Hey everyone! It's been a while and I've fallen being on whats being going on here on Chalkboard but decided I need to get back into the swing of things so here I am!
Looks like there are a few new faces kicking about in the August Intern group which is good to see! Welcome!
Right where to start?! I suddenly woke up this morning in a panic as I realised there is only 3 more Monday's left before I leave England and there is so much to do so today has been my first, of hopefully many, busy & productive days!
Tax Return:
P45 & P60 sent off, I have to trust they will mail me a cheque in 5 odd weeks - I'm a bit screwed without it.
Visas:
First load of paperwork for Russian & Mongolian visas has been done, need to get passport photos, bank statements and sign a few things and send passport off on Wednesday.
Chinese visa is a bit trickier, I'm going to have to get it sorted in Moscow as I will of already left the country but the time they send out the letters of invitation, might cause some problems but I hope it will be fine.
Travel Insurance:
Cheapest I've found so far is the 'Globetrotter' option on www.columbusdirect.com - £160 for worldwide from 1st July till 28th Feb.
Jabs:
Hep A&B, Typhoid, Tetanus Booster, Japanese Encephalitis done (apart from 1 last day before I leave).
Trains:
Fully booked and paid for. Shrewsbury > London, London > Paris, Paris > Munich, Munich > Budapest. 2 weeks in Hungary & Serbia. Budapest > Moscow. 2 weeks in Moscow & St Petersburg. Moscow > Irkutsk, Irkutsk > Ulan Bator, Ulan Bator > Beijing.
TELF:
Hmmm this is where I've fallen behind and struggling... Done weekend course (good fun), Grammar module, and checkpoints 1 to 3 on the main course. Motivation is non existent but forcing myself to do a bit each day over the next couple of weeks.
Mandarin:
non-existent. What I had learnt (basics) has been lost and I'm back at square one... will hopefully learn some on the way there.
Chopsticks & Drinking skills: Perfected! Least I've got something finished!
Hows everyone else doing? Everything going to plan? Anyone else fallen behind like me on the course?
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Wow, you seem to be having such fun and travelling to other places before hand - I am just going straight to Beijing (although one week earlier for fun). The course is just a sucker of life some-times. What I did to make sure I went was buy internet time at a Starbucks close to home for the month and did it there. That way it gave me a 'working' spot and the added guilty feeling of getting it done before the internet time wears down - like the due date for the course. I only have the weekend course left - so I am happy. Good luck and safe trip and I'll see you on the other side!
Sounds like you've got as far on TEFL as I have - still on Module 5 so you may still beat me to the finishing post yet! Motivation's my problem too - more so since I decided to go independent rather than doing the China Internship. I'll be back from my travels a week after you get to China, so I'll be looking forward to hearing all about your train trip and how you're getting on after your first week in China. Have a great trip.
only 3weeks? exciting times! I've booked my flight to Moscow, actually buying my train tickets and starting to sort visas is the plan for this week... (as well as TEFL in my lunch breaks!) good luck getting everything sorted :)
Hey!
Nice to see im not the only one falling behind a bit!
Its a little crazy trying to get everything organised. I havn't officially been accepted yet as I had to wait a while
before sending off my application package due to waiting on a new passport, but im really hopeful. Anyway I just thought itd be nice to meet some of the August interns, hoping everything goes to plan.
Sounds like you've got everything under control, good luck with it all!
Also good to see that i wont be alone with non-existent mandarin!
Mate, that's some extreme route to Beijing! Happy days for you and the very best of luck!
Just got accepted today so no turning back now for the China internship, to be honest - pretty nervous about this whole thing with no teaching experience, is that the same as you?
Not really got a plan as yet, i'm putting the art of the blag to the test! ha ha, not really, i just dont know what to take, i mean what are we supposed to take?
Stickwith the course, i found it got tricky towards the end because i was maybe overthinking certain aspects but it is rewarding when you get through it
That's good news - I can imagine tackling the Chinese embassy in Moscow would be tricky to say the least!
Good news is I-to-I just contacted me and someone in China actually listened to my random e-mails I sent out regarding my visa issues and they have started the application early so I should have my letter of invitation in a week or so... least that solves the problem of have to get it on route and whatever problems would of arisen from that.
Hey,
At least you've got the chopsticks down! Good luck with the rest of the course - just make sure you leave enough time to get it done - I know the guys in China are really strict about people finishing it by the course deadline! Really looking forward to hearing all about your overland adventures - so jealous!
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