Extending or Renewing Your Visa Experience 2012

I had the fun and pleasure today of making it to the Anguk Immigration Office to renew / extend my visa. Since I am staying at my school it was necessary for me to go to immigration and get this done on my own.

The documents I needed were pretty basic, compared to getting a new visa. This time all I needed was a copy of my contract, school's registration, passport..alien card...and other ones. Hehe you can check the immigration website.

Out of exit 6 you go up to the SK Hub building and take the stairs to the 2nd floor. Find your way to the big room with all the chairs and people sitting in them. Find the ticket machine and press the green button hard enough to make a ticket come out.

I didn't wait too long, and soon was sitting behind an English speaking assistant. I did have to run around for a few things to complete the process. Like buying the stamps from a different room and also making copies of my passport pages. In addition, I was made to scan my fingerprints. Finally, after all that I received my alien card back with a new date entered on the back. It was quite easy and probably would have went even faster had I made an appointment. Overall, I'm pretty happy and satisfied with my experience at immigration today. Hope all future immigration trips will be just as easy.

Moving On Up to the 2nd Grade

It came as a complete surprise. A text from the boss on my computer, after I returned from lunch. Requesting I come and talk to him about next semester. I replied and the next thing I knew I was up in his room learning of my near future.

Turns out all of the 2nd grade teachers are moving on next year. For each grade there is a team leader and these folks, as you can imagine, manage the show. So 2nd grade's team leader would be missing. In short, he wanted me to move up to 2nd grade Math and be the team leader.

At first, I was skeptical because I liked staying in 1st with all my materials and plans for next year.  But I was curious and so learned more of his proposal. Turns out he really needs someone to fill the 2nd grade team leader position, and felt I was best because I have experience with the kids and the school. Plus it fits that I will go into 2nd Grade Math, as the book is the same company and similar material.

I had 5 minutes before my afternoon classes started and so there wasn't much time to fully comprehend it all. I told him I would talk to the current person in that position and get back to him.

Walking back to my class I knew I didn't really have a choice. I could fight to stay in 1st with all my stuff, but in this situation it seemed the best thing to take the promotion. My classes finished and I had a talk with the 2nd grade Math teacher. It went well and I got a hold of the book, lesson plans and monthly planner.

I headed up to my boss and told him I would do it. He seemed really pleased and likely relieved. I was glad to hear I get monthly extra compensation for being a team leader.

Since then I have already figured out how many lessons fit into next year's schedule, and soon I should be cranking out my own lessons. I won't deny it, I am a bit overwhelmed because of all this, but holding onto the feeling that I'm important at this school.

Of course, I have a feeling the thing of "team leader" is going to hit me soon. I'm a pretty good organizer and do have leadership skills. But this requires keeping up very good relations with the Korean homeroom teachers. However, I think by now I've got that under control.

Anyways, I know what my Christmas vacation is going to look like now!

Ink is on the Paper

Just finished signing my new contract. There were a few changes in there, one including I have to give a deposit for my house (wasn't done last year).

As for the raise, I'll just say it wasn't what I was shooting for but it is in a good range. He thanked me for returning next year, and I sincerely said I look forward to it. Also I'll be in the same grade and subject, so I'm happy with that too.

Now to kick back I guess and relax...hey Christmas is coming.

No More School on Saturdays Means Changes

Just got word, right before I sign my new contract, that due to the "no-more school on Saturdays" thing that there will be changes next year. Basically they are going to start the Fall semester (in August) 2 weeks earlier. This means my summer vacation won't be a full two weeks, and instead is going to end up split between camp. They might consider changing the camp dates to give us a full two weeks, but as things are likely in cement already...I doubt it.

I asked about winter vacation (for next year) and got this response, "One week off for Christmas, then camp, then 2 weeks off for vacation." Whether that means our vacation extends into a third week, I don't know. At my school you can opt out of doing camp, but the only hitch is you don't get paid for those weeks. They did say they are dropping camp from 3 weeks to just 2 weeks. Now this makes me wonder what they will cut out of the camp programs, as we just spent this semester redesigning a lot of the camp. Obviously there are going to be some major differences next year due to this "no-more-Saturday" stuff.

