Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MUOhio82]

I have to drive up to Chicago this Friday to get my passport stamped ...

Has anyone been through this consulate? I'm just looking to see overall what I can expect when I get there.

Thanks

[A46220]

It's no big deal really. You'll just fill out some forms and have a short interview. Make sure you get plenty of passport pictures and bring cash with you, because they won't takes checks or credit card. Also, you'll have to leave your passport with them and they will mail it to you a few days later.

[MSU Fan]

It is best if you get there early and take your time getting there, since it is confusing driving through Chicago, especially when on Wacker Drive. If you are taking Wacker Drive, make sure you drive slowly, since most streets aren't clearly marked.

Make sure all of your papers are ready. You need to fill out this form http://www.chicagoconsulate.org/data/file/form/1171303623_3454bc04_BAF1C0DABDC5C3BBBCAD.pdf (yes, there is yet another form you need to fill out). Make sure you take your time filling it out, since they write out the date as Year, Month, Day instead of Month, Day, Year.

Even if you have everything prepared, please expect them to claim you need to do another form or that you made a small error. When I was there, a guy complained for 3 minutes because he had to fill out the same form I did. The Consulate is decent, with a medium sized waiting room.

When they finally will call you in for your interview you will go through a door, past a receptionist/secretary, and then go through another door and sit by a break table for your "interview." I put interview in quotes because by around the time you are settled in your seat you are on your way out the door again. All they do is ask what your credentials are, why you want to work in Korea, why you like to teach, etc. The interview is more of a formality and making sure you aren't crazy or something. My interview took no more than 4 minutes, which made my 4.5 hour trip there kind of a waste of money.

Just relax, have all of the necessary materials and bring others that you won't need just to be on the safe side, and just view this as one of the last hurdles before finally coming to Korea. I have been here 2 months and all the bull I had to put up with before coming over melted away within the first week of being here. I have had many horrible jobs, including subbing at an inner-city school, and can tell you it is very rewarding teaching in Korea. I hope you will have a great time.[/u][/i][/b][/url]

[MUOhio82]

MSUFan, that form was the first one I filled out, and I already attached about 10 passport pictures to it, so I hope I'm ready to go...

The woman at the office gave me the list of everything I needed to bring, but I actually could barely understand her, which I thought was funny because I haven't even LEFT the country yet and I'm like "I don't understand you"

Thanks for all that info... I'm taking the L around the city, I have friends in town so thankfully I won't be driving anywhere.

Again, thank you, I appreciate it, and I can't wait to get over there