Gym in South Korea

The gyms in South Korea is rather decent. The Hyundai Fitness is a really big facility. The gym is super-sized, the bigger, the better? I think it depends on preference. As for the rest of the gym - the equipments are very modern.  I love how you can watch tv on some cardio machines! 

South Korea gyms, you will know the difference... Like most gyms in Korea, workout clothing is supplied with your membership! I don't know if this is a good thing or bad thing because I have issues with working out in someone's junk, even though it is washed. But still!

The pros of this... it's an awesome service because it saves you from doing laundry at home. You just show up, trade your membership card for a locker key at the front desk, pick up a pair of shorts. They have blue shirts for the guys and red shirts for the women. It's kind of strange because you're in grade school all over again or at a military camp.

The personal trainers aren't that big and there are some that speak English.

Getting an Apostille Seal for South Korea

My experiences with getting an apostille seal for South Korea was a nightmare. First I don't even know what an apostille is nor do I know how to pronounce it. Well after several attempts of getting it notarized and sending to the state office and speaking with people it's pronounced A-pos-steel not apostile or apostille, like steel, like Superman.

Anyway this is what I needed for a visa to teach in South Korea. Since the rules changed, they no longer accepted the real degree or diploma. Sounds fair enough! I wouldn't really want to give it to the South Korean authorities because if I change jobs I would need it back. So what you have to do is get your degree or diploma notarized. How to do it? You have to go to a notary and they will make a copy of it and stamp it. Please pick a wise notary because when I went to the bank, the notary just made a copy of it and stamped it. When I had sent it in, it got rejected. Getting an apostille and meeting deadlines was very frustration. Just to get an apostille for South Korea I probably got a few grey hairs.

Getting an Apostille for South Korea
1. I called my recruiter and asked them how do you do the apostille process for E2. They didn't really know how. I called the apostille office to see if I'm suppose to send my degree there. They said to have it notarized before sending. I went to the bank to have it done. Sent it in and it got rejected. They sent me back my copy of my degree and stating the notary had not done the notary correctly. I was so pissed because I sent it by FedEx and a return shipping by FedEx because I needed the documents in a rush. It was rather costly. At this point in time, I just didn't have anymore time to mess up.

2. At the time, I just had gotten back my FBI check. That thing took 6 weeks to get. The entire apostille deal was rather frustrating. Anyway, I had my rejected notarized degree and FBI check in hand. I was looking online and found a site, http://www.apostillepros.com/
Basically, all I had to do was to send in my FBI check and original degree and they will have the FBI check apostille and do the proper notarization of the degree to get apostille. Fab! I couldn't risk it get rejected anymore. So I sent it to them. They processed it and got them back to me ASAP! Fabu--lous :)! I submitted everything and everything  was accepted! The hard part is over. I was so happy.

Anyway, my suggestion with the entire apostille thing is send it to an agency like Apostille Pros, they will get every done correctly. Also start on your FBI application fast! That's the longest process, to get the FBI check.

E2 Visa for South Korea

In order to teach in South Korea, all applicants must get their documents together.

1. Diploma or Degree apostille
2. FBI background check apostille
3. Signed contract
4. Medical check form
5. 4 passport photos


Diploma or Degree
I just recently graduated so I have my degree in tact.

FBI background check
I went to the police station to get my fingerprints done on a FD-258 fingerprint card. You have to pay $10 to the fingerprint roller and $18 to the FBI for crc processing.

Signed Contract
I looked over the contract and signed it.

Medical Check form
Look easy enough. I went to get my tb shot and just got a few tests just in case. Also, you have to get drug test as well. I don't think they want druggies to enter their country.

4 Passport Photos
At first I was planning to go to FedEx Kinkos, but I needed to get something from Costco, so I just decided to get the passport there. It's only $5, woot-woot! With gas prices almost close to $5, that's a bargain.

Once I got back my FBI check, every is pretty much done; however, I read about something online and there are some changes. The original diplomas or degrees are not to be accepted and you have to get the degree or diploma copy notarized and then apostille. Okay, I'll just go to my local bank notary. I went to the local bank notary and basically he just made a copy of it and stamped it. I sent it to the state office to have it apostille and after two weeks it was rejected. I was so pissed! The notary had not done it right! I could risk it being rejected as time was running out. I found a place http://www.apostillepros.com/

They are excellent. They got my degree and FBI check apostille. Basically, all I had to do was send my original degree and FBI check to them and they did the rest! SO EASY! I got my FedEx package in the mail with the apostilles. They're so quick and fast. Everything they had done was accepted by K-Immi.

I Decided to Go Teach in South Korea

The U.S. teaching economy basically suck. I tried and tried looking for a job, but there aren't any available. They're saying it's saved for teachers with experience and out of work. So where am I suppose to go. This royally sucks!

Most of my friends are going to Spain or South Korea to teach. At first, I was very afraid simply because I don't want to leave my friends and family here in the United States. Also, I heard there are conflicts between the South and North Koreans.

South Korea ESL

South Korea ESL: Welcome to my Blog!