I kind of like that camp will be just 2 weeks, as 3 weeks with the same group of kids does get old very fast.

I've inquired whether these changes mean there will be more class time altogether with the students. After thinking about it, I guess it means we have 2 extra weeks...right? Well I suppose I'll have enough work for next year if we extend everything, seeing as I am already a month behind in my book due to the recent drama festival.

I'm just bummed that they are going to split my summer vacation, as that is really a headache.Also they are mentioning now with no time to think about not resigning and looking for a school with better vacation. But I think this is a Seoul-wide problem and likely other schools are dealing with it too. I am signing the new contract today and really hope to get a raise, if not I want to hear a decent reason why.

Sign, Sign, Sign

Got the word I will sign my new contract next Tuesday. They are giving the resigning teachers 20 minutes each to get it done and ask any questions. I hope they give me the raise I asked for, but we will see. I'm excited as this will be my first time resigning. :)

Where it's at

You might think that I am overjoyed with the news that I get to stay at the same school for another year. Definitely considering this will be the first school that accepted me for another year, in my four years living here. But the rush of life has been keeping me distracted. Report cards, test making and teaching the kids has got my mind busy.

Yet, today as I walked home and left the gates of the school I felt a small pinch of realization. I don't have to move or hunt for another job, I will be here again next year. Finally, I felt some form of relief and looked at the pale gray sky with appreciation.

But then I remembered that I signed up for First grade again next year, and started to worry if this will be a mistake. They aren't the easiest bunch to teach; however, I am hoping with one year behind me it will get better. Yet, when I look at my students pictures on the homeroom wall I feel a pinch in my heart. I have grown attached to these little kids, even the "bad" ones and feel like I have learned a lot about myself as a teacher. I hope to share some of these things as they become clearer to me in my mind.

Altogether, the past three years of my life here in Korea feel like I was a different person. Now to move on to the next year.

It's a Yes!

Today I messaged my boss asking if I could know when we will talk about my contract. He said not till next week. So I asked if I could at least know a "yes" or "no" and we can talk about contract details later.

I got a "yes for you" response! Finally, the mystery is over and I can move on. What that means is now I hope to plan better for next year, however I'm not entirely sure they will keep in first grade...so gotta wait for that.

Anyways, I'm glad the wait is over. Thanks for all of your support. :)

No News Yet

Still waiting to hear about my contract. But randomly one of the homeroom teachers (the one I have been talking to) enlightened me of something good. She said she asked the other homeroom teachers about my staying here, and told me that they are all okay with me staying.
:)

So unless the Principal or some oddball person doesn't want me to be here, then it is a "No." So everything sounds good I guess...just hoping so.

What Happens When Public School isn't the Dream Job

I have been reading the blogger, "What Would Eve Do?" and noticing that she has been having a hard time at her Public School. It reminded me how when I was working at a hagwon (my first job here) I thought that Public Schools were a lot better. I quit that school after 5 months and moved to a Public School. Indeed, many improvements were felt and life was somewhat less stressful. But the fact that I was working in a Korean work environment never transformed.

Today I am addressing the allusion some people might have that Public School jobs are somewhat more magically better than hagwons. However, at PS jobs you definitely get paid on time and have solid vacation.

But the real difference, I feel, is that you are very close to a close-knit part of Korean society. What I mean is that PS's have a lot of bureaucracy within them, and they function in a way that is practically different from how one would imagine a school should be run. More often than not the Principals reign as Kings (sometimes Queens) and the people working below them do everything they can to please. Because of this your experience at a Public School highly depends on the quality and generosity of your Principals.

Take Eve's experience, for example. Her Principal apparently disapproved of her and would spend at length yelling at her in Korean. Now this was not helped by a coteacher who didn't like her as well and so would boast this to make her image look bad. (Same thing happened to me last year.)

Now not everyone's experience at a PS are bad, and for the most part are very good. A school that is good would be one that nurtures the foreign teacher, accepts differences and shows a lot of concern for their well being. Sometimes there are Principals who speak good enough English to have conversations with, and some who care extensively about the English program.

