EPIK · EPIK 2020
EPIK in Daegu — Qadirah Muhammad's story
Qadirah Muhammad
Korvia alumni
Please tell us about yourself
Name: Qadirah Muhammad
Nationality: American
Age: 22
Major: Psychology, Africana Studies
Name 3 words that describe your personality
Sincere, quick learner, hard-working.
What made you come to decide to teach in Korea?
My interest in Korean culture, teaching, and personal growth.
Do you speak Korean?
Very, very little!
What program did you come through and why?
I applied through EPIK via Korvia after reading positive reviews about their support with the application process.
When did you apply and which month did you start working?
I applied for August 2019 but deferred to March 2020.
What did you need to apply for the program?
About $500–600 for EFL certification, apostilles, criminal record checks, photos, the visa, and shipment of documents to Korea.
What's the hardest part in the application process?
Obtaining the criminal record check required stamped fingerprints, but the local police initially offered only digital scanning.
How did your interview go? Any tips?
My interview was great! No problems, no tips.
Was it easy to get your work visa?
Very easy. The turnaround time was also very fast when using express mail. It was, however, very expensive.
Name 3 essential things to pack
One warm winter coat and a light jacket for when the weather begins to warm, one professional outfit for orientation, and a bath towel.
Which city did you place and what is it like?
Daegu. I enjoy the nearby river with jogging paths and appreciate the balanced city atmosphere.
Describe 3 favourite parts in your city
Cat cafes, the lake, and corner stores everywhere.
What are your monthly expenses?
Still tracking, but I spent about $600 settling into the apartment.
Useful teaching sources?
waygook.org, storyarts.org, YouTube.
Useful living sources?
YouTube channels (TravelingNat, Sisilessthan3, KoreanOllie) and GoOverseas.com.
Any advice?
Research and watch a lot of YouTube videos. Watch real teachers' experiences in Korea. Research phone-plan options, banking options, and apps. Know the basics of the Korean language. Be confident — Korea feels like a safe place!
Originally published on Korvia testimonials in March 2020. Some program details may have changed since — see Teach English in Korea for the latest.