4 Score And ............

Four score and....actually a month ago, I was brought forth onto this continent and new nation. I have slightly adapted and have made numerous, make that countless mistakes. I bet no one knew how hard you have to work at daily life in a foreign country. Making food, buying food, getting around, and attempting to use chopsticks is a huge hassle. If I need to go shopping I build my whole day around a trip to the Lotte Mart, which is a 10 minute walk from my house. I have to make sure I have everything I need. Warm enough clothes, mittens to cushion my hands while carrying the bags back, my dictionary, notebook with useful phrases, money, alien card, camera just in case, 100W coin so I can get a shopping cart, and my Zune to listen to some tunes! So right away I'm slightly weighed down. Then once I get there and ask the nice people where to find things, by pointing at my dictionary and them dragging me around. I start my trek home. Half way home my arms start to shake and I feel like I can't go on but I man up and make it home and almost collapse! But for real, my bags do drop to the floor. That usually takes me about a couple hours. Then I put things away and start to cook food. So really it takes me about 3-4 hours to complete things but by this time I'm warmed up again in my apartment, full, satisfied, and then it's time for either a nap for some good old facebook!

I'm not lying! This is my typical weekend. Then the next day I have to start planning lessons so that I don't have to do it during the week because I'm extremely lazy in the mornings and after school I really don't want to do any more school work. I'm just like that. However, now that I have some foreign friends my weekends will slowly start to fill and I'll actually have to do a fulls days worth of work during the week so I can have my weekends free. I don't know why but for some reason I'm resenting having friends and a life at times like this! ;-)

But, back to the interesting things. I went to a buffet at the big bus station, which is really like a giant mall. And yes, the buffets are like the buffets back home but with all Asian food. I didn't even ask what I was eating because I really didn't want to know. I know I ate some octopus, squid, snail, mussel, raw tuna and crab, and the other stuff I just couldn't figure out. I did have a few normal dishes like beef stirfrye and some sweet pork. Overall it was delicious! They just kept forcing more and more food on me and finally I told them no more! I ate the least out of them but I'm the fattest one here! These skinny little Asians sure can eat and I have no idea as to where they pack it away! I took a sideways glance at the ice cream and gained 5 pounds! ;-)
But, I have to get going. I have to make my bed on the heated floor because I still haven't figured out how to work the heat here. I can only work the heated floor. It's the coldest day this year so far. Brrrrrr! It's -10C, I'm sorry to all my fellow Wisconsinites I'm becoming weak to cold temps over here in this mild climate!

The art of teaching a snowball fight!

Yesterday we finally had our first snowfall here so the kids were pretty excited, just like the ones back home get. However, I never thought that it would be a common occurrence to have your students bring you snowballs in your classroom when you're on the third floor in a business district. ??????????

Well anyways, I started to lay the smack down. I was trying to tell them not to bring snowball into the classroom and not to throw it inside. Needless to say, I eventually gave up. This snow was like a super sugar high to the max! No one could concentrate! Books were already out of the question and even the games I painstakingly made up were a flop due to this devil, white substance! But eventually, for my last class I gave in to them. I told them they had to do some learning, my super awesome game I made up, and then for the last part of class we'd have a snowball fight in the parking lot. Yes, I taught them how to snowball fight for English class! It was so much fun! It's not like back home where it gets dangerous and is no fun. We ran around like 5 year olds screaming and laughing. It was the best medicine I've had since I've been here. They totally recharged me in those 15 minutes we spent together. The only down side was that it was gang up on the teacher snow fight. Oh well, I showed them American style. I got them all good! Muhahaha!

I really needed that snowball fight because every Tuesday and Thursday my first class is my devil class! They a bunch of first graders that make me want to cry every class. I've never been bullied so much in my life but I feel a little better because I get to make them kneel in the corner with their hands raised for ten minutes if they're bad. I sit there and think in my head, how do you like that! I don't know who's more mature, me or them!! Hahaha!