So in the end, I want to say is that no matter what job you take in Korea be sure you know that it's not going to be perfect. It will depend on the people you work with and most importantly your attitude towards strong cultural differences. Unfortunately for Eve she is making her way out of the job and country. But her struggles show us how not all PS jobs are perfect and there are still a lot of obstacles from both the Korean and Native Teacher side that need to be overcome.

Maybe Next Week

Today our school held our usual monthly meeting. On the agenda "contract renewals." When I saw this I got excited and thought something along the lines of, "If you put down 'yes' as your response, then you folks got the job" was going to be announced. Instead, they just announced that people need to make up their minds by Nov. 8th and someone will be coming to you around next week to talk about the contract.

So it wasn't what I wanted to hear, and of course it got me all nervous. After the meeting I approached the homeroom teacher (the one who speaks English well, and throughout the semester helped us) about this. She said I should be okay and that the homeroom teachers got a survey to answer. But then she started to give me input on a few things. For one the Song teacher (the main homeroom teacher) wasn't too pleased with the Drama Festival performances. This was my first news of hearing this since last week so I said, "Really?" And then she went on how it could have been better. I didn't tell her how it was really difficult teaching a group of kids a huge drama production, considering they kept on changing the movements and gestures. Sigh

The other thing she mentioned was that they are really grateful that I have put a lot of work into lesson plans and materials, but that I could be more loving with the students. Now, I'm not a mean teacher in the class but I have strict rules and stand by them. I've given the kids plenty of love, especially in my lesson plans. I do yell a lot and that could go down a little, but the homeroom teachers told us to yell at them.WTF!!

In all of this I am reminded that no where along the road do the homeroom teachers sit me down and we discuss my weakness and strengths. It's been this way at every school I worked at in Korea and I suppose I am use to it. Yet it still baffles me that if you have an employer and you want them to do specific things or change, then you go to that person and address the issues. In the end, there isn't much I can do about what the homeroom teachers think, as I know it is all based upon predispositions.

So now I am at the point of thinking "Plan B", what will I do if I don't get to renew this contract? I didn't send in a request for FBI fingerprints so if I have to find a new job it will have to be a transfer. I really don't want to have to pack up and move again or try to find a suitable job for next year. The whole thought of being rejected by this school really gets me blue. Makes me think maybe I really have failed as a teacher here in Korea.

I was really sick yesterday and feeling somewhat better today. Trying to find some positive light in all of this...trying.

Still Waiting

Turns out they won't talk about contract renewals till "sometime" in November. I am hoping that means next week. I had an interview at this school around the third week of November last year, so I am thinking they get things ready by the beginning of the month.

Anyways, I have a strong feeling they will let me renew but of course am still nervous.

In other news, Tom is doing well and has grown a thick winter coat for the cold days ahead. Of course, I will keep him warm inside my house.

My ex dropped off Tom's carrier basket (he borrowed it a few weeks ago) and it was a little hard to see him again. I still feel confused about what happened to us, but nowadays feel it really was for the best.

Today's weather is rainy this morning, which makes me want to put off getting my groceries till tomorrow. I've got a lot of work I want to get done so I can get ahead. Already we are heading towards the end of this semester and report cards and other paperwork are starting to come in. I can't believe 2011 is already on its decline. I guess it's time to start thinking about 2012 and what is to come.

Drama Festival Wrap Up

It went well and all the kids from every group performed to their best. I didn't hear any homeroom teachers complain about it, which is great. Just one snafu, last week one of my boys got scratched by another without my notice. So mom is upset, which makes the homeroom teacher have to deal with this. That leads to said homeroom teacher coming to me and telling me that I should keep my eyes on everyone all the time. Thanks!

So it is the end of October and I believe I should be hearing about my renewal. With this latest snafu I am hoping my ,"Yes, of course I can" attitude keeps everyone happy. But rumors have it that lots of teachers are planning, for various reasons, to move on from this school. So I think they would like to try and keep as many as they can.  I haven't heard anything yet, as the drama festival is still going on for other grades.

