My progress so far......

 **Warning - If you are not actually applying to Korea, this post may be a little boring, as it is all the document/paperwork details** - so read at your own peril...... if you fall asleep, I'm sorry! haha!


So first things first... When I decided that I wanted to apply to the EPIK program I decided that I wanted to use a recruiter. This meant that I would have someone to give me feedback about my application and ask any questions that I might have along the way. After doing some research into the different recruiters, I liked the look of Korvia. I sent off my contact details and a CV and awaited contact.

I then had a Skype 'interview' - more a friendly chat to see what I knew about Korea and to find out a bit about me - with Serena at Korvia. After the interview, she advised me that she would be happy to help me and we could start the process. This was in January, and I couldn't apply to EPIK until April 1st. So the waiting game began.

In order to apply to EPIK I needed

- 2 recommendation letters
- EPIK Application form

Now this might not sound to difficult, but with there were so many rules about how the recommendation letters were set out, and what they had to include. It's one thing asking someone for a reference but never mind then giving them a list of rules! 'Shy bairnes get nowt' I guess! My recruiter suggested using my last job as a reference, but AuPairing did not count as an actual job so I could not use this job, then the company I worked for the year before that couldn't provide a reference with as much detail as I needed.
I finally thought I was ready when I had two recommendation letters from teachers at my high school, however my recruiter was worried that both references were about me at a younger age.
I was having problems contacting my old university lecturers that would write a reference with as much detail as I needed. But finally, I got there!

The application itself was in depth and included an essay and a lesson plan, but at least this was down to me to complete and I wasn't depending on someone else (this is what causes me stress haha!), so with the help of my mum (Word on my computer wasn't working!!) the application was completed.

Serena, my recruiter, was very helpful and gave me tips and suggestions on my application for me to change. By the time that I had completed my application, and received my two recommendation letters that me and my recruiter felt were of good value it was April 13th!

So, although I had wanted to apply on April 1st, it was 12 days later, but Serena assured me that it was much better to make sure I had a strong application than applying on the very first day. However on Apil 10th, when I had everything ready EPIK decided that that they were only taking direct applicants and not applications from recruiters, so I had to say goodbye to Serena (and thanks for all her help!!) and apply by myself!!

April 19th - I received an email letting me know that I had passed the interview stage and I would be scheduled for an interview shortly!!



Documents that I need ready to send off after I have *fingers crossed* passed the interview
2 Hard copies of the application form - with picture attached
A notarised copy of my degree with apostile attached
Criminal reference check with apostile attached
Original sealed transcripts
Two letters of recommendation (hard copies with signature) - I have one of two
Copy of passport page - Need to email this to my mum (my PA through all of my application!!)
A photocopy of all the above
Copies of teaching certificate - Around 20 hours left to complete - but this can be taken with me to Korea, so not as much of a rush on this.

I have most of my documents ready to post, after my interview, as it is on a first come first serve basis so time really is of the essence!! Hopefully by the time I have my interview, it will all be ready to post off!!

A big thank you to my mum for the help in this, as it doesn't help me living in Switzerland, and having things posted home, with strong instruction not to open things that need to be left sealed haha! Then I come home, get everything notarised and sent off to be apostiled, then leave her to arrange everything for me.

But she gets rid of me for a full year, so I guess she has her motivation :D

So now I am just awaiting the email telling me when my interview is..... I will keep you posted!