So far the time I've spent here has been memorable, the whole 3 weeks of it! I'm wondering when I'm going to hit bottom with the culture shock. So far I've been right around normal. I wake up, get ready, go to work, go home, plan some lessons, dink around, and go to bed. Nothing very special but nothing terrible. I think that it's nice to have a routine when you're doing this so that you don't really miss home that much. However, most of my happiness, I'm sure, comes from skype! What a great invention! I call home to update everyone and talk about my days. The best part is that it's free and it's a video phone! The only downer is the time difference and they eat good American food in front of me! Talk about rude! I'm starving over here eating eggs and rice while they're eating steak and potatoes!

Well, until next time! Peace out!

To Teach Or Not To Teach!

So yesterday marked the end of my first week of teaching. I'm physically and mentally depleted! I really only teach for 6.5 hours a day but I also have to make up my lesson plans, so that really rounds me up to about 8 hours. I don't know what I expected when I came over here but it's totally different than what I thought. Most people would be suprised by me. The normally controlling, bossy Shayna has mellowed out a lot. I decided I can't take this too seriously especially since it's my first week.



I spent the whole week stuggling each class to assess where they were at level-wise, where they were at in their books, what they did before with the previous teacher, and if they didn't have books I had to figure out my own lessons. I'm not going to lie, I barely made it through this week. I also got the flu and now a bad cold is just lingering. Man, what stress will do to you.


I'm guessing that I'll struggle through a few more weeks before I get the hang of things. I really thought that there would be lesson plans or a more strict curriculum but I guess it's all up to me. I also thought that I would be paired up with a Korean teacher but I'm on my own. I also haven't received any help from the other teachers. For the most part the other teachers stay out of each others way and don't relaly interact. Oh well, I guess my rosey image of making friends with the other teachers is out.


Even though I complain a lot, I still really like this job so far. The kids are really nice. Most of them are more interested in me than in English. The only reason they speak English to me is because they're curious about me and I can't speak Korean. Almost every student HATES English but my love for Harry Potter and Twilight has made me a lot of student friends.


Some of my students bring me food every day. Julie an 11 year old girl brought me some bread her and her mom made, the next time she brought me sweet-potatoe cookies she made, some Korean oranges the next time, and she made me some Korean flashcards. Aother student, I can't remember his name, brings me candy every day. Other students like to bring me spicy food because they think that the weird foreign teacher will react funny but to their suprise I love spicy food! Hahaha jokes on you guys! ;-)


I feel kinda bad that I can't remember my students' names but I have about 130 students! Most of them I only teach them for an hour once a week. The first and second graders are the only ones I teach twice a week. However, they go to the other teachers other days of the week so they all stop by my classroom to hang out and chat if I'm not busy. I think my main role in this school is to be a foreigner, so the school can say that they have a native English speaker teaching here. I'm also here for pronunciation and conversation. I've also decided that my class is going to be the fun class with lots of games. That makes it more fun for me too! ;-)


Next on my list to conquer in this city is to figure out where I can buy TP and garbage bags! Those two very important items seem to be hiding from me in all the marts that I find! Guess I'll have to walk my but over to the Lotte Mart and search there and then trudge my way back carrying a ton of crap. At least I'll get to walk by the World Cup Stadium again.


Peace! Until next time!

Kimchi

The question of the day is ................. "Exactly how many different types of Kimchi are there?"

Word on the street here in Gwangju, SK, they say there are at least 192 different types of Kimchi! They vary with region and season. I trust these people too, based on the fact that Gwangju is home of the Kimchi-fest every year! However, I know it doesn't hold a candle to Rutabaga Festival! Am I right fellow Cumberlonians? ;-)

Anyways, just thought I'd let you know how delicious Kimchi was. I don't really like the cabbage version, seeing as I don't really like cabbage, but it's ok. My favorite is the raddish version! Now that's lip-smacking deliciousness!

This picture is just a few of the varieties of Kimchi. If I listed them all off I would feel like Bubba talking about shrimp!

Arrival After a Lifetime of Travelling

I finally arrived in the Incheon/Seoul airport after, what seems like, a lifetime of travelling. You know with the 7 hours it took to drive down to Chicago so that I could pick up my visa and fly out from the Chicago O'hare international airport. I had a 3.5 hour layover in SanFransisco, plus the 12 hour flight to Incheon, South Korea.