Just hope my nervousness, from that meeting with the homeroom teacher today, isn't a sign of bad news to come. hmm

The Stress Mill

Drama Festival is next week and so the kids have been pushed to practice their script, dances and positions. The pressure seems to steam off from the homeroom teachers throughout the day. I am trying my best to keep a cool head and also just do the job of practicing with the students.

To be honest, I am tired and just want this to be over with. I don't think I was prepared walking into this, due to that it is becoming so rigorous. Maybe I was naive in that department, or all this "life" stuff blinded me.

But really I am keeping my chin up and hoping for the best. I think the kids will perform well, but that mine will look a little different from the rest.

I think next week they will announce if they will give me another contract or not. So I am kind of holding my breath till then. With my release of being in a relationship I feel like anything is possible, which is both good and scary.

The end of October as always is another stressful time here in Korea. But, you know, I am enjoying the Fall colors amongst all this. Are you?

That Time of the Year Again

As a contract teacher there comes a point where you don't know if you will be asked to stay or go for the next year. At my past two public elementary schools I was given the thumbs down on staying at their schools. So this time I really want to be asked to stay.

Their system is a bit different and seems more friendly. Since there are 22 foreign folks working here I guess they need to streamline everything. They sent out a mass-message asking us to respond to a survey by the second-to-last week of this month. I already enthusiastically filled mine out and handed it in. My answer was a definite, "YES." I want to stay at the school and even continue teaching first grade math. 

Looking back things were a bit rough last semester, especially in the beginning. But I have definitely gotten use to this age group and school. There were a few snafus with one of the homeroom teachers, mostly over communication and misunderstandings. Yet this semester has been steaming along quite nicely. 

There is the drama festival we are working on, which has caused a lot of schedule changes. Yet I am trying my best to be a trooper and follow along.

I am really hoping to get good news at the end of this month. Halloween has never really been a happy time for me lately. Let's hope this year will be different!

Fall Semester Comes

As I woke up semi-late this morning (7:45 AM) I knew tomorrow was going to be a work day. Usually I am woken by Tom nudging me or climbing on top of me to get a good petting in before the day starts. On work days I can only give him that good petting for a short little time. But I am not here to complain, just saying my lovely two weeks of vacation are quickly ending.

I feel this vacation was especially good for me because I feel balanced out. The free time allowed me to understand what transpired during the last semester and what I need to focus on for the next. I feel mentally ready to take on the challenges.

Of course, I am feeling nervous about going back to work. This is because I mostly want to find out if they will keep me for another year or not. I'm hoping I will get the casual email that asks if you want to stay or not and that will be that. I heard from a colleague this is what usually happens in November. But then I am wondering if I should start the FBI fingerprinting process just in case things don't turn out how I would expect.

What will be interesting for the start of this coming Fall semester is that the afternoon kids are switching with the morning kids. We have our theories, but we are hoping the afternoon kids (notorious for being rambunctious) will some how be more mellow in the morning. However, I have realized that kids are kids no matter what time of the day. So we will see. The Fall semester also has some twists in it like a Drama festival and no open classes.

With the new semester approaching already I know summer is on it's way out. The air is starting to get cooler (slightly) and I can tell the summer sunshine is changing.

In the end, I am grateful for this vacation and the many more I will have.

Last Few Days of Camp Finally

There are just three more days of camp and thank goodness! Although, tiring and often mind-boggling strange, the camp has been going pretty well. I have learned what the low-levels need and how better to pace myself for them. They take time to process the English and I try to give it to them in a slow yet understandable manner. But mostly they want to learn through games, crafts and activities. I guess that is true for all first-graders.

Camp, as mentioned earlier, wasn't planned very well even though the planning committee did do hard work. I want to step up for winter camp and plan some new stuff for them, but am trying to lay-low so not to seem like a pushy person.

With camp nearing it's end that means next week I will have my time off and go to Jeju. I am excited but also a bit worried, because it will be hot down there and most of the food you can find is seafood. I really hope to get to a supermarket my first day and stock up my pension with things to make for breakfast. Really though, I am trying to tell myself to just go there and relax. Don't worry about whether you get out and see everything or find the most delicious meal on the island. Mostly, I am looking forward to swimming and seeing several sunsets. Really, I don't know if I want to ride around the island everyday to go see something, when I could be at a nearby beach. Plus there are several sights to see in my area of the island.

