it is ten minutes before Jeopardy starts and I have been looking for jobs all day. I have slowly given up on this Korea adventure. It has been pushing three weeks since my documents have been at the immigration office in Seoul and I have yet to hear from them with my visa number. I figure I would continue applying for jobs because this unemployment is killing me.
I really want to stay in a school, but I will take anything now. I told my recruiter I wanted to leave ASAP, but now I will take the first job that's offered to me. I can't watch my life pass me by waiting for this opportunity. I have to move on. I will keep you posted on the news I hear.
Thanks for all the support
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Next Step
So my first round of documents are finally at the immigration office in Seoul. Great news. They were received last Tuesday (Monday our time) and it takes "a minimum of one week, a maximum of two weeks" as my recruiter told me. Hopefully it is closer to the one week instead of the two weeks. If all goes according to plan, by the end of next week I'll be in Chicago for my interview.
The interview asks some pretty hard questions: Why are you interested in South Korea (versus another country)? How will your major help you become an effective teacher? How is South Korea different from America? (be specific). What do you know about Korea? What’s your career plan after a visit to Korea? If you don’t have any teaching experience, how do you think you can manage?...just to name a few. I already know what I'm going to say and I already have my examples ready so I don't think it will be that bad.
I am still very excited to embark on this journey. I will finally be able to live on my own (which I've been wanting to do for one year now) and experience that. The apartments are fully furnished with a full kitchen and all appliances, a bed and living room furniture. Usually it's a one bedroom or studio apartment within walking distance of my school. Since Inje is so small - a population of 34,000 - I'm assuming my walk will be minimal.
The apartment is free as well as the round trip airfare. That's a pretty good deal as they pay you a monthly wage on top of that. I think I will be able to do some traveling (hopefully to Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo) and I'll still be able to save money and bring it home. It seems like there are lots of advantages to this program, so I am eager to get over there and start working!
Until next time...hopefully the next post will bring photos of my trip to Chicago!
The interview asks some pretty hard questions: Why are you interested in South Korea (versus another country)? How will your major help you become an effective teacher? How is South Korea different from America? (be specific). What do you know about Korea? What’s your career plan after a visit to Korea? If you don’t have any teaching experience, how do you think you can manage?...just to name a few. I already know what I'm going to say and I already have my examples ready so I don't think it will be that bad.
I am still very excited to embark on this journey. I will finally be able to live on my own (which I've been wanting to do for one year now) and experience that. The apartments are fully furnished with a full kitchen and all appliances, a bed and living room furniture. Usually it's a one bedroom or studio apartment within walking distance of my school. Since Inje is so small - a population of 34,000 - I'm assuming my walk will be minimal.
The apartment is free as well as the round trip airfare. That's a pretty good deal as they pay you a monthly wage on top of that. I think I will be able to do some traveling (hopefully to Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo) and I'll still be able to save money and bring it home. It seems like there are lots of advantages to this program, so I am eager to get over there and start working!
Until next time...hopefully the next post will bring photos of my trip to Chicago!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
It's Always a Production!!
If you have started reading my blog again, you must know that I will be teaching English in Inje, South Korea for one full year. Honestly, I have been applying for jobs since May 2010 because I knew my contract with AmeriCorps would be ending in August 2010; so I thought I would get a head start.
I had four interviews: Bilingual Paraprofessional with the Hmong Charter School I worked at, Associate Educator in Minneapolis Public Schools, Student Learning Advocate in Anoka School District and Manager of Education at Junior Achievement. Needless to say, no one offered me a job. I continued looking, trying not to be discouraged, but the feeling was there nevertheless.
I thought of applying to banks or back to Subway where I worked in college for two years, but neither of those seemed appealing. I want a job in education. I stumbled upon this job of teaching English in South Korea and applied immediately. The only qualifications are having a college degree and fluency in English. Seeing as I graduated and am American, obviously I met qualifications.
I met with a friends of mine from high school that taught one year in Korea while she was back on her break. She loved the job and the experience so much, she decided to renew her contract for one more year. We met for coffee and discussed her year of teaching. She continued to say that there is still an opening with the company she went through, so I also applied to that one. A couple days later I had an interview.
The interview lasted only a 10-15 minutes, just like all the others. To my surprise, at the end the recruiter offered me a job. I accepted.
Now, I'm in the long process of gathering documents, interviewing with schools, more accepting, sending paperwork, waiting, going to Chicago, more waiting, packing, booking a flight, then leaving. I'm right around the first waiting period, then road tripping to Chicago, which is exciting because I have never been there.
That's all I got for now. I will keep everyone posted as it comes. Thanks for reading!
I had four interviews: Bilingual Paraprofessional with the Hmong Charter School I worked at, Associate Educator in Minneapolis Public Schools, Student Learning Advocate in Anoka School District and Manager of Education at Junior Achievement. Needless to say, no one offered me a job. I continued looking, trying not to be discouraged, but the feeling was there nevertheless.
I thought of applying to banks or back to Subway where I worked in college for two years, but neither of those seemed appealing. I want a job in education. I stumbled upon this job of teaching English in South Korea and applied immediately. The only qualifications are having a college degree and fluency in English. Seeing as I graduated and am American, obviously I met qualifications.
