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enj0i
Joined: 07 Sep 2011
Location: SXM w/o a passport
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 Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 10:52 am Post subject: TaLK program..... |
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Whatup everyone, sorry if this has been covered already but the search feature isn't working at all.
I'm a 29yo IT professional, sick of IT, sick of all the 2-faced people in my vicinity and after a nightmare of a breakup with my ex I just wanna get away and do something different.
Anyway, my qualifications don't meet the criteria of programs like epik so I'm looking at TaLk since you're good with only an associate's through them. I just wanna ask a couple of questions and if anyone familiar with this program can answer them I apreciate it.
1) I have an interview tuesday via skype, what kind of questions can I expect and what kind of questions should I ask? I presume this won't be too formal of an interview? Do I need to act like I already have an ideas drawn up for lesson plans and so on (I sure as hell don't)?
2) Am I mental leaving the states to do something like this? Ya I know I'll be giving up alot but at the same time life in asia seems so much more simplistic and I think I'd truly enjoy that aspect of it.
3) I'm going this week to get my prints for the FBI, how long can I expect for that to take? And do they mail the CRC back to me? And once I get it how do I go about getting it apostilled?
4) If I get into this program and leave in like Jan. or Feb. how much money should I initially bring? I'm on a real tight budget at the moment.
5) As far as shopping goes, I'm guessing the type of clothing in regards to brands/sizes migh tbe in scarcity in Korea?
I know I have alot more questions but I can't think of shit right now. The 1st one is really the most important because I'm really interested in trying this out and I don't have a clue about what I need to be prepared for in this interview.
Thanks! |
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DaHu
Joined: 09 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Try not to mention your personal problems or use profanity during the interview. Enunciate and use proper grammar. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Will you like living with your boss? Recruiters often neglect to mention that part. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
| Will you like living with your boss? Recruiters often neglect to mention that part. |
Some people have to live with their bosses, while others get apartments larger than those that most regular employees get. It's not as if there's a TALK standard that you'll live with your boss. |
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enj0i
Joined: 07 Sep 2011
Location: SXM w/o a passport
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
| Will you like living with your boss? Recruiters often neglect to mention that part. |
Hmm, def. would not be a fan of that. Please tell me you're joking. |
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enj0i
Joined: 07 Sep 2011
Location: SXM w/o a passport
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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| DaHu wrote: |
| Try not to mention your personal problems or use profanity during the interview. Enunciate and use proper grammar. |
Ya that goes without saying. My grammar is good just don't proofread often on forums. Can you elaborate more on my first question if you don't mind? Thanks. |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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| enj0i wrote: |
| sojusucks wrote: |
| Will you like living with your boss? Recruiters often neglect to mention that part. |
Hmm, def. would not be a fan of that. Please tell me you're joking. |
Not joking, but exaggerating. Some TALK employees do, but by no means all. |
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enj0i
Joined: 07 Sep 2011
Location: SXM w/o a passport
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
| enj0i wrote: |
| sojusucks wrote: |
| Will you like living with your boss? Recruiters often neglect to mention that part. |
Hmm, def. would not be a fan of that. Please tell me you're joking. |
Not joking, but exaggerating. Some TALK employees do, but by no means all. |
if that is how it pans out is it more of like your boss and his family hosting you or something? |
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DaHu
Joined: 09 Feb 2011
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Yeah I thought about Talk before, but the homestay pretty much ruled it out for me. That would be BRUTAL. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 5:57 am Post subject: |
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| northway wrote: |
| sojusucks wrote: |
| Will you like living with your boss? Recruiters often neglect to mention that part. |
Some people have to live with their bosses, while others get apartments larger than those that most regular employees get. It's not as if there's a TALK standard that you'll live with your boss. |
The Talk program guarantees a single apartment for this coming school year?
Didn't think so. Be honest about the homestay part of it. |
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isitts
Joined: 25 Dec 2008
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: TaLK program..... |
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| enj0i wrote: |
Whatup everyone, sorry if this has been covered already but the search feature isn't working at all.
I'm a 29yo IT professional, sick of IT, sick of all the 2-faced people in my vicinity and after a nightmare of a breakup with my ex I just wanna get away and do something different.
Anyway, my qualifications don't meet the criteria of programs like epik so I'm looking at TaLk since you're good with only an associate's through them. I just wanna ask a couple of questions and if anyone familiar with this program can answer them I apreciate it.
1) I have an interview tuesday via skype, what kind of questions can I expect and what kind of questions should I ask? I presume this won't be too formal of an interview? Do I need to act like I already have an ideas drawn up for lesson plans and so on (I sure as hell don't)?