I know that after vacation the next semester starts and I am already mentally preparing myself. I want to get through it without any hiccups. I know there will be times when I am approached by my Korean homeroom teachers and that I really need to give a nice face to it all. Last week, I approached the person who hired at me at the school (he is also the head-coordinator) about my position. After the kids went home I went up to his classroom. I basically introduced that I don't talk to him much and would like to say "Hi." I got around to asking him how I am doing at the school and got good feedback. He told me he hears that I work hard and that is good. But then he asked me, "How do you feel about the Korean teachers?" I went blank for a little bit and then smiled and said how I enjoy them and like working with them. I also talked about how for next camp I would like to contribute. He was enthusiastic to hear this. I basically just wanted to make sure he knew that I liked the school and my position. I know most of what he hears about me comes from third parties so I wanted to make sure he heard my side. Hopefully, this will help plant a seed for the future when he is considering my renewal.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, especially how I have grown since my first time in Korea. Sometimes I look back on my first summer here and can't believe it all. I certainly felt so scared and alienated at that time. I am glad to be where I am here in Korea and hope to grow more on this peninsula.

Signing in to work by digital fingerprinting. Good or Bad?

The end of the semester is drawing near and like a narrow tunnel many tasks are piling on. There are final tests to be made and scores of report cards to fill out. In the midst of this we were pulled away from our desks to register our fingers.

The school installed a new system of checking in it's employers. Before, we would just sign our names in a little book, and be on our way. We didn't do much to check out, except change our shoes and give a friendly wave goodbye.

Without any notice we were made to register our fingerprints and start using this system. When I was pulled away from my desk to register and was told, "We are registering our fingers." I didn't blink nor think twice about this. As we walked down the stairs and I saw a man standing next to a gadget on the wall that looked like something out of a spy movie, I got excited instead of worried. I watched as my colleagues went first, registering two fingers (of their choice) and seeing the little blue light blink in and out. Finally, it was my turn and I watched as it scanned in my fingers and took a black and white image of this physical identification.

All felt good and I went back to work. A little later, as I went to get my payslip from our Coordinator, I learned that this new signing in-thing isn't favored by everyone. Soon enough I heard chatter about how this is invasive to our rights and concern over whether this would be grounds to fire us at the end of our term.

I understand the concern towards the officials using our time stamping as a way to discuss whether they should renew our contract or not, but what I didn't understand was the displeasure in this being sprung on us the last minute and that there was no information given. I have gotten use to the Korean work environment where if something changes or new comes along you can't expect a month's advance of preparation or notice. Another thing I don't understand is how this could end up being invasive to our rights. They are just using our fingerprints to make us sign in and out. Are they going to be sent to authorities? If so then I understand the need for clarification.

In the end I don't see this as a bad thing, except if they use our time stamps to penalize us at the end of our contract and don't give us notice. But it states in the contract to be on time and not leave early (unless permitted). Also, I feel we can work out a system where if we are dramatically late on occasion it can be documented by the right people, so that at the end of the year can be explained for clarification.

However, I find myself in a small boat of people who are okay with this new system. A large majority of the foreign staff are upset. Yet I understand their point-of-view, and I think they are okay with the concept just want more information before signing up.

Generally, is digital fingerprinting a good way to keep track of your time schedule? Is it especially dangerous for the Korean workplace, where little time differences here and there can be made into big ordeals?

Do you have one of these things in your workplace? And how would you describe it's influence.

Open Class Approaches

On Thursday I have four open classes, which means it is going on all day. The parent's will be within breathing distance from me, all the while observing and evaluating. Or maybe they will just be mesmerized by my kick-ass presentation!

Who knows?

All I know is that last week I stressed out about it and this week I am trying to hold on to some confidence. My plans use some good material and activities, but the bookwork is what I am concerned with.

Really, I just want Thursday to pass so that I can move on with my life and find out if I fit the bill or not.

