Considering Korea?

I won't bore you with another post about how incredible Korea is. Instead, I'll do my best to assist any and everyone who has questions about teaching English abroad.

From what I've heard, Korea offers you the best for the least. Meaning, you can come to Korea with absolutely no teaching experience and still make a very comfortable living. There are several things to consider when deciding a destination, South Korea or otherwise.

Do you have a teaching degree? Certificate? Where do you want to teach- city or rural? How much money are you expecting to make? The list goes on.

To get a good idea of what each potential country offers you, do a quick Google search. You're sure to find thousands of answers about different contracts, cities and the pros and cons of each.

If you're willing to pay extra money, you can certainly get a certificate (TEFL, TESOL, etc.) that will qualify you to teach in certain countries. For example, I gave serious consideration to teaching in Prague before I came to Korea but was hesitant to pay for the training when it wasn't necessary in different locations.

Just because you don't need experience in Korea doesn't mean the jobs are untrustworthy. Of course, there are schools and academies that treat their employees badly, pay late or fire teachers near the end of their contract. Horror stories exist! I find you can easily avoid these situations by talking to current teachers at your prospective school. Ask them questions about their boss, hours, students, apartment, anything you can think of. It's better to ask too much than too little so you know exactly what you're getting into when you sign a contract.

As far as Korea is concerned, you can teach in either a private academy (hagwon) or a public school. Each has its own positives and negatives.

Hagwon

• A little higher pay
• Later working hours (usually around 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm)
• Smaller classes
• Less vacation
• Schools can sometimes take advantage of teachers

Public School

• Lower pay
• Early mornings (usually start around 8:00 am)
• More students
• Teaching degree or experience is sometimes preferred
• MUCH more vacation time
• Contracts are better (less chance of "shady" activity)

Regardless of which job you choose, you'll receive free round-trip airfare and free rent among other perks.

Still not sure which is best for you? Contact a recruiter. Again, my best advice is to Google some combination of "recruiter to teach English in Korea" and you're sure to find one that is suitable for you. They'll assist you with finding a job, setting up an interview and getting a visa.

Beware: Recruiters make money for getting teachers into Korea and into schools, which means they may not always have your best interest in mind. They may whitewash a contract or make a school seem better than it really is. Make sure you talk to current employees before you sign anything!

Once you find a recruiter and a school, it's time to start your visa process. The steps and required documents are always changing and it seems as if it's becoming harder for foreigners to enter the country. Instead of writing it out for you, I'll direct you to a site that has all the information and a convenient step-by-step video for you.

The process is somewhat time-consuming and at times inconvenient. Stay organized and when possible, try to complete several steps on one trip (ie. get all your documents apostille sealed at the same time).

Once you've sent your documents off, completed your interviews and received your visa, you're ready to go! Always keep an open mind and be prepared to face the inevitable, overwhelming feeling of homesickness and living in a new (sometimes very different) culture. More importantly, prepare for an amazing and life-changing experience!

Tokyo On The Cheap

You've heard the rumors. What are the most expensive cities in the world? Paris, London, Tokyo. Well, the rumors are true.

But just because certain cities charge more for a cup of coffee doesn't mean you can't be frugal when traveling there. Despite its high prices, Tokyo has so much to offer and surprisingly, you can do most of it for free.

One of the best services I can recommend is Tokyo Free Guide, which is exactly as the name indicates. A tour guide will meet you at an attraction of your choice for free. You only pay for their cost of transportation and any entrance fees. Fair warning: book well in advance.

If you're going to be in Tokyo on a Sunday, be sure to check out Yoyogi Park. Located near Shinjuku, it is an absolute (free) must-see. Every Sunday, weather permitting, men and women come out and the park turns into, what I can best describe as, a scene from the movie "Crybaby." You have the greasers and the squares, dressed up and hair done, smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, dancing and singing for hours at a time. It was truly entertaining to watch the scene and quite enjoyable, since everyone genuinely enjoys doing this.

If you'd like to go, you can head there by taking the JR Yamanote line to Harajuku station, Omotesando exit (the park is located a few steps from here) or the Chiyoda line to Yoyogi-Koen, exit 4.

Since you're in the area, you can also walk around Harajuku for the chance to see some of the elaborate costumes, make-up and hair. I've heard that it's best to do this on Sunday, as well, since everyone is out of school. Make sure you walk down Takeshita Street, where all the girls go shopping. It's crowded and overwhelming, but worthwhile.

The Meiji Shrine, also located steps from Yoyogi Park, provides a serene (free of charge) getaway from the concrete jungle you might find yourself caught in.

If you're an early bird, take time to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market, located on the Hibiya line, Tsukiji exit 1. I don't know much about the market, but I have heard stories of the insane atmosphere during the buying and selling that happens daily. There is a visitors passage that tourists must stay in and the auction is finished by 6:30 am. It's best to arrive around 4:00 am to watch the organized chaos. And if you're jetlagged, what better way to spend your restless morning?

If you're into gadgets and gizmos, make sure to visit the Sony Showroom. Open every day from 11-7 pm, it's a free tour of the latest technology available on the market today. The easiest way to get here is to arrive on the Ginza line, exit B9, where you can access the store straight from underground. Browse 3D cameras, entertainment systems and computers that cost more than my apartment.

