This is basically going to be verbal diarrhea about the last year. I would not blame you at all if you didn't read anything and just skipped down to look at the pictures. <3
About this time last year a friend started asking me questions about study abroad in Japan. I was more than happy to answer her questions and encourage her to take that wonderful journey like I did two years ago. Her questions turned into conversation and that conversation turned toward our futures. I expressed a desire to do something like JET at the time. She proceeded to tell me that she had recently gotten back to the states from doing an abroad teaching program in Korea. It was called TaLK. She spoke highly of the program and all of the benefits she could remember. Ultimately, my interest was peaked and I started doing my own research. I would have applied then, except it was already too late to apply for that fall since it had already begun. So, I waited for Spring. Only trouble there was that I waited too long before checking deadline dates and then was convinced I would not be accepted if I applied so late. So, I skipped the spring as well. I got right on top of the application process from there. I signed up for the beginning Korean class at the University, spoke to the director of the East Asian Institute Department there, and started on the paperwork as soon as I could. I submitted my online application as soon as I could.
The online application itself was the easiest part of this entire journey. Next came the interview. I went to campus and spoke to the aforementioned director for advice on my interview and also spent hours researching interview questions and writing down how I'd want to answer them. Later that night at around 1am was my interview. Being late as it was, I was tired already and that added to my nerves. None the less, I dressed business-like and sat at my computer waiting for that message on Skype that the interview would be soon. The interview was a lot less scary than I expected it to be. Of course I was asked a few the normal interview questions, but all in all it felt a lot more chill. He talked to me about the program and things I should expect and prepare for. The next step in the process was gathering the physical copies of my application plus all the extra information they needed like background checks mailed to Seoul. Gathering them took a lot more than the online application did. There were fees to pay for and driving to Austin. I even drove to Dallas to pick up my Visa. I know I could have had it mailed back, but when I mailed the application I neglected to include an envelope with paid postage. So my only other option was to drive there and pick it up myself. I had everything but my recommendation letters ready to go by early April. I finished that last bit of gathering in the first few days of May and mailed my package off. It was a huge weight off my shoulders knowing it was on its way. Of course, like a genius I forgot to sign one of the sheets so a week later I got an email saying I'd have to send a new copy. Again, when I sent the second package to Seoul I felt a great relief. The only stress left at the time was worrying I would not get accepted for one reason or another. Especially since I was leaving my job at HEB before even getting that acceptance notice. Granted, I was 99.99% certain I would be accepted, but I did not want to get my hopes up too much. A few weeks later I got that email, and believe me when I say... I danced around my room to the song 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams three times straight out of sheer joy.
