I feel as if plans are finally getting rolling and settled. I "graduate" in three weeks, although I will still have to take two classes after that. By June 10th I will have officially finished my undergrad career. As to be expected, I am both extremely excited and overwhelmingly petrified at times, but even the paralyzing, can't-breathe petrification is an amazing feeling, because it means that anything can happen. I have the whole world open to me. Of course, it also means that whether or not I fall flat on my face is up to me (which could explain the feelings of panic).
On another note, I have officially been placed, although I will not give the exact location at this place and time. I have heard both good and bad about the town/city. Once I get there and can judge the situation and setting, I will decide whether or not I will give the location. My passport appointment is finally scheduled for Monday and hopefully I will have one more step down. It took a couple weeks longer than expected to get my birth certificate as Texas ended up losing it from the printer to the desk of the person in charge. Aren't grand, bureaucratic offices great? Of course, I realize that Russia government/paperwork will be far worse, so I guess I will count this as practice. Anyways, other than that, there is not much to tell. So, Good day my faithful readers.
---Your hopefully, soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
Friday, April 23, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
To Go or Not to Go ???
Ok, so today I began doing what I should have done to begin with (or maybe not). I searched through various TEFL blogs and forums looking for helpful hints on living overseas and teaching. Most of the advice given had one theme - stay away from Russia.
1. The "McLanguage" schools are bad.
2. The national schools are bad.
3. The government is bad and changes VISA requirements and laws from month to month.
4. No one follows through with payment, benefits or any other service.
5. I can be kicked out at anytime with little notice or funds.
Naturally, I became worried, then panicked. I mean, I will be spending 10 months there away from all of my family and friends. While I am not expecting to make it rich or even to gain a healthy income, I would like the promised, regular pay. The promised company support in handling both teaching and the government is a vital reason why I went with this company. After spending the next couple of hours rifling through blogs, forums, reviews and more I quickly became unsure as to whether or not this would be the right opportunity. A very helpful site that is seemingly a "must" for TEFL/TESL teachers is Dave's ESL Cafe (http://www.eslcafe.com/).
I supplemented the material I found through the above sites with information from the company's website and with the facebook group. I may be naive, but I will admit that the facebook group has done much to alleviate my concerns. It makes a big difference to actually see the faces and names of people who will be in the same boat I may or may not be in.
As a result of everything, I have come to the conclusion that, while I do not know what will happen, I need to take this chance. It may be a leap of faith to accept this position, but most worthwhile things in life are gigantic leaps across giant chasms of riskiness. I will go to Russia with a positive attitude and will take the bad along with the good. Some things may be out of my control, but to go or not to go is my choice.
Have you been to Russia? Have you taught overseas? I would be interested in your comments.
---Your hopefully, soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
1. The "McLanguage" schools are bad.
2. The national schools are bad.
3. The government is bad and changes VISA requirements and laws from month to month.
4. No one follows through with payment, benefits or any other service.
5. I can be kicked out at anytime with little notice or funds.
Naturally, I became worried, then panicked. I mean, I will be spending 10 months there away from all of my family and friends. While I am not expecting to make it rich or even to gain a healthy income, I would like the promised, regular pay. The promised company support in handling both teaching and the government is a vital reason why I went with this company. After spending the next couple of hours rifling through blogs, forums, reviews and more I quickly became unsure as to whether or not this would be the right opportunity. A very helpful site that is seemingly a "must" for TEFL/TESL teachers is Dave's ESL Cafe (http://www.eslcafe.com/).
I supplemented the material I found through the above sites with information from the company's website and with the facebook group. I may be naive, but I will admit that the facebook group has done much to alleviate my concerns. It makes a big difference to actually see the faces and names of people who will be in the same boat I may or may not be in.
As a result of everything, I have come to the conclusion that, while I do not know what will happen, I need to take this chance. It may be a leap of faith to accept this position, but most worthwhile things in life are gigantic leaps across giant chasms of riskiness. I will go to Russia with a positive attitude and will take the bad along with the good. Some things may be out of my control, but to go or not to go is my choice.
Have you been to Russia? Have you taught overseas? I would be interested in your comments.
---Your hopefully, soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Why Russia? I'm Glad You Asked.
Since I was in elementary school, all I ever wanted to do was travel. Actually, that wasn't everything I wanted to do. I also wanted to be a lawyer, a senator, a global journalist, an artist, a singer, a fashion designer, a best-selling author and a marine biologist, a research psychologist, and an archeologist. (Quite a list, I know.) However, one of the common threads throughout these fabulous career opportunities is travel. I was determined that whatever occupation I chose would keep me on the road or in the air.
