It has officially been six weeks since I made the move to South Korea. I've spent these weeks taking in my surroundings, adjusting to everyday life, and embracing the new culture that will indefinitely become my own. For one of the few times in my life, I had no idea of what to expect before I arrived. I applied to the program with a limited knowledge of what it actually entailed besides the obvious "teaching English in Korea," and a comment my sister made 2 years ago while discussing future options that went something like, "My friend is teaching in Korea, wouldn't that be crazy?" Regardless, I wasn't motivated by the details. I figured I could join the fun of facing a discouraging economy before going back to school, or do what I'm most passionate about and start an adventure in the meantime. Now I'm here, and completely consumed with the unpredictability, curiosity, and experiences that each new day comes with.
With that, I was dropped off 5 weeks ago in front of an obscure metal door and cement steps that would lead into to my new Korean oasis, complete with plants growing through my windows, no A/C, and neighbors with adjoining rooftops who hang their laundry on my patio, take the liberty of folding mine, and yell an occasional "Hello" in my kitchen window as I make coffee in the morning. Night three in the house came with a typhoon strong enough to blow shoes across the room (with windows shut), and cave in the roof of a fellow teacher's house. Day four: the first day of school and introduction to my new students, 500 middle school girls via school-wide assembly. Day five: a woman knocks on my door, yells something in Korean, and runs in and out with an armful of underwear. If 'unpredictability' doesn't sum it up, ridiculous would be a close second.
Teaching.
One of the words I would have never associated with myself before this year, but something that has grabbed me far beyond what I had initially expected. In the past couple years I've discovered that I have a growing passion for children. Something that yes, may come as a surprise to many who have known me for awhile. Now I teach in an all-girls middle school that I can see from my roof and where I spend the majority of my time. I lesson plan for and teach 500 different girls a week, lead a weekly teacher's workshop, two after-school programs, and commute to an entirely different school on Fridays. The majority of students are wonderful, and having no prior experience, I'm starting to understand what it actually takes to be a good teacher. My job is busy, crazy, stressful..and great. You have a choice to give it everything, and so the saying goes: it's all in the experience.
Learning.
A real journey answers questions that in the beginning, you didn't even think to ask.
-180° South
Yes, I am here as a teacher. But the experience of living abroad and traveling in itself comes with discoveries that are impossible to teach, or be learned any other way. I watched a documentary called, "180° South," last summer about a group of strangers who sail to Patagonia over a six-month span. Overall, the documentary itself could've been done better despite its alluring story of adventure. However, it included a quote (above) that perfectly articulated why travel has such a profound impact on your life. When you throw yourself into a new culture, you immediately put yourself in a position of vulnerability. Ideally you're open-minded, overly aware of your surroundings, and automatically prepared to find the things you weren't looking for. Coming here has once again reminded me of the opportunities for personal growth. I'm here to teach, and also to learn from the people, places, and experiences I encounter. I'm excited to say that this new chapter will have a an outcome that I can't even begin to predict, or ever forget.
Living.
I live in a small, Southern city called Jangheung. It's surrounded by mountains, divided by a river, and considered one of the two "slow cities" in Korea, meaning the goal is to "improve the quality of live in towns while resisting the fast-lane, homogenized world so often seen in other cities of the world." (Yes that is from wikipedia). What the city's known for is organic farming, wilderness, preserved traditions, and the biggest farmer's market in Korea...bonus! It's peaceful and beautiful, all things I personally think make a good set up. I've gone hiking with my principle on one of the nearby mountains and found countless other trails through the hills, so I've had a lot of fun exploring what the area has to offer and taking full advantage of the perfect running routes.
I'm also one of 5 foreigners in the town who all teach in the area. I love the rural factor of Jangheung, but it's definitely been nice to have that crew around to hang out with. The people are great, and never any less excited to see you no matter how many times you interact. I forget that I stand out so easily here, but am always quickly reminded by the loud, "Hello!'s" from a block away and the relentless, and sometimes uncomfortable amounts of curiosity from children and 90 year old farmers alike. There is an awesome feeling of community, and I'm constantly taken aback by the overwhelming acceptance and kindness. It's always interesting, and so far I can say that life is good.
And so the year and blog begins. I'll be updating periodically and thoroughly appreciate hearing from all of you, so I may be across the pond but don't be a stranger. More soon.
One of the words I would have never associated with myself before this year, but something that has grabbed me far beyond what I had initially expected. In the past couple years I've discovered that I have a growing passion for children. Something that yes, may come as a surprise to many who have known me for awhile. Now I teach in an all-girls middle school that I can see from my roof and where I spend the majority of my time. I lesson plan for and teach 500 different girls a week, lead a weekly teacher's workshop, two after-school programs, and commute to an entirely different school on Fridays. The majority of students are wonderful, and having no prior experience, I'm starting to understand what it actually takes to be a good teacher. My job is busy, crazy, stressful..and great. You have a choice to give it everything, and so the saying goes: it's all in the experience.
Learning.
A real journey answers questions that in the beginning, you didn't even think to ask.
-180° South
Yes, I am here as a teacher. But the experience of living abroad and traveling in itself comes with discoveries that are impossible to teach, or be learned any other way. I watched a documentary called, "180° South," last summer about a group of strangers who sail to Patagonia over a six-month span. Overall, the documentary itself could've been done better despite its alluring story of adventure. However, it included a quote (above) that perfectly articulated why travel has such a profound impact on your life. When you throw yourself into a new culture, you immediately put yourself in a position of vulnerability. Ideally you're open-minded, overly aware of your surroundings, and automatically prepared to find the things you weren't looking for. Coming here has once again reminded me of the opportunities for personal growth. I'm here to teach, and also to learn from the people, places, and experiences I encounter. I'm excited to say that this new chapter will have a an outcome that I can't even begin to predict, or ever forget.
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| An island, a sunset, and a sleeping bag. |
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| Hiking the volcano, Hallasan. |
Living.
I live in a small, Southern city called Jangheung. It's surrounded by mountains, divided by a river, and considered one of the two "slow cities" in Korea, meaning the goal is to "improve the quality of live in towns while resisting the fast-lane, homogenized world so often seen in other cities of the world." (Yes that is from wikipedia). What the city's known for is organic farming, wilderness, preserved traditions, and the biggest farmer's market in Korea...bonus! It's peaceful and beautiful, all things I personally think make a good set up. I've gone hiking with my principle on one of the nearby mountains and found countless other trails through the hills, so I've had a lot of fun exploring what the area has to offer and taking full advantage of the perfect running routes.
I'm also one of 5 foreigners in the town who all teach in the area. I love the rural factor of Jangheung, but it's definitely been nice to have that crew around to hang out with. The people are great, and never any less excited to see you no matter how many times you interact. I forget that I stand out so easily here, but am always quickly reminded by the loud, "Hello!'s" from a block away and the relentless, and sometimes uncomfortable amounts of curiosity from children and 90 year old farmers alike. There is an awesome feeling of community, and I'm constantly taken aback by the overwhelming acceptance and kindness. It's always interesting, and so far I can say that life is good.
The adjoining rooftop community.
Jangheung market.
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| Fellow teachers: representing Canada, America, and Ireland. |
And so the year and blog begins. I'll be updating periodically and thoroughly appreciate hearing from all of you, so I may be across the pond but don't be a stranger. More soon.
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