Heather's Harmony

A Realization that Changed my Entire Perspective

Selling my condo isn’t just a personal loss, it’s a community gain. The traveling community.

I needed to let go of my condo and a rooted life only to turn around and embrace the vast amount of relationships, opportunities and experiences that come with the traveling life & the community I will be gaining.

It’s a leap of faith that they will embrace me in return. I hope they like me, similar to being the new kid in school, I hope there is a place for me.

How quickly life can change.

I decided to stay in Utah until July so I could go on our family vacation to Breckinridge, Colorado and days after it was cancelled I received The Art of Travel Blogging newsletter and learned about the Travel Blogger Exchange, TBEX 12 in June taking place in Keystone, Colorado.

The doubts return. Should I go? Is there a place for me? Can I call myself a travel blogger yet?

I want to see where this blog can take me.

I want to meet people who are dedicated and passionate about the same things I am.

I want to be a travel blogger.

So, I am going.

My condo was a large source of my identity and now being a travel blogger will evolve my sense of identity. And that my friends, is exactly as it should be!

If you haven't yet checked out my blog posts on the Art of Travel Blog you can read them here. 5 Lessons from my first 6 months of Travel Blogging and 5 Tips from my first 6 months of Travel Blogging.

What was it like for you to close one chapter and start anew? How did you overcome your doubts?

A Realization that Changed my Entire Perspective

Selling my condo isn’t just a personal loss, it’s a community gain. The traveling community.

I needed to let go of my condo and a rooted life only to turn around and embrace the vast amount of relationships, opportunities and experiences that come with the traveling life & the community I will be gaining.

It’s a leap of faith that they will embrace me in return. I hope they like me, similar to being the new kid in school, I hope there is a place for me.

How quickly life can change.

I decided to stay in Utah until July so I could go on our family vacation to Breckinridge, Colorado and days after it was cancelled I received The Art of Travel Blogging newsletter and learned about the Travel Blogger Exchange, TBEX 12 in June taking place in Keystone, Colorado.

The doubts return. Should I go? Is there a place for me? Can I call myself a travel blogger yet?

I want to see where this blog can take me.

I want to meet people who are dedicated and passionate about the same things I am.

I want to be a travel blogger.

So, I am going.

My condo was a large source of my identity and now being a travel blogger will evolve my sense of identity. And that my friends, is exactly as it should be!

If you haven't yet checked out my blog posts on the Art of Travel Blog you can read them here. 5 Lessons from my first 6 months of Travel Blogging and 5 Tips from my first 6 months of Travel Blogging.

What was it like for you to close one chapter and start anew? How did you overcome your doubts?

My doubts of Becoming an a Permanent Traveler

In 2008 I knew that I loved to travel and knew it was a hobby I wanted to pursue. It was then that the seed of my dream to be a dedicated traveler was planted, I knew so little of the lessons life would teach me during my preparations.

For as long as I can remember there have been three major steps/signs of my expat life:

1)      Graduating from college- I returned to school full time, while working full time and now all I have left is completing my thesis which is nearly halfway done and I’m really hoping to have it done by the end of March.

2)      Selling my Condo- In the beginning, my dream was to sell my condo for a profit and use the money to travel and/or pay my school loans with. I’ve lived there for 6 years and during that time the market crashed and at this point I’m just grateful to being selling it at all. After being on the market for a year, I JUST signed the papers and should officially be a non-homeowner tomorrow.

3)      Be unemployed- I’ve been expecting to be laid off for a long time now (long story, but it’s a good thing) If I stay until they lay me off I will get great benefits that could benefit my travel plans although at this point we still have no idea when that could happen. So it may be the case that I stay and save money or end up quitting, although if there is anything I am expecting its that what is meant to happen will happen and life has a way of working itself out.

As I mentioned, one of these three has officially happened. I’ve sold my condo and it should all be official tomorrow. Thrilling, right?

Of course it’s a good thing, however in this post I am going to focus more on the reflection this event has created in my life and a realization I hadn’t yet come across.

Reflections on a personal level

My condo has been my greatest source of security and “home” for the past 6 years. It’s bittersweet to be ending such a happy and influential chapter of my life. I think of who I was when I bought this condo in 2006 and quite honestly I don’t recognize her.