Open Class Coming and other Work Stuff

As you can see spring has been good to me with fun trips to places here and there. The warm weather has helped calm my mood and ease my mind when it comes to work rambles. The job is puttering on like a well greased machine, with a few hiccups here and there.

But a big bump in the road is coming up, and that would be open class. It's not my first time with this kind of job-related aspect, but I definitely feel like this one will be more serious. For one the people who will be observing me are the parents, and since they pay for their kids education I can only guess their gaze will be mighty. The open class is not till next month, but I am already in the thick of planning it. We are given the liberty to do whatever we want, even can break away from our regularly scheduled plan. However, I am planning on sticking with the schedule but making sure there are interactive activities involved.

From talking with experienced teachers they say that the parent's want to see their kids involved and interacting with you. From what I have planned I know that there will be times with a lot of interaction and others without.  I am mostly worried that I will disappoint the parents in some way or another.

The whole thing got me thinking about the job in general and how I would be evaluated at the end of the year. I started to wonder if these open classes had a high place in my job evaluation. So I went to the head-coordinator and asked him about this. He reassured me that it has a part but that the school usually doesn't get terrible parent reviews. He said our evaluations are based on many levels and not just the open classes.

Overall, I feel very comfortable at this job and confident I am doing things well. Yet there are times I wonder if I am doing something wrong but don't know it. From reflecting on these things I realized that I need to be a team player more (in regards to the Korean homeroom teachers). Often times, at our weekly meetings, I protest certain requests while trying to prove points on how somethings are just impossible for us (the foreign teachers) to accomplish with EFL students. But I think I need to just bite my tongue and accept their requests as much as I wince inside.

Anyways, I know that in the end it could all just come down to whether they liked the color of my shoes or not, and so I should just put forth my best effort and see what happens.

All right, that leads me to my question of whether you have any open class tip? For one, this will be my first time that my classroom will be crammed with parents watching me, and I am trying to adjust my mind around this.

New E2 Visa Health Check and Done on a Saturday

It turns out that because the new E2 health checks require the testing for marijuana usage that certain hospitals can't do the check anymore. This was the case for me as a local hospital in my area declined several teachers from my school.

As you know I opted to get the test done on a Saturday and that left me with the big hospitals in Seoul. All in can say is that, yes you can get it done on a Saturday and I recommend you going to the International Health Clinic at Yonsei Severance Hospital near Sinchon and Ehwha.

Preparations:

• Bring your passport.
• Bring two photo id pics (just in case...I didn't hand them in)
• Don't eat for the blood test. (On the phone they said I didn't have to, but I just didn't eat anyways.) (There is a great food court on the same floor as the International Clinic, that has a Kraze burger of all things....so you can grab some grub afterwards)
• If you are a woman don't show up if you are on your period, as it can alter the results of the pee test. 
• Expect to pay 140,000 Won, which is not cheap!
• Show up at 9:30am to be the first in line. Otherwise you will have to sit around and wait your turn. I believe the office will run till 12pm on Saturdays. 
• Obviously come in a healthy state. 
• Another point is to just not tell them you have a certain medical condition or that you are on certain medicine. You want to pass the test and not complicate things. I actually goofed up on this since Yonsei is the hospital I visit for my GI disease, but they said it was okay.

Test Procedure:

• I think a lot of people are kind of worried about how they will do the Cannabis test. Apparently it was just as simple as peeing. But you have to divide your pee in to two containers. 
• First they check your vitals, weight and eyesight. Then you sit in with a doctor and she asks about your medical condition.
• Then the doc has you change into a hospital gown, where you then get a chest examination along with testing your bowels area.
• Afterwards, you go do your blood test, peeing and chest xray. 
• Tada ... all done. They didn't check my teeth this time...thank God!
• The results should be finished in about 4 - 5 days and they will give you a slip of paper for when you should return to pick it up. (Which you can do on a Saturday as well.)

Keep in mind schools tend to take their teachers to some hospital for their health check, but mine makes us go by our selves. In this case, you likely have to miss work to get to a local hospital in time. I didn't want to miss work and so that is why I did it on a Saturday.  Also know that if you live near a major hospital they will likely perform a health check during weekdays, and you can get it done faster if you made an appointment.

What a day!