Speed forward through time and I still want nothing more than to travel. Through some brain seizure or some masochistic urge within, I decided on the frustrating and gratifying major of History: International Studies (with a minor in English, of course!). Speed forward again and through one other moment of masochistic desires (or intense restlessness.) I decide to graduate a year early. I am a college sophomore/junior who just decided that she only had one more year left before she entered into the "real world." Scary thought. So, I surfed and surfed the internet for a type of job that would take me overseas. I searched resorts, schools, internships, archeology, etc.
The frustrating thing about the "real world" is that most jobs of significance, money and adventure require experience and or more money. I have neither. So, I switch to looking for PAYING internships overseas. If you ever want to experience the feeling of running into a wall without doing damage to the wall, look for PAYING internships in History or English. It doesn't feel pleasant. But then...I clicked on a link...and there it was.
A paying internship in RUSSIA!! Teaching English as a Second Language. No experience necessary. AND... a TEFL Certification given at the end of the program (which is required to teach and intern in most Western European countries). It was perfect. Not only could I go to Russia, but the certification could open up doors both in the US and abroad. But wait...there is MORE!
Throughout this same semester, I had been taking both Russian History AND a Dostoevsky class. And I had found my passion. Having always been slightly attracted to the morbid and strange, Russia's dark history and their cultural folk traditions and manners fascinated me. The psychological depth of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy drew me in and, weird as it is, Stalin fascinated me. And now, I may actually have a chance for a payed internship in Russia, homeland of the Russian Ballet, Tchaikovsky and the Nut Cracker, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy (Stalin was born in Georgia). Russia, home to some of the most splendiferous and opulent palaces, could be my home for a whole year. So, I applied. And I have been accepted. And...
IT'S RUSSIA!!!!
Sincerely,
---Your hopefully soon-to-be Russian traveler---
Speed forward through time and I still want nothing more than to travel. Through some brain seizure or some masochistic urge within, I decided on the frustrating and gratifying major of History: International Studies (with a minor in English, of course!). Speed forward again and through one other moment of masochistic desires (or intense restlessness.) I decide to graduate a year early. I am a college sophomore/junior who just decided that she only had one more year left before she entered into the "real world." Scary thought. So, I surfed and surfed the internet for a type of job that would take me overseas. I searched resorts, schools, internships, archeology, etc.
The frustrating thing about the "real world" is that most jobs of significance, money and adventure require experience and or more money. I have neither. So, I switch to looking for PAYING internships overseas. If you ever want to experience the feeling of running into a wall without doing damage to the wall, look for PAYING internships in History or English. It doesn't feel pleasant. But then...I clicked on a link...and there it was.
A paying internship in RUSSIA!! Teaching English as a Second Language. No experience necessary. AND... a TEFL Certification given at the end of the program (which is required to teach and intern in most Western European countries). It was perfect. Not only could I go to Russia, but the certification could open up doors both in the US and abroad. But wait...there is MORE!
Throughout this same semester, I had been taking both Russian History AND a Dostoevsky class. And I had found my passion. Having always been slightly attracted to the morbid and strange, Russia's dark history and their cultural folk traditions and manners fascinated me. The psychological depth of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy drew me in and, weird as it is, Stalin fascinated me. And now, I may actually have a chance for a payed internship in Russia, homeland of the Russian Ballet, Tchaikovsky and the Nut Cracker, Dostoevsky and Tolstoy (Stalin was born in Georgia). Russia, home to some of the most splendiferous and opulent palaces, could be my home for a whole year. So, I applied. And I have been accepted. And...
IT'S RUSSIA!!!!
Sincerely,
---Your hopefully soon-to-be Russian traveler---
Co-Signer Applicants Now Accepted
So...for the latest update. I think I have found a way to get my diploma in time for the VISA process. Basically, instead of taking two 16 wk online classes, I will take two 4 wk classes on campus at the beginning of summer. Actually, one would be at Liberty University (my current school) and the other would be at the Central Virginia Community College. However, it would not be my life if this wonderful solution did not have a snag. So, for the snag.
In order to take these two classes, I need to take out two loans (one for each school). And due to the fact that I am a full-time student working for minimum wage when I can, making less than $12,000/year, I need a cosigner. Unfortunately, due to a large amount of medical bills, previous school loans for two children and other bills, my parents no longer qualify to cosign. Which, for right now, puts me back at square one. All-in-all, I guess square one is better than no square, but it sure is frustrating.
