Things that I'll miss about Switzerland

As excited as I am about moving to Korea, I am starting to realise that very soon my year in Switzerland will be over. Wow. Time goes fast.
It seems only two minutes ago that I was enjoying shocking everyone by randomly dropping in 'Oh, and I'm moving to Switzerland' into the conversation.
Whilst time has gone fast, it also feels that I have been here a long time, and will REALLY miss this place!!

So here's a list of things off the top of my head that I will miss..... I'm sure I will forget somethings, but I can always do a part 2 if needed.......

1) THE KIDS
I guess this probably goes without saying. But OMG, it's going to be so difficult saying goodbye. It feels weird to feel this attached to two children that I hadn't even met last year. But after living together and pretty much doing everything with them, it's going to be strange to be suddenly free from 'motherhood'. I always knew that I would like the kids, but I never thought I would get this attached! But I plan on skyping, visiting sometime next year and sending them photos and letters.

2) Getting around on a kids scooter
So it's pretty normal here for people to travel around on what I was typically call a 'childrens scooter'. Think Hansel in Zoolander. I've seen Business men, in suits, casually scooting around. I encourage the kids to take them to school so that I can ride them back. It helps that Lausanne is so hilly, and most of the time you're not even doing any leg work. Perfect.

3) Being average sized
I have always taken in for granted that I can walk into a shop, and it pretty much be guaranteed that I will be able to buy clothing in my size. Unless there's a crazy Topshop sale on and all the popular sizes are gone, and you're left with either a size 4 or 16. But this may not be the case in Korea. The average size of women in Korea is a UK 6, and anyone bigger than a size 10 may find it difficult to buy clothes in regular stores.
I have read blogs of English/Americans entering a shop and being greeted with 'No, No Big Size here'.
So Plan 1 - Get back on Jillian Michaels '30 Day Shred' and then 'Ripped in 30' and lose a few inches
Plan 2 - Get used to being a fatty, and shopping in fat girl shops!

4) Swiss chocolate
This could be one of the reasons that I end up shopping in 'Fat girl shops' in Korea. But seriously, when I am surrounded by all this amazing chocolate, what is a girl to do! Ovalmatine, Lint, Coops own brand.... I am going to miss them ALL. Packages of chocolate will be very much appreciated!!

 

5) The views from 'my' house

I will be living in an apartment block, and my view will more than likely be of other apartment blocks. As I have talked about in other posts, Korea has some wonderful views, but I doubt I will be seeing them from my window. So, I will miss waking up, looking out of the window and seeing the lake and the mountains. I'm guessing I won't have a balcony that I can sunbathe on either haha but this house isn't mine and I would be leaving the house even if I wasn't going to Korea.

6) My friends <3
Now my friends may be at the bottom of my list, but they are by no means the least important. I am actually a bit shocked at the amount of people that I am going to genuinely miss when I leave here. Some will be leaving when I leave, some will be staying, and some have already gone. But I have met so many different people that have really been there for me, and helped to keep me sane!
Moving to a new country can really make you think about things and take a deep look at your friendships and I am lucky that I found such an 'awesome' group of people to spend my time in Switzerland with.
LOVE YOU GUYS. MEET UP IN BUZZ IN A FEW YEARS?!?!

Why Korea...... Part 3

11) McDonalds Delivery

You want a McDonalds, you don't want to leave the house. 'Oh, if only McDonalds delivered'......
In Korea they DO!!
Do I need to say any more?! Oh, maybe I will add that Korean McDonalds does not break your bank - in contrast to Swiss McDonalds (I should probably add that McDonalds in Switzerland probably only 'breaks the bank' if you are living on an AuPairs salary! :D )

12) The 14th of the month

Celebrate Black Day on April 14th

So, what holidays spring to mind about the 14th...... Valentines day and ermmmm. Well what do you do on the other months?!
Korea has this sorted, from Diary day (January) to hug day (December)
February 14th: Valentine’s Day - Generally the girls give gifts to boys on this date, even to their friends.
March 14th: White Day - Here the boys give girls presents.
April 14th: Black Day - Didn't receive anything on white day? Go out with other unloved people and eat black noodles.....
May 14th: Yellow Day/Rose Day - Coupled up? Wear yellow and exchange roses. Single? Eat some curry.
June 14th: Kiss Day - Kisssy Kisssy time
July 14th: Silver Day
August 14th: Green Day - Coupled up? Hike. Single? Drink Soju out of green bottles.
September 14th: Photo Day/Music Day
October 14th: Wine Day
November 14th: Movie Day         
 Read more detail here 

 13) Party Motels

A motel where I can tan? Use a hot tub? Party? Have an indoor bbq?! Check out this link ..... you won't regret it

14) A chance to glimpse into the future - and then realise it's not that far away!

Changing your wallpaper by using a sweeping motion with your hands...... Ride in a car that's driving itself........ Virtually try on clothes after having your body scanned.

And then learn about how these technologies are already being used, or how they will be in the very near future.

Read more here

15) Daedun Mountain Suspension Bridge..... and everywhere else on THIS list

Since coming to Switzerland, I have fallen in love with amazing views and nature in general. Major geek. I love looking around and just thinking 'Wow'. And looking at this list, I will have plenty of views to keep me entertained. I plan on seeing as many of these as possible.... if not them all, during my time in Korea.

And now for the Benefits.....

In my last post  I outlined the costs of getting to Korea, so let's now talk about the benefits.....

Settlement Allowance - 300,000 KRW/ £163
A one time payment within the first month to help with any bits and bobs needed

 Entrance Allowance - 1,300,000 KRW/ £709
This will be paid within the first months wages. This money will be used to pay back the money I borrowed for my flights. (Do EasyJet not fly to South Korea?!)

