start of the adventure

So here goes.

I just got accepted to teach English in South Korea for a year! I really can't believe this is happening so fast. Less than a week has gone by and already I'm getting all the necessary documents together for my E-2 visa.

For anyone who is thinking of teaching in South Korea, you're going to have to get an E-2 visa. Which is specifically for foreign English instructors.

Lets start at the beginning.

Applying for the ESL position was one of the easiest job related things I've ever done. I used the Transitions Abroad website, but other sites such as Dave's ESL Cafe are great too. Once I found the posting that appealed to me most (in terms of salary, benefits, and location) all I had to do was send my resume and a photo. South Korea being 13 hours ahead of me emailed me back within 2 hours. It was about 9pm when I first sent my resume, so it was about 10am the next day there. After some email correspondence I had a quick phone call and before I knew it my name was being submitted to the Yeosu Board of Education while i was looking over a sample contract.

One day later I was confirmed to teach and was given the official contract and a list of documents to gather for my visa.

My official list is:

2 passport sized photos
a photocopy of my passport
2 signed copies of the contract
a notarized apostilled copy of my degree
a notarized apostilled criminal background check
a sealed official transcript
health statement
2 letters of recommendation

(i already have the transcript)

Apostilled documents are basically notarized documents which are recognized for international use. Which means I have to go to the Secretary of State office in Providence to get that taken care of.

More to come as I get closer to departure!