I met with a friends of mine from high school that taught one year in Korea while she was back on her break. She loved the job and the experience so much, she decided to renew her contract for one more year. We met for coffee and discussed her year of teaching. She continued to say that there is still an opening with the company she went through, so I also applied to that one. A couple days later I had an interview.
The interview lasted only a 10-15 minutes, just like all the others. To my surprise, at the end the recruiter offered me a job. I accepted.
Now, I'm in the long process of gathering documents, interviewing with schools, more accepting, sending paperwork, waiting, going to Chicago, more waiting, packing, booking a flight, then leaving. I'm right around the first waiting period, then road tripping to Chicago, which is exciting because I have never been there.
That's all I got for now. I will keep everyone posted as it comes. Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
An average day for a Promise Fellow
I have been volunteering for AmeriCorps now for two months and it has been exciting and challenging. I do my best to help students improve their grades and involve them in service-learning projects.
I've created a grading sheet for each student so they can ask their teachers what their grades are and track them on a weekly basis. They then report their grades to me so I know how I can help them whether it be by: recruiting volunteers for in-class support, one-on-one tutoring or assisting in hoework help during our after school programs. Most of my interaction with the students is after school and in that time we do homework help, creative writing, talk about service learning and reflect on our service-learning projects and our partner SEACC visits and presents on leadership.
I love the students here and I'm gaining a lot of experience being in a school setting and having a teacher role. I hope these experiences will help me decide which career path I want to travel down after my year of volunteering. I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life and this experience has had a major impact and opened my eyes to new careers I have never thought of before.
I've created a grading sheet for each student so they can ask their teachers what their grades are and track them on a weekly basis. They then report their grades to me so I know how I can help them whether it be by: recruiting volunteers for in-class support, one-on-one tutoring or assisting in hoework help during our after school programs. Most of my interaction with the students is after school and in that time we do homework help, creative writing, talk about service learning and reflect on our service-learning projects and our partner SEACC visits and presents on leadership.
I love the students here and I'm gaining a lot of experience being in a school setting and having a teacher role. I hope these experiences will help me decide which career path I want to travel down after my year of volunteering. I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life and this experience has had a major impact and opened my eyes to new careers I have never thought of before.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
¡Me encanta guacamole!
Hello all. Sorry it has been such a long time. Here is the short story. We are filled with class everyday, usually going to museums and whatnot after classes, then I come home and eat, take a siesta, then hang out in Guanajuato. For a grade (yes, I am still in school here) I have to write everyday in a journal talking about observations and experiences (in Spanish), write six compositions, a final essay, particiátion and an oral presentation with my roommate. In other words, they keep us busy here.
Other than the school work, it is fun just walking around a foreign city, listening and speaking Spanish and getting lost. I love exploring and wwalking around. I feel that is the best way to learn about a new city.
We just got back from a four day excursion in Michoacán, which is about three hours away by bus. The first day there we stayed in cabins. They weren{t the best cabins, but it was a very good cultural experience. The little town we stayed in was so small and they had their own indiginous language. It was very interesating. The next day, we rode on horses for seven hours to a volcano. I know, how random. It was pretty fun, accept I was complaining the whole way becuase the stirrup was rubbing oin my ankle the whole time there. That was pretty uncomfortable. Some of the group climbed to the top of the volcano by foot, but I stayed behind with this girl and we took an hour nap. That was refreshing. After the whole group came down, we rode back and this time it was more fun. Thank God that the stirrup felt better because that made the ride so much easier. Also on the way there, the horses trotted more than galloped, so it was very bumpy. I think my stirrups were either too long or too short becuase my butt was hitting that saddle like a car going over 84 consecutive speedbumps. And these owners of these horses gave us no instructions. So all these college students who have never riden horses before are going on a seven hour ride without instructions. It was very interesting. But the way back was more fun because the galloped and it was smoother of a run that trotting than walking.
The other days were pretty fun too. We went to another city in Michoacán and styaed two nights in a hotel. We had time to walk around the city and free time to ourselves. I got back last night around 9 o{clock and today we went to a waterpark. Fun.
Only six more days and I will be back. The time flies when you{re speaking Spanish. See you all in less than a week.
Other than the school work, it is fun just walking around a foreign city, listening and speaking Spanish and getting lost. I love exploring and wwalking around. I feel that is the best way to learn about a new city.
We just got back from a four day excursion in Michoacán, which is about three hours away by bus. The first day there we stayed in cabins. They weren{t the best cabins, but it was a very good cultural experience. The little town we stayed in was so small and they had their own indiginous language. It was very interesating. The next day, we rode on horses for seven hours to a volcano. I know, how random. It was pretty fun, accept I was complaining the whole way becuase the stirrup was rubbing oin my ankle the whole time there. That was pretty uncomfortable. Some of the group climbed to the top of the volcano by foot, but I stayed behind with this girl and we took an hour nap. That was refreshing. After the whole group came down, we rode back and this time it was more fun. Thank God that the stirrup felt better because that made the ride so much easier. Also on the way there, the horses trotted more than galloped, so it was very bumpy. I think my stirrups were either too long or too short becuase my butt was hitting that saddle like a car going over 84 consecutive speedbumps. And these owners of these horses gave us no instructions. So all these college students who have never riden horses before are going on a seven hour ride without instructions. It was very interesting. But the way back was more fun because the galloped and it was smoother of a run that trotting than walking.
