Below is the email from Michelle after receiving job offer. She did email it prior as I was curious to see what I can do to get more prepared. Goodies like website to deal with culture shock, how to stay connected, etc.. TEK really did their part.
congratulations!!
Hi! This is Michelle from Teach ESL Korea! I've "met" some of you and some of you worked with Dan, Shawna, Brett or Cindy to get where you are today, and all of you are hopefully in contact with Aggie (Dan's wife) or Cynthia to get your E2 visa - we're all on the same team, here to help YOU!!
Congratulations!!! You're about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the Land of the Morning Calm, South Korea! As you prepare to go, we, at Teach ESL Korea, have a few things that will help you to prepare. You've been rushing around to get your E2 visa process started, asking around, trying to figure out what you should bring, busy tying up loose ends before you go... but now is a time to sit back, get a cup of coffee (or tea or your drink of choice) and let us guide you through this time of preparation. You'll need a small chunk of time to work through the information in this email (and attachments), so please allow yourself enough time so that you don't feel rushed.
Got your coffee? OK, let's go over the items we'll cover in this email:
getting connected
Getting Connected with other teachers who are going to or are already in Korea - moving to a foreign country, either alone or even with a friend or two can be very scary and lonely at times. It is so important to build up a network of friends that you can connect with those who will understand your joys (finding peanut butter in the grocery store), your struggles (taking a bus or taxi to a new place), your hopes (that your students will be able to understand you as you teach), and your fears (that you'll be forced - out of politeness, of course - to eat some sort of mystery food that no one can explain in English). Here are a couple things we recommend:
facebook - If you're already a user of FB, please:
- add "Dan Henrickson" (picture of him with his son laying on Dan's stomach).
- There is also a Facebook group (you must be part of the South Korea network to join): http://www.facebook.com/home.
php#/group.php?gid=18369775002 - Stay tuned for some pictures we're hoping to upload shortly
- If you're not a user of FB, consider joining! It's free! It's easy! And it's a great way to meet people and stay connected
staying connected with your friends and family back home
blogging
- One of the best ways to stay in contact is through blogging. If you've never done it, don't worry - it's not that hard. It is much more efficient to update a blog regularly than to send 101 emails telling people about your experiences. Blogs allow you to write lots and to include pictures if you want.
sample blogs
- Here are a few examples from teachers who are in Korea already:
- http://kickinitinsouthkorea.
blogspot.com/ - Dan's brother-in-law's very close friend, who just landed in Gwangju. - http://canaussiekaraoke.
blogspot.com/ - this is a Canadian girl, and Aussie guy, who work at Yale, in Daegu. - http://kimchicornbread.
blogspot.com/ - A fun blog to read!
starting a blog
- To start a blog, just go to www.blogger.com and click on "Create your own blog now." It's fun! It's easy! Best of all, it's a great way to keep friends and family back home current with what is happening in Korea adventures!
feedback
Give us feedback on the service that we have provided to you so far - Open attachment named "Feedback," complete the form, save and email back to me (michelle.teslk@gmail.com). I can't tell you how important this feedback is to us... we are always looking for ways to improve and strengthen the service we provide to our teachers! Please help us out by completing the feedback form and emailing it back to me.
what do i bring??
We thought you might ask - so attached to this email is also a suggested list of what to bring and things to do before leaving for Korea. Keep in mind that Korea is a very developed country and you will be able to find many of your favorite things from home in Korea. Some you'll have to search harder for and pay more for, but you'll find them. Take a look at the attached list for an idea of what to bring.
learn Korean!!
One of our teachers spent some time reviewing various Korean language textbooks on his blog. When he was trying to learn Korean, he could never find much information on which books were good and which weren't, and where to find them, so he decided to put a guide together by himself. Please check it out: http://rockyourteeth.xanga.
helpful websites to check out
(AMAZING!!!) Orientation to Korea: http://www.korea4expats.com/
Very informative link on Culture Shock: http://www.seoulstyle.com/
Information on Vaccinations: http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/
Learning the basics of the Hangul: http://rki.kbs.co.kr/learn_
important tax exemption information
If you are American, and you have not lived in Korea for more than 2 years, you may be eligible to apply for a tax exemption (that will exempt you from paying Korean Income Tax). Please see attached information and direct your questions to the IRS (we are just passing the info we had on to you and are not in a position to answer further questions about this). If you are not American, please check with your local tax authority to see how to go about getting a tax exemption from Korean taxes. Sorry, this is not an option at all for Canadians.
thank you
Thank you for taking the time to sit down here today and review this information and provide input/feedback where needed. We appreciate it very much! Hopefully your E2 Visa will be processed quickly and you'll be on your way in no time! Please feel free to contact us again if you have any further questions!! Your teacher rep would be glad to help you!
