FAQs Part 4

* I went to 2 different universities/have multiple degrees. From which one should I get the original diploma/degree certificate and 2 transcripts?
It is completely up to you from which university you would like to obtain your original diploma/degree certificate and transcripts. If you transferred while obtaining your bachelor's (or higher) degree, send the documents from the university at which you completed your degree. If you have a bachelor's and a higher degree, we would advise that you send the diploma and transcripts of the degree that has the most relevance to teaching EFL. If neither are relevant, then send whichever ones you'd like. You may want to consider which university is cheapest and fastest. Just remember-your diploma and transcripts must be of the same degree and from the same university!
* I'm a (your nationality here) citizen, but I'm currently residing in a foreign country. Do I have to return to my home country to get a visa?
While it'd be ideal and less paperwork for HandS Korea, you are not necessarily required to be in your home country in order to obtain your visa. Some visas can be obtained in Korea (i.e. F2 or F4 visa.) The E2 visa must be obtained outside of Korea unless you're going to renew it. If you are in a country that is not your country of citizenship, then you must sign a waiver to allow the Korean embassy in that country to do a check on your educational background. (HandS Korea will provide you with this form.) Once that check has been done, you will be able to get your visa in the country in which you are currently located. We tend to shy away from this option as it is quite a lengthy proces, but on rare occasions, we have made exceptions.

* Why so many emails, HSK?!?
...because we love you and always want to be with you in your inbox! Believe it or not, those pesky emails are meant to help you. The HSK team has worked hard to compile information that we think would be useful and practical for you to know while preparing to come to Korea. Even for those of you who are seasoned veterans of teaching English in Korea, the first few emails are aimed at helping you get to know who we are and to understand that we're people just like you! They eventually will stop, but if you don't want to receive them, you won't hurt our feelings. Just shoot us an email and let us know that you're not interested in receiving any more HSK emails and we'll take you off of our "list."

* I'm a vegetarian. Can I survive in Korea?
Some Koreans might be taken aback should you mention that you're a vegetarian. Food allergies and food lifestyles haven't quite yet caught on here. Fortunately, there are some options for you vegetarians out there. There are several vegetarian restaurants with Korean and other international menu options. Any Indian restaurant should have veggie options and even within the Korean cuisine, there's several choices for vegetarians. On the same note, vegans might find it a bit more daunting of a task to fulfill their vegan needs. While international supermarkets don't lack in Seoul, the quantity becomes less when you move outside of the Seoul metro area.

* I'm worried that 2.1 million to 2.4 million KRW won't be enough to survive and pay my bills both in Korea and back home.
You're not alone in this category. Many people try to bargain with schools to earn more than the general pay offerings. Their attempts are generally not met with success. While yes, 2.1 million KRW is nowadays approximately $1800 USD, we also ask you to remember that your apartment deposit and rent are paid for by your employer. Your income tax deduction is only 3.3% of your monthly gross salary. AND...Korea's not that expensive! (Especially when your rent is paid by someone other than yourself!) A one-way taxi ride across the city at normal fare period is less than 20,000 KRW. A one way bus/subway ride the same distance is 1,100 KRW (less than $1!!!) A hearty and filling meal at your local gimbap restaurant is 4,000-6,000 KRW maximum. Pair of jeans in a local shopping market is approximately 20,000 KRW. Things are affordable here and most teachers find themselves able to pay credit card bills, student loan bills, etc. and live comfortably!

A survey for expats in Korea

A well-known blogger, Stafford Lumsden (aka the Chosun Bimbo), has created a survey in conjunction with other Korea bloggers to gather some information together in order to get a better idea of how to serve the expat community in Korea.

If you'd like to participate and voice your questions/comments/concerns, please visit the link below!

Click here to proceed to the survey

A Korean apartment part 2

In an earlier post, you read about and saw pictures of an example of a Korean apartment. Here is another example of a Korean apartment in Seoul, a little larger in size and...with a balcony! :D
It's still a studio (meaning the bed/living room/dining room/kitchen are all one), but it's a lot more spacious then the first apartment you saw. This particular studio is about 14 pyong in size (about 500 square feet or 46 square meteres.)This is a Korean balcony. It isn't open air like a balcony that you might find in western countries. They are typically a bit smaller and equipped with a drain and faucet to hook up a washing machine. They're also quite convenient as they sometimes provide a good space to hang your laundry out to dry and much more!

Getting a custom-made suit in Korea

As an English teacher, you may or may not be required to wear formal, professional attire to work. Even if this is not the case, for all you men out there, you might be interested in getting a tailor made suit at an affordable price. There's several stores offering this service, but as a foreigner who doesn't speak Korean, you may be somewhat limited if you can't get a Korean to go with you as your interpretor.

In Itaewon in Seoul, there's a great spot called Hahn's suits. It's just at the entrance of Itaewon coming from the direction of Express Bus Terminal. (Right around the corner from McDonald's, walk straight out of Itaewon station, exit 4 until you come to the end of the street. The boutique is on your lefthand side.) Mr. Hahn comports himself with the utmost professionalism and makes the greatest effort to cater to your needs.

Hahn's Suits has got a wide variety of materials and textures to choose from along with multiple style selections. His English is impeccable, so any miscommunication about what you want is unlikely. He offers an initial consultation during which you let him know what you're looking for in color and style. He'll take your measurements and then about 1 week later, you can come back for a fitting and alterations. A week or so after the first fitting, Mr. Hahn invites you back to pick up the final product.The approximate cost for a 2 piece suit and 3 tailor made collared, button up shirts is about 450,000 KRW, which is well worth the quality and service that you receive at his store. Mr. Hahn also offers tailor-made items for females!!!