I had NO IDEA that life had some serious lessons in store for me which would eventually lead me to rediscover and reinvent myself.

I couldn’t be happier with who I am today, in my most desperate of moments I wish I could have whispered in my ear and tell myself how much goodness can come from the most negative of situations. But alas, that lesson has been learned and I embrace turmoil and uncertainty with open arms and know there is something better waiting at the other end of the experience.

Just as I do now, letting go of one part of my life only to embrace another.

How quickly life can change

I’ve been preparing to move out of my condo for a year now, slowly getting rid of possessions, personas and an old lifestyle.

The process has been very slow which in several ways has been beneficial to my letting go and also to prepare for a new lifestyle.

However, in a matter of 5 days I went from waiting for an answer, getting final approval, moving out, signing papers and tonight will be my first time sleeping in my new home. Which is a large room in a very dear friend’s house until I’m ready to make the jump to being a permanent traveler. I cannot imagine a better place for me to transition from one life to another and I will be forever grateful to Traci for opening her home to me.

A sense of loss?

I’ve gotten a lot of congratulations and good cheer responses to the news but there is a part of me that wanted to be sad, in a way, there is a part of me that dies with the selling of my condo and it wanted sympathy and condolences.

I hadn’t expected to feel that way and was surprised at the feelings of loss when I got the final approval. I decided to spend a night at my condo being sad and letting the grief soak through my soul. Then I went into production mode, planning, packing and preparing to move, I thought the sadness had passed, until it hit me like a train.

My family & I had just carried my belongings outside and as I headed back inside to grab more, I walked up to my front door and saw my apartment empty for the first time since I’d moved in. Before I knew it my breath caught in my chest and there were tears streaming down my cheeks. This was it. The point of no return. I quickly let out as many tears as I could before my family walked in on my break down, grabbed the last of my things and headed out the door to unload them into my new home.

A sense of support & security

I have an amazing support system here, my family & friends are so generous and thoughtful. With such little notice to move out they were quick to come to my aid, my parents drove 5 hours in one day just to help me move and I couldn’t (literally) have done it without them, my step brother let me use his trailer and was kind enough to let us use his muscles for heavy lifting. I also want to thank my brother Robby & friend Dani for helping me take a few trips prior to the big move, it made the process must faster!

As I was driving the possessions that made the transition from one chapter of my life to another.

I was shocked at the doubt that flooded my mind. What if I can’t pull this off? What if I’m doing all this for nothing? What if I fail? What if I’m not good at travel writing and blogging? What if the traveling community doesn’t like me?

Where was all this sadness & doubt coming from? It was coming from a sense of loss, but how was I losing anything when I am gaining momentum in pursuing my greatest dream to date?

And then it hit me.

My doubts of Becoming an a Permanent Traveler

In 2008 I knew that I loved to travel and knew it was a hobby I wanted to pursue. It was then that the seed of my dream to be a dedicated traveler was planted, I knew so little of the lessons life would teach me during my preparations.

For as long as I can remember there have been three major steps/signs of my expat life:

1)      Graduating from college- I returned to school full time, while working full time and now all I have left is completing my thesis which is nearly halfway done and I’m really hoping to have it done by the end of March.

2)      Selling my Condo- In the beginning, my dream was to sell my condo for a profit and use the money to travel and/or pay my school loans with. I’ve lived there for 6 years and during that time the market crashed and at this point I’m just grateful to being selling it at all. After being on the market for a year, I JUST signed the papers and should officially be a non-homeowner tomorrow.

3)      Be unemployed- I’ve been expecting to be laid off for a long time now (long story, but it’s a good thing) If I stay until they lay me off I will get great benefits that could benefit my travel plans although at this point we still have no idea when that could happen. So it may be the case that I stay and save money or end up quitting, although if there is anything I am expecting its that what is meant to happen will happen and life has a way of working itself out.

As I mentioned, one of these three has officially happened. I’ve sold my condo and it should all be official tomorrow. Thrilling, right?

Of course it’s a good thing, however in this post I am going to focus more on the reflection this event has created in my life and a realization I hadn’t yet come across.

Reflections on a personal level

My condo has been my greatest source of security and “home” for the past 6 years. It’s bittersweet to be ending such a happy and influential chapter of my life. I think of who I was when I bought this condo in 2006 and quite honestly I don’t recognize her.

