I'm told Korean students are very busy. School from 8am-5pm with 8 courses a day. Then, they go to private "hagwons" academies to do further study, maybe additional activities, and then studying until midnight. They do this five days a week...many of them boarding at their high school.
Cheers,
-Bets
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Zombie Orientation
Greetings from Beautiful Asan,
We just finished day three of orientation and my fifth day on Korean soil. My days have been jam packed. After arriving in Seoul an hour early (Go Singapore Airline - best trip ever!), I was greeted by a voice I recognized - my recruiter, as well as several fellow Chungnam English Teachers. We were quite the motley crew but we bonded over bad Korean TV (much like the US) and Chinese food in Incheon.
Our group eventually grew to 20 teachers after late arrivals and we headed to Asan. BUT, not before making a brief trip to Seoul via the express rail where a small pack of us explored the old side of Namdaemun Market for an hour or so. I think it was worth it and I was happy to acquire some much needed shampoo and conditioner on the journey back to the group.
Asan is again, BEAUTIFUL. Despite the medical check and jet lag sleep (zombie reference), I've had a lovely time here. I've made some good friends at orientation and continue to meet more everyday. The classes seem pretty helpful and I've learned a lot about the culture. I can even sound out words in Korean!...though I couldn't tell you what they mean. Except for the Konglish...which is an actual term here.
As for my life following orientation, I've befriended folks I haven't even met yet in Taean (my new home) on facebook. They seem like a tight knit community of fun folks. I'll be headed there next week with my co-teacher to meet my new bosses, fellow teachers, students, beaches, and mountains. Sounds awful doesn't it...smile*
Unfortunately, I am late for my own gathering. I've decided to introduce Pass the Pigs to the expat masses. Wish me luck!
Pig out,
-Bets
Update: Pass the Pigs was a big hit!
We just finished day three of orientation and my fifth day on Korean soil. My days have been jam packed. After arriving in Seoul an hour early (Go Singapore Airline - best trip ever!), I was greeted by a voice I recognized - my recruiter, as well as several fellow Chungnam English Teachers. We were quite the motley crew but we bonded over bad Korean TV (much like the US) and Chinese food in Incheon.
Our group eventually grew to 20 teachers after late arrivals and we headed to Asan. BUT, not before making a brief trip to Seoul via the express rail where a small pack of us explored the old side of Namdaemun Market for an hour or so. I think it was worth it and I was happy to acquire some much needed shampoo and conditioner on the journey back to the group.
Asan is again, BEAUTIFUL. Despite the medical check and jet lag sleep (zombie reference), I've had a lovely time here. I've made some good friends at orientation and continue to meet more everyday. The classes seem pretty helpful and I've learned a lot about the culture. I can even sound out words in Korean!...though I couldn't tell you what they mean. Except for the Konglish...which is an actual term here.
As for my life following orientation, I've befriended folks I haven't even met yet in Taean (my new home) on facebook. They seem like a tight knit community of fun folks. I'll be headed there next week with my co-teacher to meet my new bosses, fellow teachers, students, beaches, and mountains. Sounds awful doesn't it...smile*
Unfortunately, I am late for my own gathering. I've decided to introduce Pass the Pigs to the expat masses. Wish me luck!
Pig out,
-Bets
Update: Pass the Pigs was a big hit!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
So it begins...
Welcome Family, Friends, and Strangers,
And so the adventure begins. In less than three weeks I will be boarding a plane for a new home in South Korea where I will be putting my soon-to-be-complete TEFL certificate to the test. The month ahead seems daunting to say the least, but I hope to provide a humble narrative for anyone who would like to join me on this exciting journey. I'm not sure what direction this little piece of the "interweb" will go, but I'll do my best to make it slightly entertaining (photos, videos, cats, etc.).
Of course - please feel free to leave comments or contact me via the menu tab above at any time. It's always nice to have an audience (or so my sister says...).
All the best,
-Bets
And so the adventure begins. In less than three weeks I will be boarding a plane for a new home in South Korea where I will be putting my soon-to-be-complete TEFL certificate to the test. The month ahead seems daunting to say the least, but I hope to provide a humble narrative for anyone who would like to join me on this exciting journey. I'm not sure what direction this little piece of the "interweb" will go, but I'll do my best to make it slightly entertaining (photos, videos, cats, etc.).
Of course - please feel free to leave comments or contact me via the menu tab above at any time. It's always nice to have an audience (or so my sister says...).
All the best,
-Bets
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