After arriving at the airport in South Korea I went through customs, which wasn't bad at all. All they did was stamp me and I was in. Then I had to take a 4.5 hour bus ride to Gwangju, my city. But I had to make sure to tell the lady giving me the ticket that I wanted Gwangju City in Jeollanam Province. Otherwise I would end up in Gwangju on the other side of Korea. By some miracle I made it on the right bus by asking a lot of people, who couldn't understand me but I just thrust my ticket at them. Luckily a nice coulple pushed me onto the right bus! Whew!

The next problem was finding the people who were supposed to meet me at the bus station. Where was I supposed to meet them? No one told me that!! But fortunately they got there early and saw me as the only foreigner and came and grabbed me right away. By this time it was 11pm and I had been traveling for 28 hours! Me so sleepy!!

I however, didn't get to go to bed right away, they insisted on taking me on a tour around the area to show me everything. I feel sorry for them because I was so delerious with sleep that I didn't see a thing and my responses were very limited. They eventually showed me to my apartment, which I still don't know the address of.

The aparment reminds me of a dorm, with a tiny kitchenette and a little ity-bity bathroom. But it's my home and I like it, minus the mold and dirt!

Well, anyways, I'll write down some more adventures later until then I need to learn some hangul!!

Steps to teaching ESL in Korea!

So I was thinking that I would help some people out with the information that I've gained by going through this process. These are the steps I took and approximate times.

• STEP 1: I searched the net for a good recruiter with good reviews. I personally went through Teach ESL Korea. www.teacheslkorea.com

• STEP 2: I filled out the application for the recruiter and picked a good picture that showed I had a great smile and liked kids. They say that your picture basically gets you the job so be sure to pick a good one.

• STEP 3: Get your background check done at the state level. I should have started this earlier because it's a lengthy process. You also have to get it apostilled! So get this started ASAP! The form for WI criminal record check is at this website www.doj.state.wi.us/DLES/CIB/forms/cib/djle250.pdf
The form to get it apostilled in WI is at this website www.sos.state.wi.us/pdf/certificate_request_form.pdf
I recommend using the overnight shipping from the USPS to save on time because it's not that expensive.

• STEP 4: Interview with a school. The recruiter will find a school for you and you'll set up a phone interview. The questions they ask you vary greatly. I interviewed with a few schools. One interview they just chatted with me to see how well I spoke and asked why I wanted to go to Korea and if I had any questions. The other school asked me what I would do in certain situations, my experience teaching, and some other teacher specific questions. I went on line before the interviews and looked over some sample teacher interview questions that they use in schools in the US just to get me thinking in the mindset of a teacher. However, don't worry about it too much. If you get an interview that means that they think you're already qualified. They're just checking to see if they can understand you. You're already 99% sure to get the job if you can speak English clearly.

• STEP 5: Sign the contract that the school sends you via e-mail. Make sure to print out a couple of copies at least 3. One gets sent to your school, one you keep, and I recommend keeping a copy of all of your documents at home with your parents just in case. I also highly recommend you check over this contract very carefully because this could make or break your stay! You want to make sure your pay is on there and when they pay you. There should also be information on overtime if it's mandatory, optional, and how much you get paid. Also check over housing arrangements, firing policy, tickets over there and back, and vacation. If you have any questions e-mail them and ask them. They also might want you to scan and send them the page that you signed on the contract.

• STEP 6: Now you'll need to send your documents to Korea. They recommend FedEx or UPS. I used USPS Global Express because they partner with FedEx and I needed it sent out on a Saturday. It takes 3 days to get there and it cost about $48. Also don’t forget to e-mail your school the tracking information.

o The signed contract
o Your original degree (no photocopies will be accepted!)
o 1 set of Sealed university transcripts (unopened)
o Copy of the Info Page in your Passport
o 4 color passport photos (only original photos will be accepted)
o A Signed copy of your resume with correct address and contact information
o Criminal Record Check:
 Must be issued within last 6 months
 Must be notarized on the original criminal record check by Apostille
o Medical Statement Form www.teacheslkorea.com/_functions/downloads/medical_statement_form.pdf
 Complete the 'Health Statement' form and send it to Korea.
 Once you arrive in Korea, visit a general hospital or community health center to obtain medical exam certificate to apply for Alien Registration at a local immigration office within 90 days of arrival.