I had NO IDEA that life had some serious lessons in store for me which would eventually lead me to rediscover and reinvent myself.

I couldn’t be happier with who I am today, in my most desperate of moments I wish I could have whispered in my ear and tell myself how much goodness can come from the most negative of situations. But alas, that lesson has been learned and I embrace turmoil and uncertainty with open arms and know there is something better waiting at the other end of the experience.

Just as I do now, letting go of one part of my life only to embrace another.

How quickly life can change

I’ve been preparing to move out of my condo for a year now, slowly getting rid of possessions, personas and an old lifestyle.

The process has been very slow which in several ways has been beneficial to my letting go and also to prepare for a new lifestyle.

However, in a matter of 5 days I went from waiting for an answer, getting final approval, moving out, signing papers and tonight will be my first time sleeping in my new home. Which is a large room in a very dear friend’s house until I’m ready to make the jump to being a permanent traveler. I cannot imagine a better place for me to transition from one life to another and I will be forever grateful to Traci for opening her home to me.

A sense of loss?

I’ve gotten a lot of congratulations and good cheer responses to the news but there is a part of me that wanted to be sad, in a way, there is a part of me that dies with the selling of my condo and it wanted sympathy and condolences.

I hadn’t expected to feel that way and was surprised at the feelings of loss when I got the final approval. I decided to spend a night at my condo being sad and letting the grief soak through my soul. Then I went into production mode, planning, packing and preparing to move, I thought the sadness had passed, until it hit me like a train.

My family & I had just carried my belongings outside and as I headed back inside to grab more, I walked up to my front door and saw my apartment empty for the first time since I’d moved in. Before I knew it my breath caught in my chest and there were tears streaming down my cheeks. This was it. The point of no return. I quickly let out as many tears as I could before my family walked in on my break down, grabbed the last of my things and headed out the door to unload them into my new home.

A sense of support & security

I have an amazing support system here, my family & friends are so generous and thoughtful. With such little notice to move out they were quick to come to my aid, my parents drove 5 hours in one day just to help me move and I couldn’t (literally) have done it without them, my step brother let me use his trailer and was kind enough to let us use his muscles for heavy lifting. I also want to thank my brother Robby & friend Dani for helping me take a few trips prior to the big move, it made the process must faster!

As I was driving the possessions that made the transition from one chapter of my life to another.

I was shocked at the doubt that flooded my mind. What if I can’t pull this off? What if I’m doing all this for nothing? What if I fail? What if I’m not good at travel writing and blogging? What if the traveling community doesn’t like me?

Where was all this sadness & doubt coming from? It was coming from a sense of loss, but how was I losing anything when I am gaining momentum in pursuing my greatest dream to date?

And then it hit me.

Four Corners Monument

We left Friday after work, spent the night at my parents house, shopped for rocks in Moab, enjoyed the scenic desert drive we finally arrived at Four Corners Monument, open until 5PM and costs $3 per person to enter.

It is the only place of its kind in the entire United States where four states Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona touch. (yes, the monument is NOT exactly where the four states intersect, as most people are quick to point out. Sure its a little disappointing, but hey, who are we to say that isn't good enough?) Going to 4C's has been on my bucket list for a number of years and when I made my birthday list of things to accomplish before my next birthday this had to be on the list!

Brittany, you wouldn't know it but she was very sick during the whole trip but she wasn't about to let that stop her from performing the very talented act of being in four places at one time.

Nathan first decided he wanted to take a nap in four places, and then decided to be in four places at one time hands first and feet last!

Emily couldn’t help but lay down and laugh at the whole adventure.

I had been thinking of what I wanted to do while being in four places at one time and thought what better way than a backflip with each limb in a different state.

What would I do without the timer on my camera? So. Much. Fun.

As opposed to containing our hilariousness in my car, at the monument we had an audience. I think everyone there was laughing at us and if we’d put out a container of some sort we might have had enough money to buy ourselves something pretty. We had been in the car for so long it was nice to goof off and stretch a bit!

Four Corners Monument

We left Friday after work, spent the night at my parents house, shopped for rocks in Moab, enjoyed the scenic desert drive we finally arrived at Four Corners Monument, open until 5PM and costs $3 per person to enter.