EPIK Orientation
For the first two weeks that I am in South Korea, I will not be teaching or living in my apartment. Here all the new teachers will be learning about Korean lifestyle and teaching in Korea. We are not paid for our time at Orientation however food and lodging is all included. Here I'll meet other teachers and settle into life in Korea! :D

Free Furnished Housing Provided
Another year of not paying rent..... I could get used to this! My 'Studio' will include - a bed, a table and chairs, a wardrobe, a gas stove, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a microwave oven, and a TV set.
Rooms vary so much depending on where you are placed in regards to size and location. I am keeping a very open mind on what my room will be like.
But at least this year my 'house/room' will be all mine, so that will be a bonus no matter what the room is like! I have done some searching on youtube of tours of peoples places that are on the EPIK program, and I have been pleasantly suprised......
- Bills and utilities are paid for by me, but from what I have researched these are a LOT cheaper than in the uk.

Guessing that it will look like this....... right?

Salary - Between 2 Million and 2.2 Millon KRW/ £1,091 - £1200 a month (Dependant on where I will be placed. Less for the bigger cities etc.)
When you take into account that I will not have rent payments and the cost of buying items in Korea (more on this later) then the salary is very very decent!

Severance Pay - Upon completing the contract, a bonus of approx one months contract is paid Between 2 Million and 2.2 Millon KRW/ £1,091 - £1200
A nice goodbye present!


Exit Allowance - 1,300,000 KRW/ £709
After completing the full contract an Exit Allowance is paid which can be used towards a flight home, or further travels.

Renewal Allowance - 2 Million KRW/ £1,091 (If you choose to renew your contract,this is paid instead of your 'Exit Allowance'  and the following years 'Entrance Allowance' and 'Settlement Pay'.)
Liked Korea so much you want to stay? Then receive a Renewal Allowance instead of Exit/Entrance and Settlement Pay. If you renew within the same POE, then your pay will also increase.


And finally - I get to live in Korea, for at least one year, and experience a new way of life! 

The cost of applying to EPIK

I've had a few people interested in how much it has cost me to get all my documents and everything ready for Korea. So, here's a checklist of what I have spent so far.......! Haha my next post will be about the pay/benefits that I will get, as to not depress myself too much.

And this will maybe help people see why I am constantly skint at the minute :)

100 hour TEFL Certificate - £229/ $329
 (This is now a required document when applying through EPIK)

Original Sealed Transcripts  - £50/ $80
I ordered two copies of my transcripts - even though only one is required for application. EPIK recommend this, because you might need the the other copy when going to the Korean Embassy.

A signed copy of my degree with apostile attached - £5 for the signature from the solicitor, £5 x 2 to send the items tracked to the FCO and £36 for the apostile inc delivery - £51/ $82
 I included the £6 delivery on this and the CRB check as I ended up having to send my documents to the FCO twice. The £5x2 is also for the same reason.)

A CRB check with apostile attached - £25 for Basic Disclosure and £36 for the apostile inc delivery -£61/$98


Sending my documents to Korea - £65/ $104
I used Parcel Force Global Express which guarantees delivery within two days, and the documents can be tracked.

Passport Photos - £5/ $8

TOTAL SO FAR - £461 / $701

Things that I still have to pay for
-  Going to the Korea Embassy in London to get my visa
- Flight tickets to Korea (See next post - my flights are paid for, but in my first months pay check)

So, I will definitely suggest making sure that teaching in Korea is what you want to do as it is not a cheap application process! But, as it is what I want to do...... these costs will soon be forgotten. I will now just go and take some more money off my money tree.........

And the interview results are in.........

I PASSED THE INTERVIEW :D :D

So, after having my interview on Tuesday - I was told that I could expect to hear back within 1 hour to 3 days. So the waiting game begun, everytime I got an email, I would feel scared and excited at the same time! Wednesday morning I woke up early to check my emails - nothing from EPIK.
Thursday morning - when I woke up..... No email.
Then me, the kids and my host mum were having breakfast, and I was checking my emails (again) and I saw one from EPIK, I opened the email and saw the word 'Congratulations' and started to scream at the breakfast table!!

I told the host family and then the kids started cheering and Julien started cheering 'Woahhhh, Big Boss, Big Boss.....' haha that's his new saying at the minute!

Whatsapped my real family and then walked the kids to school, with them asking lots of questions about what I would be doing in Korea. EXCITED!!

Then I got back, and me and my mum spoke on the phone to sort out the mound of documents that now needeed to be sent. It is still on a first come first served basis from them receiving the documents and being accepted in a school. We decided to go with parcel force - we have booked the collection to take place today - guaranteed within two days. Someone on the EPIK group had a problem when booking with parcel force, and I know from working with TNT that sometimes online collections can get held up, although we booked really early this morning, my mum will call them this afternoon to check that they are collecting...... yes I have turned into one of those annoying customers!! Haha.



So a BIG THANKS to everyone who has helped me so far
- My mum and dad for supporting all the 'out of nowhere' ideas that I get (E.g. I'm moving to Switzerland) and also helping me with allllll the documents/lending of money etc
- Everyone who has wished me good luck..... made my nerves go away a little bit haha
- My host family in Switzerland who are taking me out for a Korean meal to celebrate
- The host grandma for 'praying that I pass'
- For the EPIK facebook group for keeping me sane when it feels like you are stressing out!
-For EPIK who have been super helpful in the whole process.


And of course my motivational song ;) ...........