Another One Bites The Dust

Quite another disappointment in the process of going to Korea.  Who knew that what started as me leaving by August 1 turned into me still being in Walhalla today, August 23?  I was informed last night (during my awesome Jack Johnson concert trip) that my position teaching English in Incheon was no longer available.  Apparently the school's principal double signed teachers (this one already living in Korea) without informing my recruiting agency or myself.  Now, I am on the hunt again for teaching positions.  This is kind of busting my bubble more and more.  I was disappointed the first time, but this time I'm a little peeved.  Isn't the saying, "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me?"

Here We Go Again

So, after a ton of deliberation, I decided to choose the job in Incheon and forego all the interviews I had scheduled for today.  I was supposed to have a Skype interview with a position in Suwon, a phone interview with a different position in Suwon, and a phone interview for a position in Jeonju.  Each of those places had other foreign teachers at the schools, while the school in Incheon will have only one foregin teacher - me.  This did enter my thought process and I think maybe I should give it a whirl.  I mean, Incheon is a rather large city - an international business city - and there are bound to be many expats there.  So despite my not working with any expats, I'm sure to run into some around town...right?

After making my decision, I decided to sign my contract and send it off - this time via FedEx.  To my utter surprise, the total was $21 less than UPS!! What a rip off, UPS! I sent it the same way - priority/overnight/whatever it is that will get there the fastest, and FedEx is extremely cheaper.  I am now boycotting UPS. That's a fact.

Rollercoaster

My throat tightened; it was hard to swallow.  The lump was not budging as I called Jennifer (from Travel and Teach Recruiting) back to hear the disappointing news.  She informed me that my position at Jayon Language School was no longer available.  After sending my documents to Korea, leaving my apartment and life in Columbia, separating clothes to pack for Korea, the teacher I was going to replace decided she wanted to stay another year.  Nevermind the contract I had signed.  Clearly, it meant nothing.  Jennifer was upset to deliver the news, but reassured me that I was her first priority in placing me in a school in Korea.  I sit in my car as my face heats up, my eyes relent and tears fall.  My heart drops to think that I have to stay in Walhalla even longer than expected.  What if I don't get a job anytime soon?  Where do I go from here?


After days of borderline depression, lying around, hunting for meaningless jobs, I decide to be proactive.  I contant a friend of my sister's to find out how he got to Korea and he sent me to an amazing website.  Instantly I go to the website and place my resume.  Within two hours, I have around eight emails and two phone calls.  This whirlwind overwhelmed me when offer after offer came in.  Now, I have a position in Incheon, an offer (and pending interview) for Suwon and Jeonju.  How am I ever going to make this decision?! I hate making choices and I don't want to leave any schools with a sour taste in their mouth towards me.  But I guess it's all up to me? This is going to take some time. I feel a loyalty to Jennifer with Travel and Teach Recruiting, but I am only waiting on a contract with JJ Recruiting for the position in Incheon. Too many avenues!

Just Wait

Here I am, three days from my initial date to ship off to Korea, and yet I am stuck in Walhalla biding my time until the Korean Immigration Office speeds up and gives me my issuance number. After sending my documents via "overnight" UPS on a Monday, they arrived that Friday. I then received an email from Jennifer saying that my school submitted the documents to Korean Immigration, but the office is so busy, it will take 10-15 days to process. She then stated that the expected date would be no later than August 15. However, I have yet to hear word on the status of my documents or anything. A little worried? Yes. Anxious? Yes. Nervous? Yes. I have yet to begin packing (although I tell everyone I'm going to start a list)...I just have no idea if I can pack from an entire year and not leave anything. Plus I feel a lot of things are going to be happening this year that I will miss out on: Karrie and Trey's wedding, Shugart's law school graduation, her bar examination, Michelle's graduate school graduation...I'm probably missing something significant. Although I will be out of the country for these momentous milestones in everyone's life, hopefully they will forgive my absence, as I, too, am embarking on something momentous...they know I love them and wish to be there! (And I wish for them to come to Korea, too....MICHELLE!!)


Just a week ago, I spoke with a guy that returned from South Korea not too long ago. He said he had the time of his life; so, I'm thoroughly looking forward to beginning my adventure. Oh! On another note, a guy I know has an uncle who is a principal at a school in either Dubai or Abu Dabi in the UAE. What an awesome connection to have in the off chance that I will be able to teach in the Middle East. A dream come true! I've decided my profession should be a traveling teacher :)