IT EVENTUALLY HAPPENED !!!

I got the email on the 15th May 2013 form the Principal at Yew Chung International School in China, asking if I was still interested in working overseas.  Well what do you think I said?

"YES OF COURSE"

 

So an interview was set up for the next day, the 16th May 2013 at 5am South African time as they are 6 hours ahead of us.  I did not hear anything from the School HR department until the 24th May.  They asked me to take an online assessment.  Which I did promptly.

 

"GETTING MORE EXCITED "

 

The head of the HR was trying to get hold of my referees so they could fill in online reference forms.  This took a little while as we were in the process of sports day.  What wonderful references I got.  Thank you Miss Ntaka, Miss Singh and Mrs Killian.

 

"SORTED THAT OUT"

 

It was now the 24th May 2013 and the HR contacted me to complete an online psychology test and to also send them my credentials including academic certificates, teaching certificate, reference letters from your employers, photo page of your passport, and  it was for  - "It will help us to ensure sufficient document for work visa application."

 

"STILL HAVENT BEEN TOLD I HAVE THE JOB YET"

 

But it sounds like I have it in the bag.  On 28th May I received an email from the Chaplain at Yew Chung International School.  He also wanted to have a skype interview with me.  So a skype interview was set for the next day at 4am South African time.  At the interview I decided to be bold and asked outright if I had the position or not.  He then told me that he was the last person in the process so probably, but I will get confirmation.  An offer will be emailed to me which I will have to accept.

 

"WAIT AGAIN - NOOOO"

 

THEN IT CAME - June 5, 2013.  And what an offer.  I accepted it and was in my element.  I handed in my resignation at Pinetown Junior Primary School on the 7 June 2103.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my 2 and a bit years at PJPS.  I started my teaching career there, so it felt like I was saying goodbye to family.

 

RUN, RUN, RUN 

 

The running around only just began. 

 

All the documents were sent to China via email on the 13th July.  My husband and I had to get our marriage and our children's birth certificates authenticated.  Well that was a mission.  We went through to the Department of International Affairs and Cooperation in Pretoria, 600km away, as Durban does not have a branch of DIRCO,  to get these documents done.  But two documents, marriage and one birth certificate, had to first be authenticated by a public natory and the registrar at the Pretoria High Court.  Thank goodness for a garmin.  But when we got to the court we were told that the public natory was not in.  We were however directed to another natory a block away.  So we walked over and this natory was only going to be in by 2pm.  This didn't suit us at all.  So again we were directed to another natories office two floors up.  And again the natory was not in, but his secretary gave us another option.  We could leave our documents there with her, she will get the natory to authenticate them, then take them over to the high court and get the registrar to authenticate them and we can fetch them the next day at 9am.  This was a great idea.  BUT IT WILL COST YOU R350.

 

Well it beat running up and down, so yes we accepted the offer and went home, thanks Sanchia and Anton for putting us up.  The next day we phoned the natories office at 9am to make sure the documents were ready, but the receptionist said, "oh she not in yet, call back in 15 minutes."  Well this went on till just after 10am.  Then she said, "oh are you the lady that needed two documents authenticated"  YES  "oh they here on my desk you may collect them anytime today"  YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.  We went and fetch the documents, back to DIRCO and only waited 15minutes, and rushed to the Chinese Embassy.  But alas, they close everyday at 11:30.  Why?

 

So back to durban we drove.  Paul took the documents to the Chinese Consulate in Durban North the next day.  They too had to authenticate the documents and charged us R150.  This will take 3 days.  When Paul fetched the documents the following Wednesday, they gave him forms that needed to be filled in for a medical.  Well I went for my medical, xrays, ECG, urine samples, eye tests, blood taken for numerous tests.  R900 later.  But I didn't mind because we were on our way to a great adventure.

 

"ADVENTURE OF A LIFE TIME"

 

On the 28th June I received an email from the HR in China, that they had just sent my forms to apply for my expert certificate and on the 4th July they had received my invitation letter and work permit already and were ready to send it to me via DHL Express.

 

"HOW FAST IS THIS?"

 

DHL collected the documents from Rizhao, China on the Friday, 5th July, 2013 at 18:35, China time and it is now in Durban, South Africa, Monday, 8th July, 2013 at 15:03 South African time.  WELL DONE DHL EXPRESS.  I am IMPRESSED.

 

We are still in JHB, and will be leaving on Wednesday, so more running around will continue.  Will keep you updated.