KOREAN-AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL COMMISSION English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Handbook 2013-2014 Edited by Ashlee Anton, Leslie Kang, Anthony Cho, Tracey Lam, Hemlata Mistry, Andrew Moncada, and Elaine Townsend 2013 ETA Orientation Coordinator Team 1 We must try, through international education, to realize something new in the world -- a purpose that will inspire us and challenge us to use our talents and material wealth in a new way, by persuasion rather than force, cooperatively rather than competitively, not with the intention of gaining dominance for a nation or an ideology, but for the purpose of helping every society develop its own concept of public decency and individual fulfillment. - Senator J. William Fulbright 2 3 Table of Contents Introduction to the ETA Handbook……………………………………………………………….8 ETA Program Background and Introduction ...................................................................................9 The Fulbright Office ......................................................................................................................10 Key Staff Members ....................................................................................................................10 Getting Ready to Go ......................................................................................................................11 Passport ......................................................................................................................................11 Visa ............................................................................................................................................11 Travel Arrangements to Korea ...................................................................................................12 Taxes…………………………………………………………………………………………………...12 Medical Considerations .................................................................................................................13 Medical Clearance .....................................................................................................................12 Inoculations ................................................................................................................................13 Mental Health and Well-Being ..................................................................................................14 Medications ................................................................................................................................15 Medical Care ..............................................................................................................................16 Health Insurance ........................................................................................................................17 Medical Talk ..............................................................................................................................17 Prescription Glasses and Contacts .............................................................................................17 Luggage & Personal Items .............................................................................................................18 Airline Baggage .........................................................................................................................18 Shipping .....................................................................................................................................18 APO............................................................................................................................................19 Excess Baggage Allowance .......................................................................................................20 Packing ...........................................................................................................................................20 How to Pack ...............................................................................................................................20 Things Provided at Orientation ..................................................................................................21 Bag 1: at Orientation ..................................................................................................................21 Bag 2: Non-Orientation Items ....................................................................................................24 Shoes ..........................................................................................................................................25 Gifts for School and Homestay Family .....................................................................................25 Past ETAs’ Thoughts on Packing ..............................................................................................26 Availability of Everyday Items ..................................................................................................28 Used Items for Sale at Orientation .............................................................................................29 Arrival in Korea .............................................................................................................................29 4 Immigration................................................................................................................................29 Baggage Claim ...........................................................................................................................30 ETA Lifestyle.................................................................................................................................30 Summer Orientation .......................................................................................................................30 Placements .....................................................................................................................................32 Teaching .........................................................................................................................................32 The ETA Role ............................................................................................................................32 Winter Break Program ...............................................................................................................33 The Korean Educational System ................................................................................................34 The Schools ................................................................................................................................34 The Students...............................................................................................................................35 The Schedule ..............................................................................................................................36 The Co-Teacher .........................................................................................................................36 School Relations ........................................................................................................................36 The Homestay ................................................................................................................................37 Korean Language ...........................................................................................................................39 Living in Korea ..............................................................................................................................40 Safety .............................................................................................................................................40 Money & Financial Matters ...........................................................................................................41 Bringing Money from the U.S. to Korea ...................................................................................41 Orientation Stipend ....................................................................................................................42 Regular Earnings ........................................................................................................................42 Banking ......................................................................................................................................43 Transferring or Taking Money to the U.S. ................................................................................43 Credit Cards ...............................................................................................................................43 Citibank ......................................................................................................................................44 Student Loan Deferments ..........................................................................................................44 Taxes ..........................................................................................................................................44 Communications ............................................................................................................................44 Mail ............................................................................................................................................44 Telephone 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