Airplanes, Part II

The view from my place by Gangnam Station where I stayed when I visited. The building is really currrrrrrrrrvy.

So I couldn't pass the FSOT ( Foreign Service Officer Test ). And I've moved back to the USA but have been back to Seoul to visit already. Immigration took my ARC ( Alien Resident Card ) when I left but they let me back in to visit with no problems.

I've Underestimated My Charm (Again)

Not being able to walk yet gives me time to write about something I said I would a while ago. Knee is still a bit swollen but the nerves down there are getting a little better every day so I can feel pain more! Yea!

The Foreign Service Officer Test is taken by people who know they have a 5% chance of actually becoming a FSO. When I took it in Yongsan, Seoul the test takers came from a bunch of different backgrounds and age groups as one might expect. Had a little trouble finding the test location but a nice Korean Army guy pointed me in the right direction.

I would've done better to have brushed up on high school social studies stuff and all the hot topics in the news these days. I took it on the computer and everything was smooth.

The test moderator said if it were up to him, he'd hire me on the spot simply because I was on time, organized and friendly. Too bad, I didn't pass the test and will have to try next year if I'm still looking for direction in my life.

Make Way

I took the Foreign Service Officer Test in Yongsan earlier this month. I don't think I did so hot. I keep up on the news more than most... and can remember some details of what I learned about the government in high school. If I had a clearer memories from those days and was just a bit more well read in regards to current events I'd feel more confident about reaching the next step of the hiring process. I wasn't aware that only 10% of those that take it actually get hired...

I got another year on my visa just by going to the immigration office here in Seoul. Lots of other foreign teachers were talking about how hard it'd be but for me it was a breeze. I guess the real complicated regulations come into play more for those that are newcomers to Korea to teach on an E2 this year.

FSO Test

I'm going to take the Foreign Service Officer Test in early March. I finished the application finally, they wanted 6 references! I realized filling out the app was just as much for me as it was for taking the test. There was a personal narrative section where I had to type out my thoughts in regards to my life experiences. I hadn't thought about what I've been doing recently in that much detail. Needless to say much of what I put on there related to my time in Korea and how it has made me better. I don't know of anyone who has ever taken the test before. I'll write here about how it goes. I saw sample questions and they look like they'd own my face though.