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carolc
Joined: 23 Dec 2008
Location: Florida
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 Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 3:41 pm Post subject: Consulate Interview for EPIK |
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Hello,
I was told by the Korean Consulate in Atlanta that I do not require an in person interview if I'm going to work for EPIK, so I sent them my visa confirmation number and and all the required documents. They are now telling me that I have to come in for an interview, and that this happens sometimes with EPIK numbers. This is a pain, because a live in Florida. Has anyone ever had this happen? Also, what is the interview process like?
Thanks for some insight. |
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redhed
Joined: 05 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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No, that did not happen to me, but I can tell you that the interview in Atlanta will not be worth the trip up there. You will wait in the office for about 45 minutes, the consular general will call several of you (probably) into the office, and explain to you that he is a very busy man (true) who doesn't have time to interview every foreigner who wants to teach english in his country. He will claim that there is nothing you can tell him that some other applicant has not said before, then he will ask you all quick questions to hear your speaking voice, then tell you to come back at 11 the next morning and pick up your passport. The sad thing is that it is just as much a waste of his time as yours, but he has to do it and as far as I know so do you. I don't think there is any getting out of it, but I'm no expert.
Also, he loves college football, seriously, the entire extent of my girlfriends interview was Georgia Bulldog's football, where he watches it, (home or bar) and what he drinks when he watches it. (beer) I am not kidding, that is what they talked about, and that's it. |
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Straphanger
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Chilgok, Korea
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| Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: Consulate Interview for EPIK |
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| carolc wrote: |
| I was told by the Korean Consulate in Atlanta that I do not require an in person interview if I'm going to work for EPIK, so I sent them my visa confirmation number and and all the required documents. They are now telling me that I have to come in for an interview, and that this happens sometimes with EPIK numbers. This is a pain, because a live in Florida. Has anyone ever had this happen? Also, what is the interview process like? |
I was "on vacation" in Florida before I came here. My boss sent me an e-ticket number and told me when my appointment was. I parked in short term, got on the plane to Atlanta from TPA, then flew back the same day. Had some lunch at a really nice Texican place. Tell the consular general I said hi. The interview is a piece of piss. They will give you a form to fill out that asks all the questions that immi asked you before (do you do drugs, are you a criminal, do you like little boys, etc). They will then take you in the back and ask you all these questions verbally. Then "Why do you want to come to Korea?" (My answer: There's a job there.) Then "What do you know about Korea?" (My answer: I hear there are a lot of mountains... oh and when you pour the soju you gotta do it with two hands.)
I hope EPIK pays your flight. If not, enjoy the drive. I'd love to have some Cuban or Guatemalan food again. Drive up the Gulf, take a few days. Rent a convertible. It's a good thing. |
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blonde researcher
Joined: 16 Oct 2006
Location: Globalizing in Korea for the time being
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| Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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general rules that are applied.
If you have a visa number from the immigration office it means an interview at the embassy (even if it is a public school and EPIK contract)
If you have a letter of appointment from EPIK head office or an office of education = no interview at embassy resuired |
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Michelle
Joined: 18 May 2003
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| Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| redhed wrote: |
No, that did not happen to me, but I can tell you that the interview in Atlanta will not be worth the trip up there. You will wait in the office for about 45 minutes, the consular general will call several of you (probably) into the office, and explain to you that he is a very busy man (true) who doesn't have time to interview every foreigner who wants to teach english in his country. He will claim that there is nothing you can tell him that some other applicant has not said before, then he will ask you all quick questions to hear your speaking voice, then tell you to come back at 11 the next morning and pick up your passport. The sad thing is that it is just as much a waste of his time as yours, but he has to do it and as far as I know so do you. I don't think there is any getting out of it, but I'm no expert.
Also, he loves college football, seriously, the entire extent of my girlfriends interview was Georgia Bulldog's football, where he watches it, (home or bar) and what he drinks when he watches it. (beer) I am not kidding, that is what they talked about, and that's it. |
Hi,
Is the kind man too busy to save an appointment time by picking up a phone and conducting a phone interview?
What could the paperwork say that might make them want to see you in person?
or is it to do with his workload? |
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carolc
Joined: 23 Dec 2008
Location: Florida
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject: Thanks everyone! |
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| Thanks everyone, I'm shopping for a cheap flight. Wish me luck..it's Springbreak. |
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