…or wait until February to leave for the big trip? This is the question I am debating with myself right now. I follow Graham and his blog (he is in Xi’an, China and teaches ESL) and decided to email him. He responded with very positive things to say about teaching ESL. He gave me some websites and the inspiration to look into teaching ESL. Thanks Graham!
Applying
I applied to a few jobs in S. Korea and Thailand (only jobs not requiring a CELTA certificate or any other ESL class experience) about a week ago. On Monday the 6th I got a response via email to a job in S. Korea and then a follow up call on Tuesday. Granted, this is only a recruiter (like a headhunter for ESL) for S. Korea.
Seoul is close to N. Korea and thats where I want to teach! 
Getting all documents needed for work Visa
After the email and phone conversation, I needed to acquire some documents and other necessary items for a working visa in S. Korea. My original diploma, 3 stamped and sealed transcripts, 2 passport photos, a certified background check from State Police (this one scares me…haha), resume, cover letter and answers to some questions on why I would be a good choice.
So I am currently in the process of getting these documents. After I have all of them (probably be about 2 weeks), I will call my contact back and let her know. Then, hopefully a job comes available and we agree on the contract and then I am off!
Teaching or traveling?
Well, I thought about this a lot and will continue to do so. I am just so anxious to leave the states and start something new and “live uncomfortably” that I am not sure if I can wit another 7 months for me to save money for the trip. As I researched ESL, S. Korea offers great salary and the cost of living is low. So…I could potentially save $1,000 a month while teaching. The contracts usually are for 12 months (some are less) and they pay for your roundtrip flight from USA to S. Korea and also provide an apartment and holidays/vacations and 1 month bonus pay when contract is complete AND some places only require you to work about 20-25 hours a week….not too shabby!
If I was offered a reasonable position in S. Korea within the next 3 months…I will probably take it. Since I can leave WHENEVER I want basically…(preferably have a week or two for packing and other essentials)…this would be a good option for me. I could leave early and be abroad already. I could explore Korea (hopefully N. Korea wouldn’t bomb S. Korea) and learn lots of things and try EVERYthing. I wouldn’t be in corporate america anymore, I would be an expatriot teaching ESL. I could make new friends and save money. When my contract was completed, I could use the airfare provided for me to go home to start my RTW trip and potentially have $30 K at my disposal.
Now just to get all the documents and hope for a job to come up soon! Next post will be about my current living situation and how it is now SOOOO much better!
Tags: CELTA, Chris Dyer, Criminal background check, ESL, ESL money, ESL teaching, Korea, N. Korea, RTW trip, S. Korea, save money, Travel, travel blog