My School In South Korea

It has been so hectic trying to get everything ready for South Korea! I had to send all of my documents to Korea so they can process my VISA. They were supposed to arrive a week ago and there is still no sign of them. It is delaying things, and hopefully my documents find their way to the correct destination soon...kind of stressful! I also ended up switching schools, in order to work with Mary, and live in the same apartment complex as her. The school I am now at has the same age kids, elementary, but it seems a lot more laid back and will be easier to adjust to. We will live only a few blocks from the school, so getting there will be so easy!

I have been talking to a few teachers at my school, as well as other teachers in South Korea about what to pack, and what to expect when I arrive etc. Everyone has told me pretty much the same thing..bring lots of deodorant and female products because they are almost impossible to find! Every country I have been to has had different little things like that, and it's good to know how to prepare before I leave! People have also told me to pack twin sheets, because for some reason, Koreans don't use them like we do in the US. Packing for a year will definitley not be easy...especially with only two suitcases! I've always packed more than necessary, but appropriate attire for both work and free time, for all four seasons will be difficult to put together! Asians are a lot smaller than Americans in general, so we've been advised not to plan on buying clothes or shoes there because the sizes are considerably smaller. Ahhh....so much to think about!

My departure date has been changed several times, due to switching schools and problems with processing my VISA. Now I am scheduled to leave on May 28th which will get here sooner than i'll expect! I set up my website to post my pictures, and right now there are new pictures of the school I will work at.

The website is http://picasaweb.google.com/cracker14c

Enjoy and I will keep everyone updated!

South Korea bound!

I'm finally graduating with my Masters in International Studies, and just accepted a job! I am leaving in less than 3 weeks to teach English in South Korea for a year. Even though I have experience living abroad, I have never been to a country where I don't speak the language so i'm pretty nervous! Luckily I am going with two people I know, so that should make things a little easier. I have been assigned to a school on the outskirts of Seoul, South Korea. Seoul is the capital and is a huge city...different than anything I have ever experienced.

Mary, a friend I am graduating with, told me about this opportunity and luckily we were both offered positions. The website for the organization we were hired by is http://www.korjobcanada.com for anyone that's interested! It was started by a guy who taught for three years in Seoul, just like we are doing, then came back and started this organization to make easier and more affordable for recent graduates to teach in South Korea. It's an awesome opportunity. The school at which we are employed pays for our workers VISA, round trip air fare, a furnished apartment, travel within the city and medical insurance. On top of that we get paid a pretty good monthly salary, so hopefully this will give me a chance to save some money and travel even more.

I have joined groups on Facebook for people teaching in South Korea and have talked to several people about their experiences so far. They all seem to love it and have given me some great advice about things to know before I go, and what to pack etc.

Here are a couple pictures of the school I will be working at. It is preschool and lower elementary school grades, and supposedly one of the more ritzy schools in the area. I am so excited and will keep everyone posted on how things go! Wish me luck and I will miss you all!