Yesterday we took the bus to where ever in Korea we were going to be living. So, I got into Incheon with all the other Incheon teachers at about 1pm yesterday. We drove up to the education office, unloaded our stuff and walked into the building of frenzy of Korean teachers. Each school has a co-teacher that we will not only teach with but they will also be our mentors. So, my teacher (actually I have 2 but one doesn't really speak much English, I think she was there because she had a car) found me and then we were all rushed off. Rebekah and I just waved at each other and we haven't seen each other since. Anyways, the first stop was the school. I was really nervous because I had to have a formal introduction in front of the principle and vice principle. But, the principle has a much different role here. He is kind of untouchable and very important. He does not interact with the kids and is more of a figure head. I think the teachers were scared for me when I had to meet him. Both the vice principle a principle were very nice though and they tried to speak to me as much as they could. Next I went to the hospital to get a medical check so I can apply for an alien registration card. They are so much quicker then in the US, I was in and out in 30 minute and that included an x-ray and getting blood drawn. Then we stopped for lunch and the bank. Then they informed me that my apratment wouldn't be ready until Monday so I would be staying at another teacher's house until then. Yikes! The women is SOOO sweet to me but she doesn't speak much English at all. She has 2 daughters and they have been our translators. They are all really shy with me and they keep telling me how nervous they are. They like to talk with me though. I am the first American they have ever met and the first non-Korean they have ever had in their home. They had a really big fancy dinner and they said they only bring out the nice plates we were eating on when they have important guests. They keep calling me "pretty women, so pretty". I feel like a celebrity! Despite them being so nice and welcoming, it is still very awkward because it is hard to communicate. Plus, eating with chopsticks is not my forte. The dog hates me too! Every time I am in sight it barks it's head off at me. Today I am going to the school to just observe some. Every other Saturday they have school, so today happens to be that. I am glad I will be able to just watch a little though before I start teaching on Monday.
Anyways, I know I just wrote an entry, but so much has happened in the last few hours I thought it was worth writing about. Talk to you later.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
I'm Here!
So, I've made it to Korea! I actually arrived on the 22nd after a 21 hour total flight time. I watch 4 movies on the plane; I just couldn't sleep much. Anyways, I've been at orientation since I arrived, but we leave this morning for our permanent locations. I found out that I'm going to be in an Elementary school called YoungSun. We won't find out about housing until we get to Incheon (the city I'll be living in) today.
Everything has been going pretty well so far. There are some 400 people at the orientation who will be going all over South Korea. It kind of feels like I'm at summer camp at the moment. There are about 40 people who are going to my area. We've been taking lots of classes from cultural stuff, to lesson planning, to how to say some common Korean phrases, and everything in between. Most of the classes have been pretty interesting. We even went on a field trip one of the days which was cool. We went to a traditional Korean Folk Village. I think that has been my favorite day so far.
Well, I have to get my things packed because we leave in just a little bit. I get to meet the co-teacher I will be working with at my school, who will also be my mentor, my school, and my house. Not only that, but I start teaching Monday so I have to figure out what to actually teach, yikes! I may not have internet in for a while but I will try to update soon. Miss you all xoxo
Picture one is of me in my EPIK shirt enjoying the food (it's been a bit rough so far trying to find vegetarian stuff). The next is me looking confused while we were out looking around; then me and Rebekah; then a photo of my favorite meal so far; then me with Rebekah's "Crunky" bar; and Rebekah eating at the festival (they sit on the floor); the following ones are from the festival. There were dancers and tight rope walkers and we had a tour guide for a bit. The wicker thing is called a Dutch wife and they would sleep with it when it was hot out to let air circulate more.
These last photos at night are from when we went to the Seoul Tower. The night skyline was beautiful. You ride a gondola to the top. The pad locks were all locked along the fence and they call them love locks. Lots of people would write on them saying like, "Kim loves Park", etc. The lights all around were great.
These videos are from the festival:
Everything has been going pretty well so far. There are some 400 people at the orientation who will be going all over South Korea. It kind of feels like I'm at summer camp at the moment. There are about 40 people who are going to my area. We've been taking lots of classes from cultural stuff, to lesson planning, to how to say some common Korean phrases, and everything in between. Most of the classes have been pretty interesting. We even went on a field trip one of the days which was cool. We went to a traditional Korean Folk Village. I think that has been my favorite day so far.
Well, I have to get my things packed because we leave in just a little bit. I get to meet the co-teacher I will be working with at my school, who will also be my mentor, my school, and my house. Not only that, but I start teaching Monday so I have to figure out what to actually teach, yikes! I may not have internet in for a while but I will try to update soon. Miss you all xoxo
Picture one is of me in my EPIK shirt enjoying the food (it's been a bit rough so far trying to find vegetarian stuff). The next is me looking confused while we were out looking around; then me and Rebekah; then a photo of my favorite meal so far; then me with Rebekah's "Crunky" bar; and Rebekah eating at the festival (they sit on the floor); the following ones are from the festival. There were dancers and tight rope walkers and we had a tour guide for a bit. The wicker thing is called a Dutch wife and they would sleep with it when it was hot out to let air circulate more.
These last photos at night are from when we went to the Seoul Tower. The night skyline was beautiful. You ride a gondola to the top. The pad locks were all locked along the fence and they call them love locks. Lots of people would write on them saying like, "Kim loves Park", etc. The lights all around were great.These videos are from the festival:
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