Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) in Poland?

I published a post on my Polish blog (that is, the blog where I documented my time in Poland) about TEFL-ing there. It's a summary of my working conditions, whether I'd do it again or not, and the things to have in mind if going to teach there. The title is Teaching EFL in Poland: Would I Do It Again?

If you're thinking of tefl-ing in Poland (or are just curious), check out that post.

I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm willing to tackle any questions you send my way.

Total Cost of Getting the E-2 Visa for South Korea

So I returned to teach in the public school sector of South Korea for the second time.

There are plenty of websites and videos giving information on where to teach, what schools to teach in, how much you can earn, cultural aspects to have in mind, and so much more. However, I have not seen how much getting the E-2 visa can cost.

Allow me to share my expenses. One thing though, I didn't keep all the receipts, so there are probably some costs I've overlooked/forgotten. Nonetheless, this should give you an idea of how much you may spend to ultimately get your E-2 visa for South Korea.

Brace yourself, here we go:

Fingerprint cards at the Sheriff's Office/Police Station: $5/fingerprint card (I got 2)
Delivering fingerprint card to Approved Channeler: $6.65

FBI Criminal Background Check (through approved channeler): $39.95
Apostille fee for FBI CBC: $52.50 ($2.50 tax included)
To send FBI CBC to get it apostilled: $6.65
Copy of my university diploma and getting it both notarized and apostilled: $65

Passport pictures (each pair): $7.44 (I got 3 sets)

Sending all the documents to South Korea to get my contract and notice of appointment: $92.63

Visa Application fee: $45 (money order at the Post Office = $46.20)

Overnight Priority Express to Korean embassy + SASE of the same kind: $47.70

IRS Residency (for Americans to not pay taxes in Korea) fee: $85

Total: $389.60 (or $474.60 if you add the IRS Residency fee)

Not to insult your intelligence, but the process is not cheap, but considering you can earn +$2,000 USD per month and you can easily save half (depending on your spending habits and if you have debt or not), I'd say it pays for itself over and over again.

As the saying goes, "It takes money to make money." Getting your E-2 visa for South Korea is yet another example of that.

Around how much did you have to pay, especially as a non-American?

DO NOT apply to these ESL/EFL scammers!

Anyone looking for English teaching jobs overseas, do yourself a favor and avoid these websites. They are scams.

I learned for myself, although fortunately in time before losing money/time/effort/etc.

1. www.techcenterlimited.co.uk

2. www.1stclassacademy.co.uk

3. anyone or anything that comes from www.global-teachers.org

Just trying to help others avoid an unnecessarily unpleasant experience.

Do you know of any others that should be avoided like the plague?

On the road again . . .

Well, here we are.

I'm making the last minute checks and such before my departure.

Yes, I'm off again.

Where?

Back to South Korea!

This means I will revive my Teaching Souls in Seoul blog and continue documenting my time in Korea there, although I might share some random non-Korea-specific stuff here every once in a while. For the most part, I'll be posting on that blog from now until I leave Korea (again)--whenever that will be.

If you'll excuse me, I'll go back to my last-minute checks.

See you at my Korea blog!

DNA Results are in . . .

As interested as I am in learning about the origins of others--and especially my own--could you believe that I forgot about my DNA test through Family Tree DNA?

I knew it would take a while, so I just estimated it would be done by June and thought to forget about it until then. I happened to stumble upon it today, and then I noticed my results were in.

Oh, ok.

Let's check it out, shall we?

(***DISCLAIMER: These results might be slightly off. These tests are not fool-proof.***)

Here's the overall map, with my highlighted results.

This breaks it down to percentages.

Let's go in order of largest to smallest percentage:

1. European

Iberian Peninsula was expected. Scandinavia, however...

I wonder if this explains where my preferences for cold weather, solitude, and not talking so much comes from...

2. African

I knew I had West African blood, just not so much. Heck yeah!

3. Middle Eastern and New World (tie)

I actually expected a higher percentage. Still cool, though.

