Yesterday I called the South Korean Consulate in Chicago to inquire about getting my diploma notarized. See, in order to get my E-2 Visa which will allow me to teach in South Korea, I need to either get copies of my degree notarized, or use my original degree. Now I've been reading about this process for a while and it's highly recommended to use notarized copies so the original does not get stolen. Anyway, here's how the conversation went.
*ring*
First Lady answers in Korean.
"Hi, do you speak English?" Quickly realizing I wasn't yet in South Korea I continued, "Yeah, uhh I'm interested in moving to South Korea to teach English and I need to get my degree notarized do you guys do that?" I stuttered.
"One moment please" she replied in a thick accent. I was then put on hold with some K-pop music in the background, hmm, sure beats the jazz music they use for conference calls at work I said to myself.
Five minutes later the phone starts ringing again, the first lady picks up and says "Please hold a moment", in her thick Korean accent.
After what seemed an eternity another lady answers the phone in Korean.
"Hi", I say happily, "I need to get my degree notarized to teach in South Korea, can you help me with that?"
"Hello, what school did you go too?", The second lady asks.
"Lewis University", I replied proudly.
"What?", Apparently my school isn't that popular up there.
"Lewis University, it's in Romeoville Illinois", I said.
"Ok it's in Illinois. How many copies you want?"
"I'd like 10 copies".
"You want pen copies?" She asked.
"Uh what? Umm yeah I have a pen".
"What? How many copies do you want"? She said louder as if that would help me understand her accent.
"I want 10 copies", I repeated louder.
"Ah ok, we need you to send 11 copies of your diploma, your original diploma, $20 cash or money order, and a copy of your passport".
"You don't need my DNA, finger prints and retinal scan?" I quietly said to myself.
"What?" She asked confused.
"Great thank you!", realizing she had probably heard me but doubtful she understood.
Hanging up the phone I thought to myself, oh what adventures await me. I later found out that they would keep one copy, which is why they asked for 11. I was exhilarated and nervous at the same time. I've always had trouble understanding people with thick accents, and here I'm talking to someone who is in the United States working at the South Korean consulate and I can barely understand her. But that's all part of the journey, going some place that makes me uncomfortable, going some place new. Sure I might not be able to speak the language, read the writing, or understand the people who do speak English, but that's not too important is it? Oh what adventures await me indeed!