With this an attachment of things to do before leaving. Paperwork to bring, clothing suggestions (but I knew that already). Feminine needs and things like deodorant, condoms...well, I wasn't that optimistic. Also a tax exemption form for Americans who worked there less than 2 years qualify. Well, little taxes are taken out, like 3-5% but I will want it back.Now in the green , with job and departure date in sight. I felt elated and free. Something to look forward to and have something of my own. Now I can take the next and final steps toward departure. Another party entered the picture, Julice who represents TEK from Korea. From what I understand now, she takes care of paperwork, contract and dealings with the schools. So, Michelle contacted Julice about my replacement and to put together contract. I first looked at the contract made for the previous teacher who was going to go to review and see what it looked like. Although the information was thorough, it did look a bit amateurish or unofficial. Easy to change words in document. It wasn't scanned like a pdf. After I saw the salary for other teacher, I knew I could negotiate a bit as I am more qualified and experienced than the average foreigner coming. Most don't have any experience and only have a Bachelor's degree. With my two years teaching abroad and Master's, I knew I had some leverage, but not much as I said, Korean's had choice. However, with the time crunch, now Oct. 5th with a start date of Nov. 1st. Takes about 2-3 weeks to process paperwork in immigration to get E2# which is needed to make consulate appointment. Do you math, not much time. If all went as well, it won't be a problem. I was optimistic even being a realist. What could go wrong?
I got the contract... obviously just changing the exact document I reviewed as my name wasn't changed in all areas, for example. Also, even with Michelle suggesting a salary of 2.3 or 2.4 mil won and month. Other person offered 2.2... my contract was 2.25. I didn't accept that. I wrote back with minimum 2.3 with a reminded of my qualifications. I felt it was appropriate. I couldn't not say something, it would've bothered me this entire year. A moment of confidence then led to fear and insecurity..what if they thought I was too bold or over the top? Did I want to lose this opportunity? I knew they needed a replacement immediately and had a moment to have adv...my mind tossing the ball back and forth awaiting the answer. I was only asking for 50,000 won more a month.. like $50 bucks..not too much. It did go in my favor. (While writing this I checked the currency value on www.xe.com. The dollar is doing good today! My month salary of 2.3 million won is $1,993 and change. A couple of weeks ago is was like $50 less.. Let's hope it stays or grows.)
Once that was settled it was time to sign the contract and send it along with the all other required documents. Before I ran to the FedEx (that or DHL as the preferred shipping options), I had to talk to my Visa Rep. Michelle was finished with her part, although her door was still open for questions but my Visa Rep was the one to ask about, the visa process. OK, so I was anxious to speak to this person, each day lost at this point would cost me, financially and having time to settle in appropriately in S. Korea. I know me very well. Transitions aren't my strong suit, not in the least. I would be the one to cry before the first day of school.. almost through H.S.. The 6th passed and finally heard on the 7th.. Cindi, my rep went over the paperwork before I shipped it. One more final check to see if everything is in order. Good. That ensures a smoother process. With that, she sent attachments to the email with details about what Hogwans (private schools) expect. The official transcript NOT opened. Yes, I got that... sealed envelopes with stamp. That is crucial. Keep this in mind.. as it is pertinent to a scenario soon ahead. I also had to send a copy of final page of my signed contract to Cindi with a copy of my background check. I was told there has been problems with this and giving her a copy ensures less problems. OK, I took a photo. I needed to add a cover letter stating my purpose of teaching in Korea. Health forms, has to primarily do with mental health and alcohol/drug use which is frowned upon there. They have had a lot of problems with alcohol with foreigners. Drug test once we get here. Well, not that I need to worry but I am sure there are some foreigners that who needed to stay dry for a few days or so.. Some have been tested false/positive with allergy medication. Sometimes I use some Benadryl to help sleep but laid off of that and medication in general unless really needed. I wanted this and Benadryl wasn't going to take it away.
Cindi, another personable person who commented about taking a belly dance class I believe in one of her emails. Fun chickie. Julice during this time was asking for a picture of me, I sent the passport one, she wanted another one.. I didn't ask why, just sent another. Now I can pretty much figure it out. I think the school wanted to see me.