Cafes--Angelinus

You'll notice upon arrival that Korea is littered with coffee shops. You may even see a Starbucks on top of a Coffee Bean or 2 Ediyas within a one block distance of each other. It's true, Koreans love their coffee and cafes are hotspots to hang out with friends, meet a significant other, or just get some blogging in (one of my personal favorite past-times.) One cafe among many chains here in Korea is Angel-in-us...because coffee is the nectar of the heavens???

Pretty much anywhere you wander, you're likely to come across an Angel-in-us. They offer the standard espresso blended beverages and teas along with cafe treats such as muffins, cakes and other various pastries. When you step into one, you'll notice its cutesy interior and angel adorned decor.
One thing you may notice about Korean cafes in general, is their lack of house-brewed coffee. On the occasion that you do find a cafe that offers brewed coffees, the pickin's are usually slim. Sometimes, the Yirgacheffe, French and Italian blends can be found in small Korean cafes that also serve alcohol.

HSK Restaurant Review--Butterfingers Pancakes

Fiending for some American breakfast? Miss your mom's homemade buttermilk pancakes, sausage links and hashbrowns? Tired of kimchi and rice with soup for breakfast? You have options!!! There's more and more breakfast spots popping up in Seoul that offer an American dining experience. One partciularly well-known morning meal spot is called Butterfingers Pancakes.Butterfingers has 2 locations in Seoul. One near Apgujeong and the other near Gangnam stations. They boast a diner-style menu ranging from breakfast platters to stews/soups and salads. I personally find the prices too high for the quality of food, but hey, it's a commodity and commodities can sometimes come at a price. Despite the somewhat expensive prices, it's still a good place to go get your grub on. Some things to try : pecan and cinnamon pancakes, apple compote. Some things not to try : beef stew, macaroni and cheese.Beef stew--delicious exterior, not so delicious when it's in the interior. The beef was a bit dry and chewy and the stew's broth was lacking in saltiness.

Mac and cheese was a bit bland and the macaroni elbows were very overcooked, which resulted in a mushy consistency.

In any case, here's some pictures of one of several dining experiences at Butterfingers Pancakes, Gangnam branch.Nice interior--clean, bright, open, simple.

A vast menu with lots of options. A front AND a back!!!

Blueberry pancakes with apple compote. YUM!

A breakfast platter with the works for only about 11,000 KRW.

Mexi-palooza!

Yesterday afternoon, HandS Korea and friends ventured just a few blocks away from the HSK office to partake in a Mexican celebration called Mexi-palooza. The event was put on by the restaurant chain, Tomatillo, to promote the opening of their new location at the Gangnam Finance Center near Yeoksam station (green line 2, exit 2).

Tomatillo has accumulated a rather large following since the opening of their first location near Jongak station (blue line 1, exit 6). They offer a Mexican menu consisting of burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, etc. using fresh ingredients and a healthier alternative to the menus at other Mexican restaurants in Seoul. Check out their menu online!

Currently, there is one other location, found in the food court of the Hyundai Department store at COEX (Samsung station green line 2).

We were lucky to have a great, sunny day with very little relative humidity and not too much wind. The event was outdoors in the courtyard of the Gangnam Finance Center and the turnout in the earlier part of the day was excellent. Everyone was able to profit from live jazz and mariachi music. Enjoy the pictures of our day of fun in the sun!

HSK Testimonial #1!!!

Yay for props! Current HSK recruit, Todd, has sent us an email to voice some praise. Any comments/questions/concerns/suggestions are always welcome here at HandS Korea because we are always searching for ways to make our work here more efficient and helpful to potential teachers interested in teaching in South Korea. See the testimonial below (we're so proud and delighted that a candidate has offered such props, so of course we had to post it!) Todd has also so graciously offered his email address, so if you would like to get in contact with him regarding his experience, see the email address below! Thanks, Todd!

To all the staff at HandS Korea,

Thank you so much for your help with this process. I was at first unsure whether to go through a service like yours or try to find a school on my own, but I am glad I contacted you first. You made the process very easy from the step-by-step instructions, putting me in contact with a school, to finally arranging the transportation. I would gladly refer others to at least contact you if they are even at least interested in pursuing teaching English in South Korea. Thanks again for all your help.

Todd toddcotrell06@gmail.com

HSK outing announcement...

fMexican food is somehwhat of a rarity here in Korea. However, there are a few restaurants offering Tex-Mex cuisine throughout Seoul. One burrito chain called Tomatillo is opening a restaurant in a new location at Yeoksam station in the food court of the Gangnam Finance Center. They're having a celebration with live music, cheap Mexican drinks and food!

The event is Mexi-palooza on Saturday August 22nd from 12 PM to 8 PM. Come and join in the celebration with HandS Korea for an afternoon in the sun with good beverages and eats! Hope to see you all there!

Seoul Grand Park Zoo

As you may have seen in an earlier post, HandS Korea just recently organized a small get together offered to its teachers and any of their friends...the more the merrier! Rebecca and a couple of her friends plus a couple of HSK recruits were able to make the trek to Gwacheon and enjoy a steaming, but fun day at the zoo! Hopefully, for the upcoming HSK events, we'll have more and more participants *hint hint*! :D For directions, see the entry on the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The same directions apply!