If you want to explore shops and markets, I recommend Asakusa. We were fortunate enough to stay in this wonderful neighborhood and explore its charming alleys almost every night. It is said that this part of Tokyo is less modern and more traditional. It is located near the river, a beautiful temple, the unfinished Sky Tree and the ridiculous "Golden Turd." It's certainly worth your trip there.

For a free view of the incredible Tokyo skyline, head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office buildings. Open from 9:30 - 5:30 and located on the Oedo line, Roppongi station, you really can't beat an opportunity to see this marvel from above and at no cost.

If you're looking to see Tokyo in all of her chaotic glory, go to Shibuya on the JR Yamanote line, Hachiko exit. Here, you will find the infamous Shibuya Crossing, a 5-point intersection that swells with people every time the light changes color. For a free overhead view of it all, go to Starbucks (but keep your camera out of sight!)

You can also go to Shinjuku station, the busiest station in the world, around rush hour. I would avoid taking the subway at this time, but it was certainly interesting to see the white-shirts-black-pants combination that flood the street at this time.

For a modern tour of Tokyo, ride along the Yurikomome Line, a brand new transit line that is a bit more expensive than the rest. However, this takes you along the delightful Rainbow Bridge and onto (I believe) one of the manmade islands. I enjoyed walking around this area and admiring the modern, new-age buildings. Stay until nightfall for a beautiful view of the skyline against the bay.

Some of my favorite moments in Tokyo came from simply walking around different neighborhoods, people watching and making friends with strangers. Despite the cost of getting there, it costs you nothing to get lost, which often makes for the best stories and memories. Some of my favorite destinations within Tokyo included Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Hibiya, Roppongi and Asakusa.

There are other ways to save money besides visiting free attractions. Stay in budget hostels, share meals if you're traveling with a partner and always avoid taking taxis. The subway in Tokyo is very efficient and will take you to virtually any point within the city. Although somewhat overwhelming and complicated to understand at first, it gets easier with time. Study the map and have a good idea where you're going. If you're confused, there is always someone working that will be able to assist you.

Tokyo is a truly delightful city. Although I understand how someone could easily spend thousands in only a few days, this destination can certainly be explored on a backpacker's budget.

Calm Amongst the Chaos in Shanghai

Have you ever had real moments of clarity? Everything is going wrong; the toast is burnt, your pantyhose have a run in them and you're already late. Then you hear a certain song or someone sends you a text saying "I love you" and suddenly the problems become mini road-bumps in an otherwise fantastic day.

I will often find myself in these situations while traveling. The waiter was rude, I was overcharged or the hostel is a mess. I have to step back and remember the beauty of the journey I'm on, the city I'm so fortunate to discover and the wonderful people waiting to share their stories with me.

My moment of clarity in Shanghai was much needed and one of the most rewarding during my travels thus far.

In May of this year, a few friends and I decided to go to China. After the nightmare of applying, paying and finally receiving a visa, I was somewhat dismayed. Doing an embarrassingly small amount of research on what to do in the city and realizing it too late was another entirely frustrating situation.

On our last day in Shanghai we wanted to visit a water village on the outskirts of the city. It was one of the few things we found online, though we didn't know much about it, how to get there, or how to spell, pronounce or act out the name of this mystery location. After an unsuccessful trip to the bus station and what seemed an entire day wasted, my friend and I decided we would try to go to a water village that was much closer. It was smaller and more touristy, yes, but what other option did we have?

We headed for Qi Bao and after a little more confusion we found our way inside. We strolled through the crowded streets, took pictures of the canals and browsed through a few shops. We finally came upon a small cafe with a cute pink mail box and decided to stop for a coffee.

I can only describe the experience as clarity in a cup. We saw several postcards but didn't think much of it, so I picked up a few to send to friends from home and ordered a coffee. When I sat down at a small booth, a young woman studying next to me took the time to introduce herself and we chatted for a while. She told us that the cafe was somewhat famous for its postcards. You choose a postcard and you write it to your future self, then the two women who own the cafe will send it to you whenever you like, whether it's in one year or up to ten.

What a simple yet amazing concept. We didn't hesitate to buy two more postcards to send to our future selves; I will receive mine in two years, my friend in one. It was so therapeutic to write down what I was thinking, how I was feeling, and how fortunate I was to be in Shanghai at that time, despite the frustrations, as miniscule as they were.

From that moment on, our trip changed. We were more optimistic and had a renewed spring in our step. It was, quite literally, what we needed to remind us that although we may not always know what we're doing in a new and foreign place, we're lucky to be there with strangers who will become good friends and good friends who will become like family.

If you're ever in Shanghai and would like to check out this unique cafe yourself, take the subway to Qi Bao on the light blue line #9. It's a small village once you go inside but save yourself some time and ask for help if you can't find the entrance. Walk around the alleys and you'll find the pink mail box. It's easy to overlook since it's quite small, but a treasure worth searching for. The cafe, named Postcard Coffee, is owned by two young women who make an incredible iced latte. Take time out from the chaos of Shanghai and clear your mind on a 4x6 piece of paper. You might discover your own cup of clarity.