Today I want to talk about the actual process of being hired as a native English teacher through the EPIK program. I decided I would begin preparations to apply for the program about 6-7 month before my desired start date. I decided I would apply for the spring 2014 start date. The EPIK application process is a long one and I needed as much time as possible to gather all the documents required. I will write about what I remember but for more detailed information about the application process; it can be found on the EPIK website.
The first thing and one that is very important is deciding the method of applying for EPIK. There are two options apply via a recruiter or apply directly through the EPIK website. This is a matter of preference and how comfortable someone is with doing the process on their own or not. Some people may feel more comfortable having someone help them along and double checking things. If this option is chosen it’s important to choose a recruiter with a good reputation. Some people may decide to apply directly which may be harder but will probably be faster than applying through a recruiter because you’ll receive information back faster. I did speak to a recruiter at first just to check my options but ultimately I decided to apply directly through the EPIK website.
I decided to apply directly because I read through EPIK’s website and knew I could gather all the documents and prepare everything without the help of a recruiter; it didn’t seem like such a complicated process that I couldn’t manage on my own. I also liked that I would receive information faster regarding the status of my application. I would also have an EPIK coordinator assigned to me if I passed the interview therefore I would still have someone I could talk to if I was confused about anything.
For the initial application the following is needed: A completed application, essay, lesson plan, and recent professional photo, and two letters of recommendation. This is emailed directly to EPIK. The website and Facebook page will say when they are accepting new applications for the upcoming term. I made sure to ask for my letters of recommendation early and begin preparing my application early so I could submit everything as soon as applications were starting to be accepted.
I submitted my application in late August and finally received an email in late September informing me they wanted an interview in the beginning of October. They give you a set date and time. If for some reason they reject your application they’ll still email you back to let you know the status.
My interview was through skype with an EPIK coordinator. I was unsure of what to expect really so beforehand I went online and searched for other people experiences with the interviews and advice on how to prepare. As for my advice, prepare similarly to what you would for an in person interview. Dress well, have a well lit room, quiet room, have a pen, printed application, be there early, relax, and think about questions you might be asked. For example, if you were hiring a teacher what would you want to know and what qualities would you want. Be honest about your reasons for wanting the job and be yourself.
The interview: Well, like I mentioned it’s through skype. My interviewer was nice but seemed serious. He asked many things; from what I recall he asked about my application, lesson plan, reasons for wanting to teach abroad, my qualities, and if I had questions. It wasn’t a bad interview and felt relaxed however by the end I was not sure if it went well or not. I think I only saw the interviewer smile twice the whole 30-35 min. I really couldn’t read his facial expressions. So I anxiously waited a few days to hear back if I had passed to the next step or if I was rejected.
I received an email stating I passed to the next step, who my assigned coordinator was (the person who interviewed me was my coordinator), and all the documents I would need to complete the application process and receive a placement and be officially hired.
There are many documents needed and it did take months to get some of them so I feel people should begin preparing at least 6 months before their desired start date because you’ll need as much time as possible in case you have delays. Documents: Apostilled college degree, inked signed letters of recommendations, Authenticated Criminal background check from FBI, Printed final application with a passport size professional picture, sealed college transcripts, copy of passport info. Page, photocopies of everything, and TEFL/TESOL certificate (if in progress make sure it’ll be complete by the time you leave for South Korea) bring the certificate with you. I’m American and those were the documents I needed but it may differ for a different nationality. Once you gather everything you mail it to your coordinator I used UPS, some people use FedEx, DHL. Make sure to have tracking on it so you know where your documents are and maybe make it signature required for delivery. I also emailed my coordinator to let him know my documents would be arriving and he wrote back once he received them.
Once the documents are in South Korea and approved they are ready to be submitted to either a POE or MOE office of education for a placement. In the application there is a box where applicants can put down a preference for province or city. I actually didn’t have a preference and left it up to God. I honestly didn’t want to choose a city or province because I had never been to South Korea so it didn’t really matter. My coordinator would send my application package where he thought I had a good chance of getting a placement. Most people of course want Seoul, Daegu, Busan, and Ulsan, some city areas or bigger towns. Well, my application was sent to Gyeongbuk province.
Eventually my coordinator emailed me again to inform me I had received a placement for the spring 2014 start date in Gyeongbuk province. I was thrilled because after months of hard work I finally was a lot closer to moving abroad to teach. After someone gets placed EPIK sends over a notice of appointment and contract that is needed to apply for the visa to work and live in South Korea. There are other documents you’ll need to take with you like your Diploma, transcripts, and it may differ depending on location so call the embassy/consulate beforehand to ask what you need to take with you. Once you have that and your passport you go to nearest Korean embassy/consulate and apply for the visa. Once you have your visa, and plane ticket you are set to go.
There is a weeklong orientation before you begin work in South Korea. It’s not bad, you meet other new teachers, try new food, field trip, classes on teaching, and you teach a mock class with two other native teachers. After you teach your mock class you get feedback. After the orientation you will receive the official contract you will sign and later give to your school. That’s also when you finally find out your town or city and the name of your school. It’s actually quite exciting because the whole week people are wondering where they will be living with absolutely no idea. So it’s nice to finally know. I was placed in a beautiful city with a lot of history and culture. I am not too far from Busan, Ulsan, or Daegu. So I think I was very lucky. After finding out where you’ll go it’s time for the farewell dinner. The following day you head out to the designated location where your co-teacher(s) or other person from your school will pick you up and take you to your apartment.
