[edit - 12 August 2010] After much visa confusion, we now think we can have Amy and Naomi come to Korea on travel visas (good for 90 days for Americans and 180 days for Canadians). Then, they can apply for F-3 (dependent family) visas while in Korean. We'll try it, and, if there's a problem, we should at least be able to get it done in Fukuoka. I've heard opposite things in various places, so I'm less than certain of anything.
In unrelated news, I finally finished the mural at Thai restaurant I still, officially, manage:
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
28 July 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
27 July 2010
My school has found an apartment for us, but they want me to pay half of the housing deposit, which comes to roughly $8500; this is approximately $8500 more than we have. Good times...anyone wanna buy a car?
[edit 11 August 2010] The apartment was renting before the school could get to it. They're now looking for a new one...
26 July 2010
I started looking for a job about a year ago, but was told by several agents that it was too soon - schools aren't looking this far in advance. When I began looking again, about 6 months later, their excitement about me faded when they learned I'd be bringing a family. Apparently, this is less desirable for schools. Having zero classroom experience didn't help either.
After several months of talking to agents, without actually applying or speaking to schools, I finally found an agent who didn't think that a family would be a problem. He set up an interview within 1 or 2 weeks. At the same time another agent, whose boss told her 'not to waste her time' looking for work for me, had made it her mission to find a job for me. The former set up an interview with a public school (which I eventually chose). I spoke with two Korea EFL teachers. One asked me "You are a Christian?" "Yes." "Are you a good Christian?" "Uh, I think so...I try to be." After the interview, they told me they were going to talk to the principal and call me back. While I was waiting, I found out that the other agent had found a private school that wanted me to work for them. I was eventually offered both jobs in the same day. Good to have options. Public schools are better to work for (more stability, etc.) and this one was willing to find larger housing for us.
Currently, the school is still looking for a suitable apartment for us. The school is called Sammoru Elementary School, which is in the city of Anyang (near Seoul). I'll be flying on the 28th; Amy and Naomi will come one week later. Hopefully, we'll find a renter for our condo before then!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)