 Considering North Africa's role in Spanish history, I'm surprised the percentage is not higher.

Why is Cuba barely highlighted?!

Wait, is there more Native American in me than what met the Conquistadors in Cuba and Venezuela? Man, I wish I could witness the past.

4. Random, not-so-reliable, but you never know

Ok, I'll give you South Central Africa, but Oceania???

I'd love to get some answers for both of these regions.

So there you have it: except for Asia Minor and East Middle East, I just needed Asia to be a thoroughbred mut.

Will this change anything? Probably not. But I'm really excited to get some confirmation.

Have you taken this (or a similar) test? Did your results come out as you expected or did you discover some surprises?

Chosen DNA Test

I've got something else to share. 

***DISCLAIMER: I'm not paid for this at all. These are just my thoughts and the summary of my own research. I recommend you do your own and find what is best for you.***

You know all those DNA tests that are popular (Ancestry DNA, 23 and Me, etc.) and getting more popular (or so it seems to me)? I've wanted to take one for a long time.

Since I already have my taxes sorted out, I figured to treat myself to one of these tests.

The one I chose was Family Tree DNA

Why?

This article from The Legal Genealogist convinced me.

Basically, it offers the most for the lowest price ($79, but $90+ with shipping).

Apparently, this test is better for those who may not have European ancestry (or considerably less than others). 

I originally wanted to take the 23 and Me test, that checks your ancestry AND medical makeup ($199), but then I found out there's a site called Promethese that offers the same medical information for $5- $15. In essence, one needs to have their DNA results, upload them to Promethese, and it "reads" the information and can give one's medical/health makeup as well.

Below is a picture I took of the kit when it arrived. As you see, it included an intro letter, instructions, two swabs and two containers (for said swabs), a clear plastic bag with a form to sign (forgot what it was for), and a prepaid envelope.

I did as it said: swab one side of the inside of my mouth with one swab, put it in one container and break the handle part off and repeat with the other swab on the other side of the inside of my mouth.

Then just put everything into the prepaid envelope, drop it off in the mail, and done!

Now, I just need to wait 6 - 8 weeks for the results. I'm supposed to get an email when the results are in.

The complete Family Tree DNA test kit.

Alright, Let's see what they find . . . 

Exploring Jacksonville's Skyway (6. March)

Hello there.

Wow, I honestly didn't realize there was such a gap between the last post and this one. Whoops.

Let me get right into this and say this is something I've wanted to do for a long time, ever since I first saw it: ride on the Skyway and explore its route(s).

Speaking of route(s), here's the map:

Short and simple. Central Station is the "transfer" station.

Here are some snapshots I took of this adventure (of course I had to take my camera along!):

The walkway between the Kings Avenue Parking Garage and Kings Avenue Station, facing the parking garage.

Same as previous, but facing the metro station.

It was a bit of a ways over there. 

Good to know.

As you can see, this is a monorail metro train.

Crossing paths with another train, with downtown in the background.

Downtown Jacksonville

Greyhound Bus Terminal, near Central Station.

Had the entire car to myself, so why not?

I learned the hard way that these alarms really do work.

Escalators, and the stairs just beyond said escalators.

Interesting to see government buildings, parking garages, and abandoned buildings beside each other.

Hemming Plaza at Hemming Plaza Station.

main bus stop(s) at Rosa Parks Transit Station

Architecture that caught my attention between Rosa Parks and Hemming Stations.

Back at Hemming Station, I realized the Main Library was just across the street. I had to explore it. Can you believe I've never visited the main library of Jacksonville after having my family move here 5.5 years ago?!

By the way, I was in shock. I had no idea this library was so big (6 floors)!

Such a pleasant surprise.

The most memorable thing about the library. (3rd floor)

Same as the previous fountain.

Back at Riverplace Station, the stop before where I parked the car.

So yeah, quite straightforward.

This just brought me back to when I used the public transportation overseas. Good times.