The other days were pretty fun too. We went to another city in Michoacán and styaed two nights in a hotel. We had time to walk around the city and free time to ourselves. I got back last night around 9 o{clock and today we went to a waterpark. Fun.
Only six more days and I will be back. The time flies when you{re speaking Spanish. See you all in less than a week.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Last night in the U.S.
Well, one more night in my own bed, then I am off to Mexico. I am pretty excited, just working on some last minute packing. It's too bad because my flight leaves at 6:50 tomorrow morning, so we have to meet two hours early, at 4:50. So now that we live in Oak Grove, who knows how long it takes to get to the airport...I think an hour or so. Oh well, I guess I feel more bad for my parents that they have to get up that early because they still have to go to a full day's of work, and I know I will sleep on the plane ;)
I am looking over our tentative schedule, and it turns out we really only meet 12 days for class, which is pretty cool because we have time to ourselves on the weekends and one excursion we are making to Puebla, which is a couple hours away (I'm not really sure in what direction). So, I will earn four credits and be back by June 6. We won't be taking classes in the University. Instead, two Spanish instructors are coming with us from UMD and are going to teach on the rooftop of the hotel they are staying in. We meet there for about two hours then leave to tour the city, usually going to mueseums and to the theatre.
The students (about 18 of us from UMD) are staying with host families. I have a roommate who I actually worked with at Target when I was 16. It was by coincidence that we were both going on the same study abroad trip, so we thought it would be fun to room together. Also, all the students are on the same flight, which is way different from last time because I was responsible for finding my own transportation to Spain. So I think this way will be a little less stressful. Well, I should finish packing, and then my parents and I are eating dinner. For some reason, I am starving. So I better fuel up on my last bit of American food before I start eating tacos, refried beans and quesadillas along with margaritas and coronas!!!!...with lemons :)
I am looking over our tentative schedule, and it turns out we really only meet 12 days for class, which is pretty cool because we have time to ourselves on the weekends and one excursion we are making to Puebla, which is a couple hours away (I'm not really sure in what direction). So, I will earn four credits and be back by June 6. We won't be taking classes in the University. Instead, two Spanish instructors are coming with us from UMD and are going to teach on the rooftop of the hotel they are staying in. We meet there for about two hours then leave to tour the city, usually going to mueseums and to the theatre.
The students (about 18 of us from UMD) are staying with host families. I have a roommate who I actually worked with at Target when I was 16. It was by coincidence that we were both going on the same study abroad trip, so we thought it would be fun to room together. Also, all the students are on the same flight, which is way different from last time because I was responsible for finding my own transportation to Spain. So I think this way will be a little less stressful. Well, I should finish packing, and then my parents and I are eating dinner. For some reason, I am starving. So I better fuel up on my last bit of American food before I start eating tacos, refried beans and quesadillas along with margaritas and coronas!!!!...with lemons :)
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Another Study Abroad Experience
Well, as the school year is ending, I am preparing myself for another study abroad. This time it is in Guanajuato, Mexico (just north of Mexico City) and it is only for three weeks. I leave May 19 and return June 6.
Just tonight I found out where I was living. I am living with a host family with a friend of mine from UMD. He actually worked with me at Target when I was 16. He first went to a community college in Iowa and later transfered to UMD. It was by coincidence that we were both accpeted to this study abroad, so we decided to room together. The only confusing thing is that his name is Andrew too, so our host mom will have a fun time with that.
I am trying to figure out what I need to pack. The weather is pretty nice down there, between 80 and 90 degrees. A drastic change from Minnesotan weather. Too bad my city isn't on the coast by a beach, but hopefully I can make it there.
That's about all I have for now. Hopefully I can write on here often. I am debating whether I will keep a physical journal, or use this as a journal so I can keep you all informed. I probably won't write much before I leave, but hopefully often when I am there. Thanks for reading.
Just tonight I found out where I was living. I am living with a host family with a friend of mine from UMD. He actually worked with me at Target when I was 16. He first went to a community college in Iowa and later transfered to UMD. It was by coincidence that we were both accpeted to this study abroad, so we decided to room together. The only confusing thing is that his name is Andrew too, so our host mom will have a fun time with that.
I am trying to figure out what I need to pack. The weather is pretty nice down there, between 80 and 90 degrees. A drastic change from Minnesotan weather. Too bad my city isn't on the coast by a beach, but hopefully I can make it there.
That's about all I have for now. Hopefully I can write on here often. I am debating whether I will keep a physical journal, or use this as a journal so I can keep you all informed. I probably won't write much before I leave, but hopefully often when I am there. Thanks for reading.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.JPG)
.JPG)
