An Ocean Away

Well, I'm here. In my big apartment..........survived the first and second night last night. ^^ Orientation ended for us on Saturday, thank goodness. *lol* It's bitter sweet though because I'll miss some of the people I've gotten to know during orientation. Everyone found out their schools the night before we leave, but I waited until the day that we're leaving to check what school I got. ^^ Since the list is already posted, what difderence does it make when I check it? Anyways, the next day (Saturday) we all piled onto our designated buses (I was on bus #21) and we made our way out of Suwon and into Seoul. The bus ride to Seoul felt like we've all been let out of jail. *lol* There was excitement as well as nervousness in the air. What's our school like? What are the students like? What are our colleagues like? Where will I be living for the year? What's the size of our apartments? So many questions floating around as we neared Seoul and our pick up spot.




Our bus parked in the parking lot of a middle school and there were a lot of school representatives there to pick us up. I was unsure how thinsg will turn out as I gathered my heavy luggages. Schools were walking around with signs with our names on it, so walked around trying to look for a sign with my name on it. ^^ I finally spotted a girl around my age and an older lady walking around with my name on a sheet of paper so I went up to them and said "Hi! I'm Heather!" And I showed them my name tag (so cheesy). *lol* Turns out the girl is going to be one of my coteachers and the lady is the school's accountant who will also be incharge of my salary. ^^ They told me that the vice-principle also came to pick me up so we gathered my luggage to his car. ^^ I felt so touched that the Vice-Principal came to pick me up too. ^^ Looking around most of the other people only had 1 or 2 people coming to pick them up, so I feel blessed that the vice-principal came to welcome me too. ^^ They took me to my apartment which turns out to be in the boonies in the north-eastern corner of Seoul. I felt so isolated from everybody. But my co-teacher, Ji Hyun, and the accountant and vice-principal seemed very nice and welcoming that I felt more at ease. I talked to Ji Hyun the entire car ride to my apartment which was nice. ^^ I think we'll get along just fine. ^^ My apartment turns out to be fairly big! ^^ There's even a loft! ^^ And Mrs Yoon (the accountant) was so nice to also buy me a rice cooker and water. ^^ Check out the video below for more info about my apartment. ^^



They taught me how to use all the appliances in the apartment. Then Ji Hyun helped me reset my apartment lock. ^^ I feel more secure now in my apartment. ^^ In the evening, Ji Hyun took me shopping across the street in HomePlus (so convenient) for household good. ^^ She's so nice. ^^ Then we met up with her boyfriend and we had dinner in the fast food section in Homeplus and they also helped me buy more stuff for my apartment like a drying rack, mop and hanger. ^^ I'm so grateful towards them. ^^

On Sunday, I finally got the chance to meet up with Gwang-hee. ^^ Yay!! ^ I miss seeing him after so long. ^^ He took me to the Korean National Museum to see the Egypt exhibit in Icheon. ^^ It was fun but there were a lot of peole because it was the last day. ^^ Afterwards, we took the train to Konkuk (his area) and he treated me to a very yummy dinner at this Korean restaurant famous for grilling (I don't know what they call it in Korean). The food was sooooo good!!!!! ^^ Yummy!!!! ^^ Afterwards, we walked around Konkuk and then we went to Lotte Shopping Centre and I bought more household items from E-mart for my apartment. ^^

On our way back to my apartment, we missed our stop because we were busy looking at his cell phone pictures. At first we thought we just went over 4 stops, but it turns out we went over 10 stops. But finally we made it back and we went to Homeplus again so that I can pick up a trash bin and fruits. ^^ It felt awesome hanging out with Gwanghee again. ^^ Big hugs for him! ^^ I've missed him since he came back here a year and a half ago. ^^ I'm grateful. ^^ Pictures to come soon because I'm currently not using my laptop (no internet connection yet. My co-teacher friend Ji Hyun lent me her laptop for 2 days so that I can keep in touch with everyone. ^^ She's so sweet!! Plus her mom is so sweet to because she gave Ji Hyun fruts to give to me. ^^ I've gotta do something in return for her soon to pay her back for her kindness.

Today is my 2nd day in S. Korea. So just a recap of the going ons.

I'm currently in Suwon University in Suwon for the week long orientation. It's hot and humid here. I've met people from all over the world. And I found out today that I will be teaching High School. >< Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Whatever the case, I hope I'll survive! *lol*

I need to get a cell phone, internet and ESL teaching materials............wish me luck!

Oh! And I want to let all of you back home know that I'm here, I'm safe, and I'm well! ^^

More to come later ^^

Sorry for all the lame "yeah" "umm" fillers. *lol* This is my first try! ^^ Please cut me some slack! *lol* ^^

I hope This works.... ^^ I have no idea why the sound is slower than the action though.... ><

Now that I'm standing on the brink of beginning an adventure of a lifetime, I think it only makes sense that I document my journey thus far. So here it is for all future Canadian ESL teacher wishing to teach with a public school in South Korea, listen up.