It is the only place of its kind in the entire United States where four states Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona touch. (yes, the monument is NOT exactly where the four states intersect, as most people are quick to point out. Sure its a little disappointing, but hey, who are we to say that isn't good enough?) Going to 4C's has been on my bucket list for a number of years and when I made my birthday list of things to accomplish before my next birthday this had to be on the list!

Brittany, you wouldn't know it but she was very sick during the whole trip but she wasn't about to let that stop her from performing the very talented act of being in four places at one time.

Nathan first decided he wanted to take a nap in four places, and then decided to be in four places at one time hands first and feet last!

Emily couldn’t help but lay down and laugh at the whole adventure.

I had been thinking of what I wanted to do while being in four places at one time and thought what better way than a backflip with each limb in a different state.

What would I do without the timer on my camera? So. Much. Fun.

As opposed to containing our hilariousness in my car, at the monument we had an audience. I think everyone there was laughing at us and if we’d put out a container of some sort we might have had enough money to buy ourselves something pretty. We had been in the car for so long it was nice to goof off and stretch a bit!

Is moving to South Korea to teach english right for me?

(click on ITC logo for more information on the 2012 Challenge)

The closest I've been to Asia is Israel and Russia and since I think it would be rare for me to want to settle in an Asian country for an extended amount of time, Asia took #1 spot on places I would like to teach english & travel to first.

When I started playing with the idea of moving out of the U.S. there were a lot of factors effecting where I would go, why and for how long. As certain aspects have resolved themselves its likely that I will be leaving with little money for traveling saved up, however I am thrilled to say that I have my savings account for bills & student loans while I am away in great shape! As my last few months pass I am aggressively paying hospital bills and dental bills, which will be paid off before I leave which leaves little money left to save for traveling.

So I need to plan a way to make & save money to travel. In 2005 I volunteered to teach English in Russia and found it extremely challenging and even more rewarding and would love to take another opportunity to teach, and this time I’ll be making money too!

Through a bit of research and talking to friends who have taught outside of the US recently it turns out that Asia is one of the best places to teach right now with building economies and the desire for a good hold on the English language, the real question is which country to teach in.

In September 2011 I posted about where I would like to travel next saying that South Korea was at the top of my list and the best fit for me to teach & save money. I've heard mixed reviews about using a recruiting company and have decided I would like to use one and so far have decided to go with http://morganrecruiters.com/ although that could change if I find someone who can convince me otherwise. (I’d love any insight you can provide!)

 

I don't want to live in a huge city like Seoul, I'd like a more rural experience. I've got my eye on a more southwest location, better climate there too!

 

So why is South Korea appealing to me?

1) It's a gorgeous country and has a coastline, I get butterflies just thinking of being able to visit the beach without having to travel over 700+ miles!

2) There is a large buddhist influence there and I'd love the opportunity to learn more about it while I am there and to visit several Buddhist temples.

3) It is a quick boat trip or flight to China and Japan and only a little further to several other Asian countries. How great it will be to take my vacations to other Asian countries!

4) North Korea and the de-militarized zone (DMZ). To most this would be a very negative aspect of moving to South Korea but I am seriously excited to research it more while I am there. It will make a great research topic for me.

5) Money. This is a large factor that originally drew me to South Korea with great salaries, low cost of living, incentives, bonuses, insurance and flight reimbursement just to name a few examples.                                                       

What do you think? Have you ever taught English in another country? Any tips or advice?

Here is some basic information from Morgan Recruiters website about teaching in South Korea:

Working Conditions

All standard contracts in Korea will contain provisions for the conditions detailed below. If you have any questions regarding any of these conditions, please ask one of our recruiters or the director of your school.