As for other news, I am currently waiting for a copy of my birth certificate to arrive so that I can apply for my passport.
Would anyone like to volunteer as cosigner? I'm not picky. Really. Seriously.
As usual, advice and comments are welcome.
---Hopefully your soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
In order to take these two classes, I need to take out two loans (one for each school). And due to the fact that I am a full-time student working for minimum wage when I can, making less than $12,000/year, I need a cosigner. Unfortunately, due to a large amount of medical bills, previous school loans for two children and other bills, my parents no longer qualify to cosign. Which, for right now, puts me back at square one. All-in-all, I guess square one is better than no square, but it sure is frustrating.
As for other news, I am currently waiting for a copy of my birth certificate to arrive so that I can apply for my passport.
Would anyone like to volunteer as cosigner? I'm not picky. Really. Seriously.
As usual, advice and comments are welcome.
---Hopefully your soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Travel Paper Anxieties
SO, I am four months away from my sojourn to Russia and am currently trying to get my papers going...so far, to no avail. Let me begin by saying that this is my first trip to any country other than the Mexican border. I have never needed to deal with gaining passports or VISAS and am learning everything as I go along.
Russia recently changed its foreign workers' policy and now requires a degree from every foreign worker. In order to comply with Russian regulations, my employing agency is requiring an apostilled diploma before they begin the VISA process. I am a current senior at Liberty University and will be graduating in May. However, in addition I will be taking two final classes this summer and will not be receiving my diploma until six weeks after my final class. So technically, by the time I receive my diploma and begin the VISA process I should already be packed and ready for Russia. I asked the company and am hoping that they will satisfy the degree check by working with my university transcripts, etc.
Now, for the passport. The only thing I knew about getting a passport (at least until yesterday and this morning) was that they could be obtained at the Post Office. In order to rectify this, I went searching online. I ended up at a couple of websites, one being the government website with the needed forms. I filled out the DS-11 form and printed it out as instructed. I also looked online to find the nearest passport location that would take photos. I found one and was all set to get everything settled this morning. When I arrived I was greeted by a sign that said passports were by appointments only.
I may be new to this thing, but it seems that if all the postmasters have to do is take the already-completed paperwork and take two quick pictures, then they should be able to squeeze one person in -- especially if the post office is completely empty! To top of my frustration, they said they are booked for the next month. REALLY?!?
In addition to all of this, I just found out my parents cannot find my birth certificate which is needed to obtain my passport. It will take approx. 15 days plus mail time for me to get it.
I realize that I am probably overreacting, but all I have wanted to do since I was like 12 is travel. Whatever occupation I imagined myself doing, I was traveling. To think that anything could mess up my dream when I am so close is really disheartening.
What do you think? Any tips or suggestions?
---Your Soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
Russia recently changed its foreign workers' policy and now requires a degree from every foreign worker. In order to comply with Russian regulations, my employing agency is requiring an apostilled diploma before they begin the VISA process. I am a current senior at Liberty University and will be graduating in May. However, in addition I will be taking two final classes this summer and will not be receiving my diploma until six weeks after my final class. So technically, by the time I receive my diploma and begin the VISA process I should already be packed and ready for Russia. I asked the company and am hoping that they will satisfy the degree check by working with my university transcripts, etc.
Now, for the passport. The only thing I knew about getting a passport (at least until yesterday and this morning) was that they could be obtained at the Post Office. In order to rectify this, I went searching online. I ended up at a couple of websites, one being the government website with the needed forms. I filled out the DS-11 form and printed it out as instructed. I also looked online to find the nearest passport location that would take photos. I found one and was all set to get everything settled this morning. When I arrived I was greeted by a sign that said passports were by appointments only.
I may be new to this thing, but it seems that if all the postmasters have to do is take the already-completed paperwork and take two quick pictures, then they should be able to squeeze one person in -- especially if the post office is completely empty! To top of my frustration, they said they are booked for the next month. REALLY?!?
In addition to all of this, I just found out my parents cannot find my birth certificate which is needed to obtain my passport. It will take approx. 15 days plus mail time for me to get it.
I realize that I am probably overreacting, but all I have wanted to do since I was like 12 is travel. Whatever occupation I imagined myself doing, I was traveling. To think that anything could mess up my dream when I am so close is really disheartening.
What do you think? Any tips or suggestions?
---Your Soon-to-be Russian Traveler---
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)