When I decided to teach ESL in South Korea, I quickly enrolled myself with TESOL College http://www.globaltesol.com/ to get my teaching certificate. It's not a must if you want to teach in private schools, but since I'd plan to go with public school from the beginning, I have to get at least the 120hours certificate in order to be qualified to teach with the public school board. I chose the 240 hours diploma package so that guarantees me 5 specializations instead of just 1. I think this is a good investment since I'll be pretty well-rounded when it comes to teaching in the end. I want to be an efficient teacher, I don't want to half-ass my way through the duration of my contract! ^^ TESOL certificate - CHECK. ^^

Next, I waited until around April to check up on SMOE job postings for the Fall 2009 term. ^^ I found a great, but small agency called Eduvisor who's been wonderful when it comes to getting things done on time. ^^ I followed their instructions and sent them:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Photo
• 3 Reference letters
  

• Filled out SMOE online application form
• Personal essay
• Lesson Plan

• Original degree
• Photocopy version of degree notarized by a lawyer
• Original Security Check
• Photocopy version of Security Check notarized by a lawyer
• 1 Sealed University transcript (bye bye 1st sealed transcript)
• Fee: $4.40 for the 2 documents
• Passport

• 2 passport sized color photos
• Photocopy of my passport
• 3 signed contracts and the addenda (my recruiter e-mailed it to me)
• Photocopy version of Bachelors degree that's been notarized and stamped.
• Photocopy version of Security check that's been notarized and stamped.
• 1 sealed University transcript
• Photocopy of TESOL teaching certificates
• My mailing address
  

• a filled-out X-presspost return envelope (because I'm from out of town)
• Completed Visa Application form (you can download it from the Consulate Office site here: http://can-vancouver.mofat.go.kr/eng/am/can-vancouver/mission/locations/index.jsp)
• 1 passport photo attached to the application form
• Original & photocopy version of my passport
• $55 visa fee
• Photocopy of TESOL certificates
• Original University Degree & the notarized stamped version of degree
• 1 Sealed University transcript
• 1 copy of Contract with the superintendent seal in red on the back
• Notice of Appointment letter
• Photocopy of your notarized stamped security check.

There is officially 10 more days left before I fly out. I can't believe it.....

I have already quit my job at the hospital so....wow, I'm really doing this!

People have been asking me, "are you excited?" Well....I don't know. I don't think I'm excited. I think I'm somewhere in between excitement and nervousness. So am I jumping up and down and spazzing out because I'll be flying out soon? No. I feel pretty mellow right now. I feel neutral. I guess I don't know how to react. Spazzing out with excitement or avoiding the imminent day out of fear and uncertainty.........I don't fear the circumstances that I'll be putting myself into. I don't fear the thought of leaving a routine life for something different. What I'm nervous about is the unknown. I need to know what to expect so that I can remain in control. And this "not-knowing" what I'm getting myself into is really eating away at my nerves.........I hate feeling vulnerable. But I guess there is nothing much I can do except to go with the flow and cross my fingers and pray that everything will turn out fine. After all, this is something that I must do, this is a step that I must take.

I am currently swamped with packing, appointments, errands, dinner dates, etc. I don't want to leave out anything. I want to be able to fly with a sound mind that I have organized everything back home to the best of my abilities so that my mom can easily find documents that I might need, or things that I might need to get sent over, etc.

A lot of people have been telling me, "You're going to love it there, you won't want to come back." I don't think so, I will come back home after one year because home is where the family is. Plus, I plan to continue with theater after this 1 year stint, so I need to be back! ^^ I won't stay longer than what my contract states. And contrary to people's belief, I will not get myself into a relationship while I'm over there! So rest assured, Mom! ^^ My only purpose to go to South Korea is to learn about a different culture, to learn to become independent, and to challenge myself to tackle a different kind of performance: Teaching. I want to inspire others and be inspired in return. It's the only way I can grow.

The only routine I will have while I'm in South Korea is: Teach; Learn; Friends; Shop; Temple. ^^

I vow to be a fragrant flower.

바라옵건데,
아름다운 향기를 줄 수 있는 한 송이 꽃이 되게 하옵소서.

I vow to be a bridge that binds.
바라옵건데,
사람들이 오고 가고 만나는데 이로운 다리가 되게 하옵소서.

I vow to be a tree that shades all passersby.
바라옵건데,
길 가는 이들에게 시원한 그늘이 될 수 있는 한 그루

나무가 되게 하옵소서.

I vow to be a quenching stream for travelers.
바라옵건데,
나그네의 피로한 마음을 어루만지고 갈증을 덜어주는 맑은

샘물이 되게 하옵소서.

I vow to be a lamp that shows the way.
바라옵건데,
어두운 길 밝히고 마음에 빛을 주는 등불이 되게 하옵소서.

Please grant me the strength to achieve everything I've set out to achieve.......