Teacher Placement Coordinator
I did not decide to teach in Korea because of a life-long love of culture. I grew up in 2 teeny, tiny towns in Saskatchewan (holla!) where both populations combined were less than 20,000 people. The only culture I experienced was walking home from school past the taxidermist who, due to some unfortunate deformity, had a mouth on the side of his face instead of in the center. He spoke with what I took to be an accent, and I thought that was exotic.
I attended university and got my Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology. Like most people with a liberal arts degree, upon graduation I looked at my bank account with the large minus sign in front of a rather impressive number and thought, “Now what the %^&* do I do?”
I got a job working at a local newspaper writing advertisements and special features. It was a fun environment and the work was great, but I started to wonder what it might be like to actually experience a new culture; what it might be like to be lost in a sea of people who don’t know my first and last name, or ask how my folks are.
I had some acquaintances who taught in Korea and started throwing out random emails. The responses were overwhelmingly positive: the kids are cute, the people are fantastic, and the beer and food are cheap. Sold!
I did a lot of research on teaching ESL and wanted to make sure that my decision was informed and that I was as prepared as I could be. Despite a few fights with my wildly overprotective dad (one day he banged his fist on the table and declared I would get hooked on Crystal Meth if I lived in Asia) and having to break it to my lifelong pals that I was leaving, I couldn’t have been more excited.
I boarded a plane on May 5, 2005 and flew into Incheon to begin my first year as a kindergarten teacher in Seoul. I taught immediately upon arrival with no training. I have never been more nervous or afraid in my whole life; I sweat profusely from places I didn’t know existed for weeks. I had co-workers who were wonderfully helpful and, after a few rocky months, I started to love my life as a teacher.
Korean culture was intimidating at first. I made a lot of cultural faux pas and likely offended a lot of very nice, undeserving people. But it was fantastic to be a part of something bigger than “previous” life. I ate everything I was dared to, drank far too much soju and learned as much of the language as I could (mostly the swears to impress friends at home). I travelled around the city and much of the country and took in everything I could. I skied, I hiked, I hung out with friends … I did everything I did at home, but it meant something more to do it all in Korea.
My year passed too quickly and I wasn’t ready to call it quits on my substitute culture, so I signed on for another year. This time, I owned my classroom and, to this day, have never felt as much pride as I did the day Matthew, my 7 year old smart ass, knocked on the teacher’s door and said, “Teacher, may I borrow your tape, please?”
I left in September 2007 to squander the money I’d saved in Europe for 3 months with the wonderful fella – and co-teacher – I met at my second school. We’re happy clams together in Vancouver and love being back in Canada now, but some of our best friends, and best memories, still reside in Korea.
I love hearing from teachers who are working at good jobs and are surrounded by good people who are looking for something more out of life. I know exactly what they’re missing, and I love helping them move forward on to something great, something exciting and something with a little more meaning.
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