside of South Korea.

Shortest Interview Ever...

So last night the recruiter tells me that someone will call me around midnight. They called around 11:30pm and they only asked 3 or 4 questions. The interview lasted 2 mins and 50 seconds. They told me they would call me back but didnt.

I remember them asking me "Do you have experience?", "Why do you want to come to Korea?" and some question that I had them repeat twice and I still didn't understand!Anyway, I guess they got all the info they wanted!

I sent an email to the recruiter and he answered me tonight. He said that:

I spoke to the person who interviewed you. You will start sometime around the 20th do Dec.

You should plan on coming to Korea around that time. I will give you a follow up call later tonight to go over the details.

So I don't know what the details are yet but the recruiter is going to call me tonight. woah. It seems this is finally becoming a reality!

Getting my documents together...

I have to prepare a set of documents to send over so I am able to get my E2 teaching visa..valid for one year...

I started preparing these as soon as I started talking to recruiters.

I need:

My original diploma (got it)

2 sets of transcripts (got it)

Medical statement (basically just saying I'm in good health)(got it)

4 passport size photos (I havent done this yet)

Criminal Background Check (This should be in the mail this week) (cost $25)

Resume (got it)

Photocopy of passport (got it)

signed contract (once I get an offer)

I have to send all these documents over to South Korea through a courier service such as DHL or Fedex...I'm hoping thats not too expensive..

Since I'm signed up with multiple agencies I'm not sending in my documents until I have accepted a position with one of the companies.

Beginning the process...

I'm really unhappy at my current job and I've been searching for a new job for over a year. I don't know why no one wants to hire me and its a terrible feeling. All my friends have good jobs and buying their own homes and I'm stuck at a job barely making minimum wage and living off a small budget barely making it by. I have a college degree, but no experience but I think I have a lot to offer if someone would just give me a chance.

After applying to tons of jobs and getting tons of rejections I've decided to take drastic measures. There is a demand for English teachers in Korea. You have to have a college degree, be a native speaker, and experience isn't required. Hey, a job I'm actually qualified for!

I'm not a big risk taker. I usually cautious and have things well planned out, but I'm taking a huge risk by deciding to just move out of the country for a year. If someone would have mentioned this to me a few years ago I would have never considered it.

I'm at peace with my decision. I'm not scared even though I don't know the language or the culture. I've never been out of America so its going to be a huge change. I think I'm ready though. At least thats what I think. I'm going into the great unknown and I'm just going to learn as I go.

Everyone thinks I'm crazy, but I think its going to be a life changing experience. I told my mom about it she said "youre going to get some kind of disease". My family supports my decision though.

I started the process on Sept 22 when I applied with a recruiting agency located in Seoul, South Korea named Park English. Someone emailed and called me the next day. I told them I wanted to start sometime in January of 2009.

I applied for a specific position around Oct 1st. I had an interview with the director shortly after. I though the interview went well but I didnt get chosen for the position.

I wasn't getting matched with anymore positions so I picked out a few more positions off the website. I wasn't qualified for the ones I picked..one wanted a male, another wanted someone with experience, another wanted someone with an education degree.

Then the recruiter tried to match me with positions starting in early December but I don't want to leave that early. I did decide that the earliest I want to leave is Dec 26. I want to be able to spend some time with my family before moving away.

BTW--November 26 is my last day at my job. I don't know if I'll have a position lined up by then but I really don't want to be there anymore. I'm also moving back in with my parents as of November 28th so I can spend time with them before moving.

So I was unhappy with my progress and I signed up with 2 more recruiting agencies. One is called ESLpark (I'm working with the same recruiter that my friend worked with). I was impressed with the quick response. I applied on 11/4, James(the recruiter) called me on 11/5 and had already had an interview set up for 11/6.

I just found out the results from that interview--I didnt get the position. The school had 2 open positions and they hired a couple.

So James called me today and said he had another opening. Its near his office in Seoul. The position starts around December 15 (which is too early) but he is trying to see if they can move the start date back til after Christmas. Anyway I have an interview with the director tonight. that was quick. He calls me around 7pm and says that the director is going to call me at midnight. There is a huge time difference between the USA and South Korea so all my interviews have to be late at night.

Yesterday I talked to another recruiter. He doesnt have any positions for me yet but at least I am increasing my chances by having options.

I wonder what all these phone calls are costing me...I don't even see the bill so I don't know! It's a family plan and all the bills go to my parent's house. I'm sure my sister will tell me of any added charges when she gets the bill in a few days. I've been receiving a lot of calls from South Korea lately. Never more than 15 minutes but if there is a roaming charge that can really add up at 40 cents a minute. I remember when I went to California--I ran up a $100 phone bill in a week just by roaming on my cell phone. (I only have the local NC/SC plan..not nationwide long distance)

Why are you going to South Korea?

How did I get to this point?

Ever since I graduated from college in 2004 I've had a longing to get away and start a new life. I haven't always had a desire to go overseas, just a longing to move far away to get away from my normal hectic life. So over the past 4 years I've never acted on my desire so I've been stuck here in a rut.

How did I choose South Korea? No reason in particular to be honest. In March I was just surfing the web and I saw an ad that said "Teach English in South Korea". I thought "wow that sounds neat". I was not satisfied at my current job (Hertz) and was having trouble finding other employment.I looked into it briefly and quickly gave up because of the cost of a plane ticket which could be at least $1,000 and I was skeptical. I thought "is this a real opportunity?". I never even tried to apply for a job. I just gave up.

I rememeber writing an email to my close friend Brad (March 28,2008). Here's an excerpt:

I want to apply to be an ESL teacher in Korea. If I dont find a good job soon I might seriously consider that. It would be nice to live in another country. Then once I have experience I could be an ESL teacher in another country.

He replies:

Follow this desire to leave America. Do not let fear and doubt stop you. Keep serving Valerie with all you can and as it seams the Lord keeps putting it on your heart to leave America even 2 years ago you were talking about it.

In September I met a new friend at a mutual friend's birthday party. I later found out that he was going to teach English in South Korea. I emailed him back and forth since he was in the process of applying and knew how the process worked. He's actually in South Korea right now.

So I thought--wow this must be legit because I actually know someone who is going through the process. I'm very skeptical about things unless I know someone who is actually going through it.

Then I decided to give it a try. A spontaneous decision that could change my life forever. I'm very unhappy in my current situation and I need a change..NOW!

So I signed up with a recruiter and the process began....