1. Contract length: One year (12 months). Contracts are renewable if agreed upon by both the teacher and the school.
2. Working hours: Standard contracts call for 25-30 hours per week, averaging 100-120 hours per month from Monday to Friday. A few schools have Saturday classes and some schools, particularly those with adult classes, have split shifts. In your online application you should specify if you are willing to take Saturday classes.
3. Salary: Salaries normally fall between 2 million and 2.5 million won/month depending on experience and qualifications.
4. Class size: Most class sizes are quite small, usually between 7-12 students.
5. Student ages: Most schools have a variety of ages. Most have some kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school classes.
6. Housing: Housing is provided free of charge either in a single studio apartment or in shared housing with other teachers. You should specify on your application which type of housing you desire. Shared housing is more common in the big cities (Seoul, Busan) where housing prices are higher. In the case of shared housing, each teacher will have their own bedroom and the living room/kitchen area will be shared. The apartment will be fully furnished for the teacher and furnishings provided include bed, TV, microwave, wardrobe, table and chairs, kitchenware, gas range and washing machine. While the apartment is provided free of charge, the teacher is responsible for utilities (gas, cable) and phone charges.
7. Cost of living: In general about 500,000-700,000 won/month will cover a teacher’s entire living expenses for one month including utilities.
8. Airfare: The school agrees to purchase a one-way ticket for teachers from the closest international airport in their home country to their location in Korea. After completing the one-year contract, the teacher will be provided a return ticket back to their point of origin or a ticket of similar value so that they can travel elsewhere. In the event that the teacher quits before completing their contract, the teacher agrees to reimburse the employer the cost of the paid airfare. Your airline ticket will be reserved by Morgan Recruiting once you submit your paperwork for your teaching visa to the Korean consulate in your home country. The airline ticket will be sent to you either as an electronic ticket to your email or as a paper ticket to your home address.
   Note: Many schools prepay the teacher’s airfare to Korea in advance but some schools will request that the teacher purchase their own airline ticket and then be reimbursed for the airfare upon arrival to Korea. In the event that schools ask teachers to purchase the ticket themselves and be reimbursed upon arrival, Morgan Recruiting Services will purchase the ticket for the teacher on their behalf and will be reimbursed by the school instead of the teacher.
9. Paid vacations and holidays: Most schools offer 10 days paid vacation. This is usually one week vacation in the summer and one week in the winter. In addition, the teacher will receive off all Korean national holidays, usually between 9-14 days per year.
10. Overtime: Overtime varies from school to school but usually falls between 18,000-25,000 won per hour ($18-25).
11. Severance Pay: Upon completion of the contract teachers will receive a one month severance bonus (one month extra pay). This one-month bonus, paid in the last month, is standard with all contracts and is legally required from all schools under Korean law. The school is not required to pay this bonus if the teacher terminates their contract prematurely.
12. Tax rates: Income tax rates are extremely low in Korea. For many teachers the rate is around 3%. To check out the amount of income tax you would pay, visit the National Tax Service website in English at: http://www.nts.go.kr/eng/
13. Health insurance: Korean employers are obligated to provide their teachers with health care insurance and most schools choose to go with the National Health Insurance Plan. The cost of the medical insurance will be split 50-50 between the school and the teacher. The amount that the teacher would pay amounts to 2.59% of their monthly salary. This insurance is not effective until your residency in Korea has been provided (when you receive your Alien Registration Card), which is usually around 2-4 weeks after arrival to Korea. It is advised that all teachers buy travel insurance with medical coverage for 30-45 days following arrival in Korea. To get more information about the Health Plan, please visit the National Health Insurance website at: http://www.nhic.or.kr/eng
14. Sick leave: Most contracts do have provisions for 3-4 sick days with a doctor’s note. However, it is important that teachers use these sparingly as other teachers will be the recipient of your classes in case you need to miss. Emergency leave of up to one week can normally be provided in the case of serious family emergency.
15. Pension Plan: Teachers pay 4.5% of their monthly salary which is fully matched by the employer who also pays 4.5% (so a total of 9% is stored in the national pension). Paying into this pension is legally required in Korea. The teacher will receive their full pension refund (both their contribution and their employer’s contribution) when they leave Korea. This can add up to almost an extra month’s pay for the teacher at the end of the year. This full refund only applies to teachers from Canada, the U.S. or Australia. Currently, teachers from other countries are unable to get this refund as their government has no reciprocal agreement with the Korean government. For more information about the National Pension Plan, please visit their homepage in English at: http://www.nps.or.kr/jsppage/english/main.jsp

Why Teach in Korea

Why Korea? It’s a question that I’ve been asked again and again. Quite simply Korea offers some great teaching opportunities with terrific benefits. With benefits that include free housing, free airfare, good starting salaries, a one-month salary bonus at the end of your contract, medical insurance, low taxes and two-weeks paid vacation, the rewards to come and teach in Korea are very high. If you are a university graduate looking for an opportunity to experience a new culture while saving money, teaching English in Korea may be a good fit for you.

