Showing posts with label E-2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label E-2. Show all posts
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Home Stretch!
Finally got those apostilles.
For all the trouble that I went through getting things notarized and signed, I was in the Secretary of State office for all of 3 minutes. Whatever. Its done!
I scanned the documents at Staples and emailed them to Korea to make sure they check out.
THEY DO!
One drawback tho. They want me to scan my official transcript envelope and send that. That's fine with me, it just adds another day between now and when I can actually ship my stuff. I guess its not all that bad. I'm still waiting for one of my reference letters. Hopefully that comes in tomorrow.
I just want to get everything sent and done with.
For all the trouble that I went through getting things notarized and signed, I was in the Secretary of State office for all of 3 minutes. Whatever. Its done!
I scanned the documents at Staples and emailed them to Korea to make sure they check out.
THEY DO!
One drawback tho. They want me to scan my official transcript envelope and send that. That's fine with me, it just adds another day between now and when I can actually ship my stuff. I guess its not all that bad. I'm still waiting for one of my reference letters. Hopefully that comes in tomorrow.
I just want to get everything sent and done with.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
documents documents documents
Visa documents. aka one big headache.
I spent the day in Providence yesterday trying to get my visa documents all in order. Printing the contract and health form as well as getting passport size pictures taken and photocopying my actual passport were a breeze. The degree and background check were what stressed me out the most.
Obtaining my criminal record check was very easy. All it took was a $5 check and my driver's license. I took that along with a photocopy of my degree to the RI courthouse where my aunt works to get them notarized. The notary sent me to the Secretary of State's office saying that he had nothing to notarize because I wasn't signing anything. The lady at the Secretary of State's office said that in order to get the apostille stamp I first had to get the notary stamp on my degree and the Attorney General's signature on my background check. Also...everything closes in half an hour. FML. I was able to run back and get my background check signed but not my degree...and therefore no apostille. Now I have to go to Providence again on monday to get that taken care of.
Good news! I can go to any bank and get my degree notarized, right? Well...sort of. This morning I went to the bank to do that. After waiting for what seemed like forever to be seen, I hit another roadblock. The bank notary told me the same thing as the notary in Providence. I had to tell her my whole story before she realized what I was trying to do. 2 phone calls and a mini banker conference later, I finally got my degree stamped. Halleluja.
Now I'm just waiting on my letters of reference.
I spent the day in Providence yesterday trying to get my visa documents all in order. Printing the contract and health form as well as getting passport size pictures taken and photocopying my actual passport were a breeze. The degree and background check were what stressed me out the most.
Obtaining my criminal record check was very easy. All it took was a $5 check and my driver's license. I took that along with a photocopy of my degree to the RI courthouse where my aunt works to get them notarized. The notary sent me to the Secretary of State's office saying that he had nothing to notarize because I wasn't signing anything. The lady at the Secretary of State's office said that in order to get the apostille stamp I first had to get the notary stamp on my degree and the Attorney General's signature on my background check. Also...everything closes in half an hour. FML. I was able to run back and get my background check signed but not my degree...and therefore no apostille. Now I have to go to Providence again on monday to get that taken care of.
Good news! I can go to any bank and get my degree notarized, right? Well...sort of. This morning I went to the bank to do that. After waiting for what seemed like forever to be seen, I hit another roadblock. The bank notary told me the same thing as the notary in Providence. I had to tell her my whole story before she realized what I was trying to do. 2 phone calls and a mini banker conference later, I finally got my degree stamped. Halleluja.
Now I'm just waiting on my letters of reference.
Friday, July 10, 2009
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!
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!
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