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Almost there
Posted by DomHyo
on
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Almost there.
That's how I feel right now. I had my interview with a school over there (CDL or known as CDI by most in the past), and I'm waiting to hear if I'll be offered a contract so I can start the visa process. From the way the interview went, it looks like I will be offered a contract, but they just have to get all the details situated. So we'll see what happens. The good thing is, there are a lot of good schools so I'm not worried if I don't get accepted.
Anyways, some details of CDL...I had to write a brief essay on one of five topics they gave me. I decided to go with the nature nurture debate. Also the usual CDL contract has you work on Saturday with about 7 days of vacation. You can also chose between being paid hourly or with the monthly package. With the monthly package, your housing is chosen and already paid for. The pay is also around 2.2 million won (between 1800 and 2200 dollars a month if I'm not mistaken...according to the exchange rate of course). The hourly rate is about 30-40,000 won with you paying for your own housing from that. Usually people pick the hourly because you get paid more, and you get to go chose your own housing (they help you with this)
I chose to go with their new "April English" program, which I get weekends off, housing paid for, and 15 paid vacation days. I'll also be teaching the younger kids with more of a set curriculum. My schedule would also be 2:30 pm - 8:30 pm on MWF and until 9:30 p.m. on T and TH. I like this one because, I don't mind working with the younger kiddies, I would like to have my weekends to explore, and with me starting at 2:30 in the afternoon, I can sleep in late if need be and watch Pistons games on the internet (rofl...they would be starting usually around 10 or 11 am over there)
I'm not gonna lie, but I am concerned about the housing. I'm not a hard one to please. I lived in a dorm room for five years with a broken window, messed up heat and air, etc.... So I am all I am praying for is a clean animal free apartment lol. I knew most were going to be small when I signed up so it's no big deal for me, but the lil roaches and other foolishness is what I could not stand in college. In fact, it is common knowledge to ask to see pictures of your apartment before signing your contract so if you ever think about doing this, remember that.
So bam, that's where I'm at right now. Now that it's getting closer, excitement and nervousness are coming at the same time...kinda weird actually. I've heard horror stories of people who hated it, and great stories of people who liked it. Basically I've decided that there are two types of people.
- The one who goes over there with an open mind and understands there are going to be some bad days as well as good days, but overall ultimately enjoy the experience and meeting new people.
- The one who is spoiled who does not have an open mind and will be prone to complain about any and everything.
I've been on Dave's ESL Cafe Forum quite a bit, and you will find a lot of number twos over there. In fact, like another blogger that I read said, a lot of them are whites who are in the minority for the first time, and really make things bigger than they are.
But yeah, I've been thinking about my plan for life (even though God will probably derail that plan...actually i can guarantee He will), but that another entry. I'll be adding some more bloggers who are in Korea over to the left soon so look for those. Holla.
That's how I feel right now. I had my interview with a school over there (CDL or known as CDI by most in the past), and I'm waiting to hear if I'll be offered a contract so I can start the visa process. From the way the interview went, it looks like I will be offered a contract, but they just have to get all the details situated. So we'll see what happens. The good thing is, there are a lot of good schools so I'm not worried if I don't get accepted.
Anyways, some details of CDL...I had to write a brief essay on one of five topics they gave me. I decided to go with the nature nurture debate. Also the usual CDL contract has you work on Saturday with about 7 days of vacation. You can also chose between being paid hourly or with the monthly package. With the monthly package, your housing is chosen and already paid for. The pay is also around 2.2 million won (between 1800 and 2200 dollars a month if I'm not mistaken...according to the exchange rate of course). The hourly rate is about 30-40,000 won with you paying for your own housing from that. Usually people pick the hourly because you get paid more, and you get to go chose your own housing (they help you with this)
I chose to go with their new "April English" program, which I get weekends off, housing paid for, and 15 paid vacation days. I'll also be teaching the younger kids with more of a set curriculum. My schedule would also be 2:30 pm - 8:30 pm on MWF and until 9:30 p.m. on T and TH. I like this one because, I don't mind working with the younger kiddies, I would like to have my weekends to explore, and with me starting at 2:30 in the afternoon, I can sleep in late if need be and watch Pistons games on the internet (rofl...they would be starting usually around 10 or 11 am over there)
I'm not gonna lie, but I am concerned about the housing. I'm not a hard one to please. I lived in a dorm room for five years with a broken window, messed up heat and air, etc.... So I am all I am praying for is a clean animal free apartment lol. I knew most were going to be small when I signed up so it's no big deal for me, but the lil roaches and other foolishness is what I could not stand in college. In fact, it is common knowledge to ask to see pictures of your apartment before signing your contract so if you ever think about doing this, remember that.
So bam, that's where I'm at right now. Now that it's getting closer, excitement and nervousness are coming at the same time...kinda weird actually. I've heard horror stories of people who hated it, and great stories of people who liked it. Basically I've decided that there are two types of people.
- The one who goes over there with an open mind and understands there are going to be some bad days as well as good days, but overall ultimately enjoy the experience and meeting new people.
- The one who is spoiled who does not have an open mind and will be prone to complain about any and everything.
I've been on Dave's ESL Cafe Forum quite a bit, and you will find a lot of number twos over there. In fact, like another blogger that I read said, a lot of them are whites who are in the minority for the first time, and really make things bigger than they are.
But yeah, I've been thinking about my plan for life (even though God will probably derail that plan...actually i can guarantee He will), but that another entry. I'll be adding some more bloggers who are in Korea over to the left soon so look for those. Holla.
