It doesn’t get any more official than this! Well, aside from me actually sitting on the plane, but you know what I mean! I have received my DHL tracking number for my contract and NoA and should have that in my hands within the next week. Once I get that then it’s off to the Korean consulate to get my visa put in my passport! My very first visa and I could not be happier!

This has for sure been a long road, and I’m so glad that I’m finally taking it.  After years of wanting to live abroad I’ve finally grown the balls to just go. Never thought it would be to Asia, but the unlikeliness is probably what makes it so much better.  I’m going to give a little breakdown below of time and money that has gone into this whole sitch, because it’s been a long time in the making….

• November/December, 2010 – Miserable at new shitty job and begin concocting my escape route.  At this point I only wanted to go to Italy or Spain, but was set on the English teacher route.  Spoke to a couple TEFL providers, asked questions, got answers….
• February, 2011 – Got myself “let go” from shitty job and begin collecting unemployment and focusing on figuring my new life plan abroad out.
• March, 2011 – Went on road trip to New Orleans, met boy, decided we’d go move abroad together to teach English. Went to Police station to get fingerprinted for my Criminal Background Check. Total: $8.00 for fingerprints, $54.00 for 3 CBCs.
• April, 2011 – Boy comes to visit and we applied to KorVia Consulting (recruiting agency). Had a wonderful interview with my recruiter, Dia Kim, on April 17th. I later ditch stupid boy because he is lying scumbag and I’m better off on my own. Purchased and began TEFL certification course. Total: $190.00 for TEFL course.
• May 2011 – Collected 2 letters of rec and completed lengthy EPIK application plus Seoul lesson plan, and submitted to KorVia on May 6th.  Have EPIK interview with cute little Korea man on May 23rd and found out I passed a few days later.  Received CBC back from FBI (finally), sent to Department of State for Apostille, and sent BA Degree to CA Secretary of State for Apostille. Degree took 5 days, CBC took about 6 weeks. Oh, and I forgot to include a check to the SoS, but they still processed anyways 🙂 Total: $24.00 for CBC, $40.00 for Degree (including notarization).
• June, 2011 – Finished TEFL course, took test from hell and PASSED! Received my certificate a couple weeks later.  FedEx’d all EPIK docs to KorVia on June 13th, and in EPIK’s hands June 16th. Total: $54.00 for FedEx 3 day!
• July, 2011 – On July 15th Dia told me my documents passed final review stage and I had been placed!! On July 18th I found out I was placed in Seoul and that my NoA (notice of appointment for consulate/visa) is in the mail!!!  I should receive that along with my contract within the next week after which I will go to the Korean consulate for my E-2 visa (English teacher visa). I will then book my flight!!! Total: $45.00 for visa, ~$800.00 for flight (I get reimbursed).
• August, 2011 – I will most likely be departing on August 15th, yikes!!!

GRAND TOTAL: $415.00 + $800.00 ~ $1,215.00

(This total does not include shipping costs to/from FBI, State Department and Secretary of State)

I also still need to complete my Tax Exemption form with the IRS which is another $35.00.

IT’S HAPPENING!!!