The benefits of coming to teach in Korea include:

Experiencing a new culture: Korea offers some great opportunities to immerse yourself in a new culture. With its beautiful beaches, breathtaking mountains, historical temples, bustling cities and delicious food, Korea has something to offer everyone.

Saving money: Many teachers who come to Korea are able to save two-thirds of their salary while still living well. This is mainly due to the fact that most of your major expenses are paid as the housing is provided free and taxes in Korea are very low (around 3%). Furthermore, the low cost of living in Korea with food and transportation being quite inexpensive makes for great savings potential. This gives you the opportunity to save money for the future, pay off student loans, invest or travel.

Great compensation packages: All teaching positions in Korea come with excellent compensation packages which include:

• free return airfare from your country to your location in Korea
• free housing in a single or shared apartment
• one month’s bonus salary at the end of the contract
• medical insurance, half paid by the school
• renewable 12 month contracts with the school
• two weeks paid vacation in addition to all Korean holidays

Gaining valuable experience: Teaching overseas not only provides opportunities to save for the future, but it also provides valuable overseas experience that looks good on your resume to prospective employers. Furthermore, some teachers discover that they love teaching and end up making a career out of it.

Traveling: Korea is perfectly located for inexpensive travel to many great places in Asia including China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Many teachers choose to travel during their paid vacation. Other teachers take extended vacations at the end of their contract when they receive their one-month bonus.

Basic Qualifications to Teach in Korea

In order to obtain an E-2 teaching visa for Korea, you must satisfy the following requirements:

1. You must be a native English speaker. Teaching experience is not necessary, although it is an asset.
2. You must be a citizen of one of these seven countries: Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa. Under Korean law only citizens of these countries are eligible for the E-2 teaching visa.
3. You must hold a valid passport from one of the above-mentioned countries with at least six months validity remaining on it from the time of your departure. We recommend having at least 12 months however, as it can be difficult to renew your passport in Korea.
4. You must have a 3-4 year Bachelor’s degree in any major from an accredited university. 2 year associate degree holders are not eligible to obtain an E-2 teaching visa even if they hold a TESOL certificate.
5. You must not have a criminal record.

Is moving to South Korea to teach english right for me?

(click on ITC logo for more information on the 2012 Challenge)

The closest I've been to Asia is Israel and Russia and since I think it would be rare for me to want to settle in an Asian country for an extended amount of time, Asia took #1 spot on places I would like to teach english & travel to first.

When I started playing with the idea of moving out of the U.S. there were a lot of factors effecting where I would go, why and for how long. As certain aspects have resolved themselves its likely that I will be leaving with little money for traveling saved up, however I am thrilled to say that I have my savings account for bills & student loans while I am away in great shape! As my last few months pass I am aggressively paying hospital bills and dental bills, which will be paid off before I leave which leaves little money left to save for traveling.

So I need to plan a way to make & save money to travel. In 2005 I volunteered to teach English in Russia and found it extremely challenging and even more rewarding and would love to take another opportunity to teach, and this time I’ll be making money too!

Through a bit of research and talking to friends who have taught outside of the US recently it turns out that Asia is one of the best places to teach right now with building economies and the desire for a good hold on the English language, the real question is which country to teach in.

In September 2011 I posted about where I would like to travel next saying that South Korea was at the top of my list and the best fit for me to teach & save money. I've heard mixed reviews about using a recruiting company and have decided I would like to use one and so far have decided to go with http://morganrecruiters.com/ although that could change if I find someone who can convince me otherwise. (I’d love any insight you can provide!)

 

I don't want to live in a huge city like Seoul, I'd like a more rural experience. I've got my eye on a more southwest location, better climate there too!

 

So why is South Korea appealing to me?

1) It's a gorgeous country and has a coastline, I get butterflies just thinking of being able to visit the beach without having to travel over 700+ miles!

2) There is a large buddhist influence there and I'd love the opportunity to learn more about it while I am there and to visit several Buddhist temples.

3) It is a quick boat trip or flight to China and Japan and only a little further to several other Asian countries. How great it will be to take my vacations to other Asian countries!

4) North Korea and the de-militarized zone (DMZ). To most this would be a very negative aspect of moving to South Korea but I am seriously excited to research it more while I am there. It will make a great research topic for me.

