I still remember my first two weeks of teaching. More specifically, I remember how much of a train wreck I felt like. I always seemed to have extra time at the end of class and I didn't know how to explain grammar structures in a way that made sense, nor did I include enough activities…
Day in and day out, it's easy to lose track of how much time has passed. As each day comes and goes in my new life, I sometimes forget that it's already been over two months since I first arrived in Korea: excited, hopeful, and a little overwhelmed. Now, as I sit in my 4th…
When I first applied to teach English in South Korea I had no idea how lengthy or intense the process would be. While the first few steps went rather quickly, there were many weeks spent in waiting for one thing or another before I could move further along in the process. If you have considered…
After two weeks of teaching, all I have to say is that teaching is hard. Quite possibly, it's one of the hardest things I have ever done. I tried not to kid myself going into it; I knew that my babysitting experience and time as a tutor for other college students would pale in comparison to what…
Continue reading ➞ Adventures in Teaching: My first two weeks as an educator
I'm sure you're expecting that me to say that when I arrived in Korea I was overwhelmed with culture shock. That these last few weeks have been an endless series of events that shocked and unnerved me, or even just caught me off-guard. While for many people, culture shock is common when visiting or moving…
Continue reading ➞ Korean Doctors, Elementary Night Owls, and Culture Shock
Every morning I wake up and the thrilling thought goes through my mind: I am living in South Korea. While it was a long and winding road that brought me here, I know that the underlying factor that ultimately landed me in Jinju is the fact that I chose to major in something I loved, despite the…
I can't believe an entire week has passed since I touched down at Incheon Airport in South Korea. Getting here was enough to make me avoid getting on another airplane for a long time, but I am happy to report that I have settled into my new home quite nicely. After arriving in Incheon,…
Although I arrived in Korea about three days ago, today was the first day I really had a chance to get out and explore--not for lack of time, but lack of energy. My travel was mostly sleepless, and my first night here was the same. I spent the first night unpacking my bags in the…
I am now two days out from leaving the US and traveling to South Korea to begin my journey as an English teacher. Time feels as though it has been moving slowly, yet it is hard to believe that nearly three months have passed. When I first found out I would be moving to Korea,…
Since making the decision to move to Korea I have gotten a lot of questions. Some of these questions come from friends and family, while others are from complete strangers who overhear a conversation I am having. I decided that answering these questions all in one place would be helpful for those who may be…
Christine in Korea 