So many decisions...

This blog of course is intended to keep all our friends and family informed on what we're up to but besides that we want to update it with step by step information on how our journey has been for other potential ESL (English as a second language) teachers to follow. Thankfully, I have come across some very informative blogs written by other expats that help to explain the process of moving and living abroad as well as where we can find those precious comforts of home, like fitted sheets for example :) Apparently, Koreans don't have them and they are difficult to locate so I've already noted that as something we may want to bring. Hopefully, others will see our blog as an informative resource.

While Aaron is busy with school, I've taken it upon myself to do some research on how exactly we plan on getting to Korea. There are a few ways to go about landing a teaching job and right now I'm focusing on which ones are the safest, most efficient and least stressful. The biggest question raised is whether or not we should use a recruiter. As Aaron metioned in the first post, he has already submitted his resume to a few recruiters but there will be no decisions made until we are 2 or 3 months out from our desired departure date of February '08. However, after reading several opinions on the subject, some expats advise that prospectful teachers arrive in Korea prior to signing a contract and find a school (positon) only after you have seen it, talked to other foreign teachers about how they are getting along, and after you have seen your "rent-paid, furnished" apartment that is promised to all by most schools.
This raises concern with us because as if it weren't hard enough to move to another country, signing a contract here at home (sight unseen), can be daunting. For us, ideally we'd like to work with a REPUTABLE recruiter that can do the leg work for us and help us along the way. The only problem is finding that reputable recruiter who will truly help us get settled and also help with anything else that may come up during our 1 year stay.
I've done the Google search with several recruiting agency's and to be honest, the results are fairly weak. I can't seem to find too may testimonials (except of course the cheesy, always positive ones they post on thier own web page. Ugh.)
That is why I am sorting through blogs and forums like Dave's ESL Cafe and looking for any insight to the best ways to get there. Here's a few tips I've come across several times:


There is no charge to use a recruiter. They get paid by the schools for hiring responsible people for the teaching positions. In turn, you are hoping that the recruiters are upholding a strong reputation. After all, they are a business.


While recruiters are here to help find you a job, it is up to you to look over the contract and sign it.

Before accepting a position, you should request to speak to current teachers who will let you know about their experience at that school.

I'll add more as I think of it :)

Tah tah for now,
Katie

My first thoughts...

I'll admit that my first thoughts were negative. I pictured me balancing a vase or basket on my head while trudging up a hill to our humble little grass hut. I know, it's very naive, but after living a very sheltered 24 years, I couldn't help it. After doing some research we found that we'll most likely be in the large city of Seoul, if not very near to it and all teaching contracts come with a rent-paid, furnished apartment. Really. Seoul is very contemporary and largely reflects Western culture. Transportation is super convenient and efficient and, thankfully, super cheap.

However, I'm still a little freaked out and would like to avoid the following:

Dog meat dishes- or anything other than beef, chicken or pork
Dance Dance Revolution
techno music
the city water- we hear it's HORRIBLE
Visa runs to Japan
bad Hagwons- schools with crooked owners
running out of deodorant- apparently Koreans don't sweat like us Westerners. Wha???

On the other hand, here's what I'm looking forward to:

shopping :)
being millionaires in Won
trying kimchi- it's a staple to Korean meals
hiking
being a stay at home wife
care packages from home

You can only imagine all the info we are reading about living and teaching in Korea. You never know what is truly legitimate and because of that, most of my questions and uncertainties will remain so until we arrive. For now, we're trying to find the most credible and repetitive information on the web and at will use it as a basic guide. Also, we want to be as prepared in advance as possible before leaving and I'm doing tons of research on what to bring. Like a years supply of deodorant.

Katie

Post The First

Welcome to the blog -our first ever. At present, we are still eight or nine months away from embarking on our journey to South Korea, but we thought it wouldn't hurt to get started blogging now. For one thing, it might be nice to look back on this blog months from now when we've been on a steady diet of rice noodles and kimchi, and imagine that we once lived a normal life back in America.

I (Aaron) am still working on my Bachelor's and won't be finished until mid December. Currently I'm taking twelve credits of summer courses, and am totally stoked (yeah, right!) about the eighteen I will be taking this fall whilst continuing to work full-time. Meanwhile, Katie has also been working full-time, as well as taking care of practically everything essential to our every day existence.

As far as Korea is concerned, we have actively been looking at recruiters and everything else that pertains to living, working, and getting there. There is a truly mind-blowing amount of information available on the Internet regarding teaching in Korea. As might be imagined, much of it is contradictory, not to mention dubious. Nevertheless, we are faithfully sorting through the veritable ocean of electronic info, trying to make heads or tails out of it all. I have applied with two recruiters thus far, both of whom encouraged candidates to apply even if one's degree is not yet complete and the date of earliest possible departure is some time distant.

The picture above is of Katie, caught in a candid moment of thoughful contemplation regarding her future life abroad.