5) Money. This is a large factor that originally drew me to South Korea with great salaries, low cost of living, incentives, bonuses, insurance and flight reimbursement just to name a few examples.                                                       

What do you think? Have you ever taught English in another country? Any tips or advice?

Here is some basic information from Morgan Recruiters website about teaching in South Korea:

Working Conditions

All standard contracts in Korea will contain provisions for the conditions detailed below. If you have any questions regarding any of these conditions, please ask one of our recruiters or the director of your school.

1. Contract length: One year (12 months). Contracts are renewable if agreed upon by both the teacher and the school.
2. Working hours: Standard contracts call for 25-30 hours per week, averaging 100-120 hours per month from Monday to Friday. A few schools have Saturday classes and some schools, particularly those with adult classes, have split shifts. In your online application you should specify if you are willing to take Saturday classes.
3. Salary: Salaries normally fall between 2 million and 2.5 million won/month depending on experience and qualifications.
4. Class size: Most class sizes are quite small, usually between 7-12 students.
5. Student ages: Most schools have a variety of ages. Most have some kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school classes.
6. Housing: Housing is provided free of charge either in a single studio apartment or in shared housing with other teachers. You should specify on your application which type of housing you desire. Shared housing is more common in the big cities (Seoul, Busan) where housing prices are higher. In the case of shared housing, each teacher will have their own bedroom and the living room/kitchen area will be shared. The apartment will be fully furnished for the teacher and furnishings provided include bed, TV, microwave, wardrobe, table and chairs, kitchenware, gas range and washing machine. While the apartment is provided free of charge, the teacher is responsible for utilities (gas, cable) and phone charges.
7. Cost of living: In general about 500,000-700,000 won/month will cover a teacher’s entire living expenses for one month including utilities.
8. Airfare: The school agrees to purchase a one-way ticket for teachers from the closest international airport in their home country to their location in Korea. After completing the one-year contract, the teacher will be provided a return ticket back to their point of origin or a ticket of similar value so that they can travel elsewhere. In the event that the teacher quits before completing their contract, the teacher agrees to reimburse the employer the cost of the paid airfare. Your airline ticket will be reserved by Morgan Recruiting once you submit your paperwork for your teaching visa to the Korean consulate in your home country. The airline ticket will be sent to you either as an electronic ticket to your email or as a paper ticket to your home address.
   Note: Many schools prepay the teacher’s airfare to Korea in advance but some schools will request that the teacher purchase their own airline ticket and then be reimbursed for the airfare upon arrival to Korea. In the event that schools ask teachers to purchase the ticket themselves and be reimbursed upon arrival, Morgan Recruiting Services will purchase the ticket for the teacher on their behalf and will be reimbursed by the school instead of the teacher.
9. Paid vacations and holidays: Most schools offer 10 days paid vacation. This is usually one week vacation in the summer and one week in the winter. In addition, the teacher will receive off all Korean national holidays, usually between 9-14 days per year.
10. Overtime: Overtime varies from school to school but usually falls between 18,000-25,000 won per hour ($18-25).
11. Severance Pay: Upon completion of the contract teachers will receive a one month severance bonus (one month extra pay). This one-month bonus, paid in the last month, is standard with all contracts and is legally required from all schools under Korean law. The school is not required to pay this bonus if the teacher terminates their contract prematurely.
12. Tax rates: Income tax rates are extremely low in Korea. For many teachers the rate is around 3%. To check out the amount of income tax you would pay, visit the National Tax Service website in English at: http://www.nts.go.kr/eng/
13. Health insurance: Korean employers are obligated to provide their teachers with health care insurance and most schools choose to go with the National Health Insurance Plan. The cost of the medical insurance will be split 50-50 between the school and the teacher. The amount that the teacher would pay amounts to 2.59% of their monthly salary. This insurance is not effective until your residency in Korea has been provided (when you receive your Alien Registration Card), which is usually around 2-4 weeks after arrival to Korea. It is advised that all teachers buy travel insurance with medical coverage for 30-45 days following arrival in Korea. To get more information about the Health Plan, please visit the National Health Insurance website at: http://www.nhic.or.kr/eng
14. Sick leave: Most contracts do have provisions for 3-4 sick days with a doctor’s note. However, it is important that teachers use these sparingly as other teachers will be the recipient of your classes in case you need to miss. Emergency leave of up to one week can normally be provided in the case of serious family emergency.
15. Pension Plan: Teachers pay 4.5% of their monthly salary which is fully matched by the employer who also pays 4.5% (so a total of 9% is stored in the national pension). Paying into this pension is legally required in Korea. The teacher will receive their full pension refund (both their contribution and their employer’s contribution) when they leave Korea. This can add up to almost an extra month’s pay for the teacher at the end of the year. This full refund only applies to teachers from Canada, the U.S. or Australia. Currently, teachers from other countries are unable to get this refund as their government has no reciprocal agreement with the Korean government. For more information about the National Pension Plan, please visit their homepage in English at: http://www.nps.or.kr/jsppage/english/main.jsp