• STEP 7: Wait for your school to send you your E2#. It takes about 4-10 days. It takes longer in the peak season.

• STEP 8: Once you get your E2 number you need to call the Korean consulate. The Chicago Korean Consulate can be reached at (312) 822-9485. You’ll need to schedule an appointment for an interview. They also only do visa services on Wednesday and Fridays! If you live far away 8-10 hours or more you might be able to do it over a webcam but you’ll need to contact them and see. Otherwise, if you’re in a hurry or close you need to make the haul in there to sit for a 5 minute interview of pointless questions. Just for you idiots out there, if they ask you anything about drugs you don’t know anything and you’ve never done them!!! They are HUGE on drugs there!
o You’ll need to fill out a visa application with your E2# on the top www.teacheslkorea.com/_functions/downloads/visa_form.pdf
o Passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
o Passport photo
o $45 money order (for US). They don’t accept personal checks.
o Sealed university transcripts
o Filled out interview form www.teacheslkorea.com/_functions/downloads/interview_form.pdf
o Prepaid postage return envelope for them to return your passport. In WI it takes 2-3 days to get your visa plus mailing time.

Just in case you qualify to have a webcam interview this is some information you’ll need.
o Latest version of MSN messenger
o Provide your e-mail address to the consulate (hotmail.com or live.com only) and add lch2719@hotmail.com as your friend on MSN Messenger.
o You must submit all your paperwork before the interview

• STEP 9: Once you get your visa then you can be on a plane flying over to South Korea!! Yay! The paperwork hell is over and you can relax and pack!!

Swept Away

As the time draws near, I'm starting to prepare for my departure. I'm not only physically preparing, like packing, but I'm also getting mentally prepared for the culture change and they many hardships I'll likely face this coming year. While preparing I'm reminded of a quote by J.R. Tolkien..............

"It's dangerous business,..., going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."

I'm ready to be swept off my feet! I've always been a bit of a control freak and it's hard for me to let things go. However, I've already decided that this trip is my freedom! I'm graduated from college, I'm single, and I don't have a career tying me down. I'm out to explore, try new things, and to be a little reckless!

Soon I'll be enjoying Korean manhwas, norabong, and soju! I'm already feeling slightly sorry for the Korean population for having to hear me sing! Hahaha! Well, maybe with practice I'll sound mediocre. So for the future ......... to all Koreans, I'm very sorry for assaulting your ears with my horrible drunken bellering at the norabong! Please forgive me and teach me the ways of sweet melodies! ;-)

Well, back to packing and wrapping up loose ends back here in the US!

Situation Summation

So here is the gist of my situation, as of now.

I accepted a position of an ESL teacher at Eastern English School in South Korea. The city I chose was Gwangju, which has 1.5 million people! Coming from Cumberland, Wisconsin with a population of 2,280, it'll be a huge shock!!

Anyways, I just started this process just over 3 weeks ago and I'm leaving in another 2 weeks. I guess it only takes 5 weeks to revamp your life! I was just a single girl, living at home with mom and dad, waiting tables at a local bistro and slowly approaching my quarter life crisis. Now, I will be a single girl, living in my own apartment in Gwangju, teaching conversational English to impressionable young minds and I might be able to avoid having a quarter life crisis! See, much better!! ;-)

So now I have to finish getting my visa together by traveling the 7 hour trip down to Chicago to go to the Korean consulate for a 5 minute interview. I know, it's a total waste of time! 14 hours of driving for them to ask me why I'm going to South Korea, do I do drugs, and what I know about Korean culture. But, I just do as I'm told because I don't have time to piss and moan about how retarded governments can be.