Its a dilemma

Why I probably won't be going to Korea in August

So, my timeline is already looking unrealistic. There are a heap of factors that I didn't really take into account when I began my planning for the Big Move. First and foremost is my Visa application.

Visa process

To obtain a Working Visa for South Korea there are a few things you need to arrange. Here is a bit of a checklist:

• Copy of University Degree (with apostille authentication)
• 2 sealed transcripts
• Criminal background check (with apostille authentication)
• Health statement - 2 copies
• Valid passport
• copy of information page of passport
• resume
• 4 passport photos
• signed contract
• Consult's checklist

I have no idea what an apostille is. I can't even type it properly, spellcheck keeps changing it to apostle :s and I don't know where to get one from. I have been on the website for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and I have emailed them so hopefully someone will get back to me on Monday.

Plus, my degree is currently locked in a glass cage of emotion (the stupid thing is in a frame). Its going to be a pain in the arse to get it out and make copies.

The Academic Transcript debacle. It is turning into a drama when it really didn't have to be. the first bit of info I read said I only needed one copy, so i only requested 1 from La tribe University. The transcript needed to be sealed specially with a stamp across the back of the seal for some reason. I don't know why, but if thats what the Korean Embassy want then as far as I am concerned they can have it. I expressed this to the Student Services people at La Trobe both over the phone and again when I emailed them my request. I even told them especially that it was for Visa application purposes. But noooooo, they didn't stamp the seal. So now I will probably need to pay more money to get another one done. And how do I know they will stamp it properly? I might either go down there and watch them do it, or draw them a diagram when I send the next email. For interest sake, the transcript cost me $15. I will do another tally of costs soon to see how much i have spent so far.

The criminal background check - I am not really concerned about this, I have never done anything illegal (as far as I know) so I am not concerned about what it will have on it. But I am concerned about how long it will take for it to be processed. The website says 15 working days but you never know. And there are a few different prices on the AFP website (Australian Federal Police for those playing at home) so I am not 100% sure about which one I am supposed to get. I am pretty sure it is just the general one, which is going to set me back I think $45. So thats more money...

I am off to see the doctor on Tuesday next week, so i will ask her then about this whole health check thing. This I am also a little concerned about. Not because I have some deadly contagious disease, but I do have a medical condition and I really hope it doesn't effect whether or not I am granted a Visa. 

In regards to my Crohn's disease, I am concerned about being able to get my prescriptions filled while in Korea. I am sure it will be fine, but I will organise an appointment with my specialist just to be on the safe side, and see if he knows anything.

The rest of the Visa stuff is all pretty straightforward - passport, passport photos, contract...

Contract? This is my next issue...

Applying for work

It turns out, I am shitting myself about applying for a job. I am too scared to apply, but not because I am worried no one will employ me, i'm worried they will. I am scared of being offered a job. If I accept a position, it will mean that I actually have to go and follow through with this crazy plan. I totally still plan on going, no doubt about it, but actually having an employment contract will make it real. And thats scary stuff. 

The process that appeals to me the most is contacting a good recruitment company and sending them my details and preferences. Then hopefully they can find me a job. The trick is finding an agency that is legit and seems to be safe and all that. But before I contact them, I need to get my resume and cover letter in order... 

I have a good resume but its not up to date, and probably isn't relevant for teaching. So that will need to be sorted out. And the cover letter is really stumping me. I really have no idea what to put in it. I mean, I know the info that needs to be there but every time I write one it is way too long, and I just don't know what is actually relevant and what isn't. So I thought that I might write a bit of a practice one and then get all my friends to look over it. And then I can adjust it and whatever.

I also need to attach a pic of myself to the cover letter and resume. So hopefully they won't think I am mega ugly and won't employ me. I might speak with my sis tomorrow and see if she can take some good pics of me. The passport ones from the chemist are always awful, so I will just try and get some semi decent ones at home. Im sure someone or something will tell me if the pics are no good (i.e. no one calls me).

I think my main issue with this whole "contract" thing is trying to figure out what is a good deal and what isn't... I really have no idea if I am signing into a good contract or a bad one. I can only hope that its all good when I arrive. 

In other news...

I passed and received my Certificate for the IELTS and TOEFL elective. So thats awesome. I am currently trying to complete the Business English module, and have enrolled in the Elementary Teaching. I think the next one I want to do will be teaching Grammar. At least if this Visa process ends up taking forever then I can get all my electives done in Australia... Another lovely frame to hang on my wall.

Billie the pony is going well. She trotted with a rider on her back for the first time ever this afternoon and I was super impressed. She is pretty flighty at the moment, she doesn't seem comfortable where she is. But really, she can just suck it up because I don't have time for her crap. Beau the horse is still lame, I am so over it I really just want to find a paddock to turn him out in. I need to not be thinking about it for a while.

Mums car is completely screwed. All the coolant has drained out and I don't know what to do. She is on the cruise until next Saturday so I will try and get it down to the mechanics sometime this week but I don't know if that will fix it. I really think its finally died. 

I think thats about it, I will bite the bullet and get my resume and cover letter sorted tomorrow and then start applying for positions next week. Its good that i am writing all this down, because I can hold myself a bit more accountable. I will also do a money tally update next post too.

xx