So I was supposed to leave for Korea this Wednesday, but the worst thing happened...
I arrived at the Korean consulate in San Francisco with my passport and a visa confirmation number on Monday morning, with the intention of going into the consulate and receiving a stamp on my passport and be on my way. But instead I was given a bunch of forms, and a list of things that I needed to bring to them. When I looked at the list of things that I needed, I found out that half of the things on the list were things that I sent over to South Korea to have my visa processed there!
Ugh! Now most people that know me haven't seen me mad, or at least not as mad as I can get, but at this point I thought I was going to lose it! Especially considering my morning consisted of riding on the bus for 40 minutes to arrive at the Korean Embassy only to find out information that they could have given to me over the phone! On the one hand, maybe I should have asked more questions, but on the other hand I also am frustrated because I wasn't aware of these requirements until 2 days before I was scheduled to leave.
Most of the things on this list were items that I could get on my own, but they wanted me to get a transcript, and a copy of my diploma, which would be challenging considering that I'm not in Goshen, so the transcript has to be mailed to me, and I was asked by the language institute in Korea to send the original diploma to them as part of the visa process!
So I faxed a transcript request to GC, which will be getting to me on wednesday morning, and I made a phone call to someone in Korea asking them to scan and email a copy of my diploma to me so I can print it out. I also canceled my flight, and will have to buy another plane ticket as soon as I can leave. (Fortunately I will be reimbursed for the plane ticket).
I'm supposed to be teaching classes on Monday, but I don't know if I'll be able to make it in time. Unfortunately I also won't be oriented before heading into a classroom, but fortunately, Jesse talk English good!
Start teaching on Monday!? Ak! You're going to have jet lag too. What age are you going to teach? How many different classes? This is crazy!
ReplyDeletePlease don't take my keys with you to Korea!
ReplyDeleteI love you.
I'm teaching 7 classes, and most of my students are adults. Also most of my classes are the same, so I only have to prepare for them once.
ReplyDeleteYou survived the bureaucracy with amazing agility. And a foreign bureaucracy at that. It takes considerable inner resources to do what you did. And no one but you knows the emotional cost. Well done! Good on ya, mate!
ReplyDeleteHope you're cacthing up on sleep and settling in well.
I'm looking forward to your updates~~~