To begin, you definitely have to decide what country you want to move to, then how you are going to get there. In my case, and what this entire post is based on, I'm moving to Daegu, South Korea with the EPIK program. I preface my post with this because a lot of the paperwork that I will mention may be unique to EPIK (or not, but this is all I know)..... So here is my list, with some explanations....
- Get fingerprints for background check
- Request 2 letters of recommendation
- Send in application to EPIK
- Send background check request- do this the second you decide to move abroad. I waited until I had an interview with EPIK, and that put me way behind. It took forever, I ended up paying a lot of money for over-night services and expediting services. If you are adamant about moving abroad, you will need this. No matter what. Don't put it off.
- Once you have your background check, send it off to get apostilled
- Notarize or apostille copy of diploma
- Complete TESOL/TEFL certification (I used ITTT, I highly recommend their Online 120 hour with tutor support class, though some cities may require a certain amount of time in class)
- Request sealed transcripts
- Get passport photos
Once you have all of these things completed, have had your interview with EPIK and have successfully passed and been accepted, you have to gather everything and send it to EPIK.
Once all of the EPIK paperwork is finished, or in the works, you can begin on the less-pressing but still important items (in no particular order):
- Get bank account information (for transfers)
- Get safe deposit box
- Put parents on bank account as co-signers- leave check book with them for emergencies
- Plan any lunches, dinners, nights out or parties with family and friends
- Doctor appointment- prescription information and quick check up
- Fill any prescriptions (for as many months as you can- if you have an insurance where you must meet a deductible before you get 100% coverage, plan ahead. If leaving in February, get your prescriptions in December!)
- Dentist appointment- fit in that last cleaning
- Eye appointment- checkup and prescription
- Email/write everyone letting them know about your upcoming adventure- who would want to find out their friend is moving out of the country via Facebook or the grapevine
- Begin blog- email everyone asking if they would like to be included in the mailing list
- Order Korean Won (KRW) from bank/mall (I'm taking about $500 in KRW and $500 in USD to exchange later)
- Put travel advisory on all credit/debit cards
- Teach family and friends how to use SKYPE and Whatsapp/KakoTalk
- International Driver's License
- Tax exempt forms (for US, you have to fill out the 8802 to get yet another form- I'm still working on this)
- Unlock phone (I called Verizon and had them do it for me, for free, legally, however I may not be able to use it)
- Begin learning the Korean alphabet/Korean language
- Purchase gifts for Principal, Vice Principal and co-teachers (there is some debate here on whether or not this is necessary or advised. Some people may get people that don't drink, or more than one co-teacher or principal. This is something you have to decide on your own.)
- File taxes (for me, I'll file for 2012)
- Leave contact information with family (for EPIK coordinator or a friend that already has a cell phone set up)
- Get new dress pants hemmed
- Take inventory of electronics that will need adapters and converters
- Create packing list, being going through belongings and start a packing assembly line
- Do a little reasearch and decide on things that you need to bring in bulk (deodorant, tampons, spices, etc)
- Download iSpeak Korean mp3s to iPod
- Buy plane ticket (I did this after I had my contract in my hand, but before I had my visa back- you never know what can go wrong)
- Pre-orientation courses from EPIK
- Cancel all subscriptions (insurances, cell phone, etc)
- Sign up with State Department (I used the EPIK office's address to begin with (then was promptly told I wasn't supposed to do this by the EPIK coordinator- they suggest you wait until you get to Korea and have your personal address), and will change it once I know I address in Daegu)
- Fit in your favorite foods, drinks, places to go, etc- if you are like me, you will need to schedule these things, otherwise they will be lost in the shuffle
No comments:
Post a Comment