2) Am I mental leaving the states to do something like this? Ya I know I'll be giving up alot but at the same time life in asia seems so much more simplistic and I think I'd truly enjoy that aspect of it.
3) I'm going this week to get my prints for the FBI, how long can I expect for that to take? And do they mail the CRC back to me? And once I get it how do I go about getting it apostilled?
4) If I get into this program and leave in like Jan. or Feb. how much money should I initially bring? I'm on a real tight budget at the moment.
5) As far as shopping goes, I'm guessing the type of clothing in regards to brands/sizes migh tbe in scarcity in Korea?
I know I have alot more questions but I can't think of shit right now. The 1st one is really the most important because I'm really interested in trying this out and I don't have a clue about what I need to be prepared for in this interview.
Thanks! |
1) I would focus on why you want to teach/live in Korea rather than why you want to leave the US. What interests you about Korea?
2) No. Change of scenery can be nice. But similar to what I just mentioned, I'm always apprehensive about running away from something because then I'm not looking where I'm going. You could end up in a worse situation than you left. If you focus on where you want to go, it can help take your mind off what you're leaving.
3) Check any of the FBI CBC threads on this site. You've got some time to mull over your decision...especially if you don't live near DC or in a state that pretends to be authorized to authenticate federal documents.
4) No sure what TALK pays, or if they give you any allowances when you arrive. I usually like to bring 1k or so. Think I brought $900 or so.
5) Um...some Koreans are pretty big dudes. I rarely do any shopping for clothes overseas. Maybe someone else can answer this.
Hope some of this is helpful. Good luck to you! |
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northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
| northway wrote: |
| sojusucks wrote: |
| Will you like living with your boss? Recruiters often neglect to mention that part. |
Some people have to live with their bosses, while others get apartments larger than those that most regular employees get. It's not as if there's a TALK standard that you'll live with your boss. |
The Talk program guarantees a single apartment for this coming school year?
Didn't think so. Be honest about the homestay part of it. |
I know a bunch of folks who did TALK, none of whom had to live with their bosses. Stop scaremongering. |
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enj0i
Joined: 07 Sep 2011
Location: SXM w/o a passport
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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| thanks for the input everyone, I'll keep this thread updated as I learn more. |
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valium kilmer
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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Hi
I usually don't post on this forum due to the overwhelming negativity (I would advise you to ignore most of it) but I've actually completed two years with TaLK so can answer a few of your questions (sorry I'm a little late for the interview.)
First of all, I don't know ANYONE who lived with their bosses - a few people were offered, or chose homestays, but in the orientation they actually mentioned that they try to discourage it, as it's usually not successful. I lived in 2 really nice apartments.
There are negative points to TaLK - personally I think they take advantage of the fact that you don't have a degree, and so keep the pay to a minimum (1.5m, no severance, no pay during orientation etc.) when you could actually end up working a full time job. And the orientation was bullshit.
However - I did the TaLK program solely because it allowed me to be in Korea without a full Bachelors, and now I'm back home trying to finish my degree to get back out ASAP. My school were great - didn't speak a lot of English, which was ok, as it allowed me to quicken pace with my Korean learning, and generally didn't involve themselves too much with me or my classes - but again, that suited me as I could come and go pretty much as I pleased.I also got loads of holiday there - though I never knew about it til a few days before in each case. (I mention this as I know they will actually looking for someone come February so if it sounds like your thing let me know.) So really I have to be grateful to TaLK as they at least allowed me to be out there doing something I wanted to do.
Sometimes earning less than everyone around you can be frustrating - I didn't save anything, but I sent home a couple of grand several times to pay off some bills, and I also was out every weekend - though I didn't do much travelling, and didn't get to go off to Thailand/bali whenever my holidays came around - though a little more frugality on my part could have easily changed that.
Just to number these to wrap this up:
2) Incidentally, I was 27, had just broken up with my girlfriend and did it as an excuse to get away - was probably the best decision I ever made! So would definitely encourage you to go.
3) I'm British - no idea.
4) You need to prepare for 2 months - around $1000 should cover you - possibly less. TaLK covers most of the food/shelter for the first month - then everyone has the first few weeks of little cash - someone more acquainted with costs in the US will be more helpful with this.
5) My advice would be to pack for winter and worry about the rest when you're out there. You can always find most things - with the possible exception of shoes - but i wouldn't worry too much about it.
If you have any other questions feel free to message me - thats quite a long reply but in a nutshell I would definitely say go for it!  |
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valium kilmer
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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| sojusucks wrote: |
The Talk program guarantees a single apartment for this coming school year?
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They did when I applied, yes. |
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