Why Teach in Korea

Why Korea? It’s a question that I’ve been asked again and again. Quite simply Korea offers some great teaching opportunities with terrific benefits. With benefits that include free housing, free airfare, good starting salaries, a one-month salary bonus at the end of your contract, medical insurance, low taxes and two-weeks paid vacation, the rewards to come and teach in Korea are very high. If you are a university graduate looking for an opportunity to experience a new culture while saving money, teaching English in Korea may be a good fit for you.

The benefits of coming to teach in Korea include:

Experiencing a new culture: Korea offers some great opportunities to immerse yourself in a new culture. With its beautiful beaches, breathtaking mountains, historical temples, bustling cities and delicious food, Korea has something to offer everyone.

Saving money: Many teachers who come to Korea are able to save two-thirds of their salary while still living well. This is mainly due to the fact that most of your major expenses are paid as the housing is provided free and taxes in Korea are very low (around 3%). Furthermore, the low cost of living in Korea with food and transportation being quite inexpensive makes for great savings potential. This gives you the opportunity to save money for the future, pay off student loans, invest or travel.

Great compensation packages: All teaching positions in Korea come with excellent compensation packages which include:

• free return airfare from your country to your location in Korea
• free housing in a single or shared apartment
• one month’s bonus salary at the end of the contract
• medical insurance, half paid by the school
• renewable 12 month contracts with the school
• two weeks paid vacation in addition to all Korean holidays

Gaining valuable experience: Teaching overseas not only provides opportunities to save for the future, but it also provides valuable overseas experience that looks good on your resume to prospective employers. Furthermore, some teachers discover that they love teaching and end up making a career out of it.

Traveling: Korea is perfectly located for inexpensive travel to many great places in Asia including China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Many teachers choose to travel during their paid vacation. Other teachers take extended vacations at the end of their contract when they receive their one-month bonus.

Basic Qualifications to Teach in Korea

In order to obtain an E-2 teaching visa for Korea, you must satisfy the following requirements:

1. You must be a native English speaker. Teaching experience is not necessary, although it is an asset.
2. You must be a citizen of one of these seven countries: Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa. Under Korean law only citizens of these countries are eligible for the E-2 teaching visa.
3. You must hold a valid passport from one of the above-mentioned countries with at least six months validity remaining on it from the time of your departure. We recommend having at least 12 months however, as it can be difficult to renew your passport in Korea.
4. You must have a 3-4 year Bachelor’s degree in any major from an accredited university. 2 year associate degree holders are not eligible to obtain an E-2 teaching visa even if they hold a TESOL certificate.
5. You must not have a criminal record.

Bucket List #28: Victoria Falls, Zambia, Africa

I was reading on the travel website Wild Junket written by Nellie Huang about her trip to Africa and saw this picture. With how breath taking this photo is I know it's true beauty can not be expressed simply in photos and I just know that I need to see it in person!

Going to Rwanda is already on my bucket list so adding Victoria Falls is just helping me map out my visit while in Africa although I have a feeling I'm going to have to live in Africa for a while since there is just so much I want to do & see!

Bucket List #28: Victoria Falls, Zambia, Africa

I was reading on the travel website Wild Junket written by Nellie Huang about her trip to Africa and saw this picture. With how breath taking this photo is I know it's true beauty can not be expressed simply in photos and I just know that I need to see it in person!

Going to Rwanda is already on my bucket list so adding Victoria Falls is just helping me map out my visit while in Africa although I have a feeling I'm going to have to live in Africa for a while since there is just so much I want to do & see!