I am almost there!

About one month is how much time I have until I leave for Korea.How do I feel about that? Well, at this moment I am a little overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, and of course excited. This whole process of getting ready to go teach has not been an easy one but again I didn't think it would be because how would I learn and trust if it was? I guess you can say that it all started last year in January of 2011. While I was still going to school I applied to teach English in Japan. I went through the whole process of submitting my application, getting a phone interview, and an in person interview with the hiring committee. The school flew me to Chicago one week after my graduation for an interview. Soon after the interview, I received a call from the hiring director telling me that I would be a good fit for their school and a good addition to their staff. We were going to start working on the visa process in October but they were still waiting on some information so I waited to hear back from them. December rolled around and I was still waiting for information about the process. I was finally e-mailed at the end of December and told that there were no longer positions available but to keep in contact with them and they will let me know if there are any open positions for the next school year. When I received that information I was devastated. I was upset because they were letting me wait and believe that I got the job and I was depressed because I was relying on that job and was stuck in a job position that was not exactly where I wanted to be. In April of this year I started to look into teaching overseas again. When I found Canadian Connections I did not apply right away because I was scared. I did not want to rush into anything and end up in the same position as last year. I finally applied in May and had my interview within the same week and got the job the next week. The hiring process was quick and kind of unexpected (meaning my family and maybe even me too did not actually believe that I would be teaching overseas within a few months). Once I got hired, I received my acceptance package and ever since then I have been rushing and trying to get everything done. I did not realize how much you had to do to teach overseas. The whole process is overwhelming and because you are working in another country everything has to be done a certain way and it must be correct. I am still currently working on my paperwork and am feeling stressed because I am already behind on my deadline to send things in (and if you know me I am kind of a perfectionist so being late is never an option). Thankfully I am not alone and am going through an organization that is very helpful, patient, and friendly. I am so happy with the way Canadian Connections has been working with me so far and recommend anyone who is thinking about teaching overseas to look into teaching through them. I am also very blessed to have family and friends who are encouraging, loving and supportive. It gives me comfort to know that I have a support group here in the states, for when I am feeling overwhelmed, homesick, or sad that you all will always have my back!