By Wed. the 8th, I sent out my paperwork to the school. $40 bucks or so to send docs to Korea with FedEx. Wednesday shipment ensured a delivery by Monday. Had it been Tues, then Friday. I hoped for Tues but got the OK on Wed. when they heard I was so well prepared to go. They were grateful.
Step 1 of E2 process complete. Now Step 2 of E2 process. Finding out about the Korean consulate for visa interview. I knew from researching the apostille process that the closest consulate in my region (FL) was Atlanta, GA. I was speaking to Cindi about that as time might have to change my flight departure location from Miami to Atlanta. It all depended on the process of paperwork in Korea. That determined it. And now it is just a waiting game. How long things were going to take? One or two weeks, I was told two. Well, five day to recieve documents (because of weekend) and another week to get E2#.. so that equated around the 19th. Ok, that was good. That gave me time to go to Atlanta and come back to FL if I wanted to and not drag all my things there. The consulate rep, Deborah, very helpful and gave me all the details for process and calendar dates. I wanted to set a date and book a flight to save money and be safe but that wasn't feasible. I needed the E2#. I held off.
The 12th came, the school got the paperwork. All good... the 13th, not so lucky anymore. SOMEONE OPENED MY TRANSCRIPT. Someone from the school opened my transcript! I couldn't believe it, really I couldn't. This was official, this was sealed with a stamp, this was to be handled who knew what they were doing. Opened the transcript? Livid didn't describe it. So, Julice wrote this to me and Cindi and requested me to "fax" another one, FAX?? I had to take the time to get like 5 transcripts from NYU and now she asked for a fax... I was confused. Cindi was confused. Cindi followed up with Julice. She was very PC about it. I wanted to bite someone's head off. She then followed up the next day to FedEx another one. Got more angry, another $40, no way. This end process was going to be expensive. The apostille, $20, not bad, the notary another $20 or so, background check $10 and now $80 for this. I spoke to Cindi about the school covering cost. She spoke to Julice.. yes, the school would cover cost. Damn straight.
Still very very upset... I saw the domino effect of this one "accident". Lose another week of processing. Paperwork arrive on the 19th. A week lost, big loss. Nothing I could do about it. There was no way I could start work on the 1st of Nov. I brought that up to Cindi and she discussed with Julice. It was eventually changed to the 9th which was still a very tight squeeze.
Well, Julice did work very hard to get things expedited once received second transcript. My suggestion, put a big note on the back of the transcript with a post it with bold: DO NOT OPEN! Put it in English/Korean, JUST DO IT! My instinct was to to that but I didn't because I didn't think they would be so careless. Sealed for a reason. I really could go on with this. That day and into the next, I could relieve this anger and I got so angry that I cried. Cried to my dear friend Christie. She gave me a great suggestion. Focus on something else. Simple, effective and true. I started on book, New Moon. An easy read. An easy distraction. Vampires can do that.
When the vampire mezmerization wore off, I would get angry again. I knew what was going to happen. I have learned to see 5 steps ahead at least. Many cultures don't do that, many men don't do that, but women do more and this one, me did. OK, so another $44 gone, for now, then $17 to send paperwork with a $45 money order to consulate. Then a last minute flight to Atlanta which did cost 3x more than it should. I could've done it for $59, then $79 but by the time I could confirm a flight it was $179 plus tax. Airtrans was the airline that offered best prices. Had to fly out from Atlanta which meant having to bring all of my things there with me, extra baggage costs (about $150 more- $50 each bag for overage weight and $40 just to put bags on plane). A place to stay, accommodations (if I couldn't stay with a friend of the family) major costs... I WAS PISSED. Wouldn't you be? Holy shit, they cost me good! This wasn't like adding tomato to a sandwich when I clearly said none... Accident, try train wreck in my head.
At this time I also got contact info to the girl was teaching at the school now. Beth, really was so friendly and helpful. She wrote in detail about everything I was interested in knowing about. We had Peru in common. She traveled there as I worked. Also sent an posting out on FB to people to see what things they must bring from home to give their new home a homey feel. I only got a few responses. Some said to leave it all behind. I felt leaving all my everyday comforts was enough. Just wanted a few things. The major "homey items" were some of my photos, primarily from Peru. Things I am proud of and a new arches paper pad and ink. A picture of my dad and I and the late Mr. Wyatt, my fatty cat.
That's all I could do is get my self in order, my things and close up any last important responsibilities like calling my bank and credit card company to make sure they are aware of my absence from the states and going to Korea.
