The Future Freaks Me Out

Hello there everyone. I just wanted to drop in and let you know what's been developing in my life here in Korea. I have a mere 3 weeks left at my kindergarten and this will be the last contracted teaching position I ever have if I can help it. I've probably said it before, but I really can't imagine what situation would cause me to sign another contract teaching kids. I don't see myself teaching much at all anymore, in fact. I'll have to do some part-time teaching of course, because it's really the best way to earn good money in this country.

Let me go back. Something recently changed about the immigration policy for foreigners who want to stay here. Well, I think it was the beginning of last year, but I just found out about it. The whole idea was to not teach anymore - this prompted the plan to move to Australia for school, because I knew I couldn't do something I loved here on an E2 visa. But, now, there's a new points system through which I can earn an F2-S (aka F2-7) visa! (The F2 is usually reserved for foreigners who marry Korean citizens.)

Based on a few criteria, like my age, income, academic credentials, work history, and most importantly: Korean language skills. This is why I've chosen to stay in Korea. That's right. Indefinitely. Tell me you didn't see this coming... Ha ha, well anyway, that's the plan. So in order for me to make this visa happen, I must first study Korean much more seriously and intensely. So I'm applying to Pusan National University's Korean Language Program which will begin my instruction in December. I'll likely have to start at level 2 but at least I know my alphabet and can communicate on a basic level.

 I think I'll need a t-shirt like this, so I can practice Korean more. Everyone wants to practice their English with me, can't imagine why!

 

University streets in the daylight

...and after dark!

Unfortunately, I'll probably need to live in a teensy little closet and share at least a kitchen, maybe a bathroom. eek.




The final point is that with an F2 visa I can get all sorts of jobs in Korea that don't entail teaching children for 30+ hours a week. I'll do a bunch of voice recording, part-time editing, maybe teach adults for a few classes a week to afford a proper apartment, while pursuing anything I want. Sell my photography, work as a cook somewhere I love, maybe even work in the exchange bank here (what with all my experience at Wells Fargo) if I get fluent enough. It's a big dream but what makes me happy is staying here in Korea. I think it may seem like the easy way out, to just stay here, but it's certainly not going to be. I'll need to be really serious about studying so I don't cost myself too much in tuition fees. That's the only catch, is that I'll be passing certain levels every 10 weeks, but I need to be self-motivated to study as hard as I can in order to get the score on the TOPIK that I need for the visa.
Here's hopin.