I know many of you think I moved to Korea a couple of weeks ago, but that’s not entirely true.
You see, two weeks ago I landed in Korea. I stayed in Seoul where I spent the first five days in a hostel with 25 other English teachers, exploring the city and having a grand ole party of a time.
Next, the government organization that hired us, EPIK, picked up all the teachers and bussed them to an orientation site where we lived in a dorm for a week, went to classes 12 hours a day, and ate cafeteria food for every meal. It was all very fun—and very easy.
Then, shit got real, yo.
Yesterday, after only a few hours of sleep, we were sent to our new cities. In a small auditorium they announced each of our names and our new coteachers walked up to “claim” us. One by one, our cozy group of English speaking friends dissipated in a nervous frenzy of “Nice to meet you”’s and we were taken to see our schools, meet our new colleagues, get settled in our new apartments, and start our new life.
Yesterday was the day I found out that I will be teaching in a low income urban middle school where the students are so troublesome that my new principal is worried about my survival. Yesterday was the day I got the keys to my small studio apartment with a funny smell and no furniture. Yesterday was the day that I finally broke down and cried, staring in the mirror asking myself what in the hell am I doing here. Yesterday was the day I realized how difficult the little every day tasks like ordering food and finding my way around will be.
Yesterday was the day I officially moved to Korea.
Yesterday was also the day that I picked myself up off the tear-soaked heated floor and forced myself to walk down the street. I found some food, sat in a coffee shop to use the internet, and then met up with some fellow teachers who have lived here for over a year.
I met the English teacher at the elementary school that feeds into my middle school and she confirmed that, indeed, I now work at quite possibly the toughest middle school in the entire city of 4 million people. But the teachers I met were overwhelmingly kind, taking me under their wing and offering me as much advice and knowledge as the night would allow on how to teach and survive in Korea. I left feeling bolstered that despite the cards I’ve been dealt, I have an amazing network of supportive people who will become my friends—even my family—as we maneuver our way through this adventure together.
I came to Korea because I wanted a challenge. While this isn’t exactly what I had in mind, deep down I always knew I wouldn’t be the person to land one of those cushy jobs and a fancy two bedroom apartment. I’ve just never had that kind of luck. But the universe has a way of putting you right where you need to be, and I have a strange little inkling that I’m going to make it through this challenge. And if I can survive this next year without being eaten alive by my students, then I’m fairly certain I can make it through just about anything.
Good luck Kaleena! My rule of thumb is to always be strict at the beginning. Then after a while, when the realize you mean business, you can ease off a little. But it is impossible to start out being really laid back and then switch to being strict when you realize they are walking all over you. Well….I am sure you have got tons of advice already. Hang in there!
Thanks Sarah! That’s pretty much the approach I’m going to attempt to take… we’ll see how it goes. Thanks for the support, it means a lot! 🙂
When disciplining the little thugs, if all else fails you could just show them photos of that shooting trip you went on with your family. 😉
Jokes aside, the tears are normal. I broke down too, and went running to the first English speaker I (over)heard, and it turned out that there’s an amazingly kind and generous couple living in my building. We’ve become friends. It’s hard to get through the initial feeeling of being an illiterate toddler incapable of anything because of the language block, but like you said, you’ve already met people who’ve been there a while and know the ropes. Ask them to show you. You’re a tough cookie and you’ll be fine, even though it’s bloody hard at first. *hugs* Stay strong!
Great story but I’m not sure those 12-hour classes are sounding so good. I’m applying with EPIK, for the fall intake. Right now, I’m just waiting for my interview and hoping I get placed in Daegu. Fingers crossed that I’ll suffering the nervous frenzy soon too!
Wow, that’s so exciting! Good luck on your application process! It’s all a bit of a pain, but it’ll pay off in the end. The 12 hour days are long but they’re worth it in the long run, and you’ll enjoy a lot of orientation. What makes you want to be placed in Daegu? (other than the fact that it’s an awesome city) Let me know if you have any questions along the way. Cheers!
Thanks! Yeah, it is exciting. I wish it would hurry though, I can’t wait to get there. Daegu looks like a nice city, it’s in a central location. It’s not too big or too small. There’s an amusement park w/ a roller coaster, lots of hiking (as usual for Korea), plus ski resorts nearby for snowboarding. Just seems like a good mix.