Baby Steps In My First Week Living in Korea
I have just finished my first week in Yeongtong, Suwon, South Korea. Some accomplishments:
I have successfully navigated the subway (three stops away… baby steps): I met up with some of the other Suwon hagwon teachers in Ingyedong (another district that is more city like with a younger feel than Yeongtong) and I experienced my first Quiz Night at The Big Chill, another foreigner bar, This bar looks just like a college bar with a pool table, darts, and screens of sports playing. Sadly, our team did not win, but I did sink a pretty cool pool shot… Thanks Shawn (Potatoes).
I have sort of figured out the bus system: Again, baby steps, but hey made it out of my district
Bought grocery bags: You have to buy specific grocery bags, that are not that cheap may I say. I spent an hour in Home Plus, the you-can-get-anything-your-heart-desires store, looking for garbage bags in the cleaner/cleaning aisles. No luck. After asking numerous customers and store helpers, I found someone who finally showed me the bags were at the checkout. I can now properly separate my paper, plastic, bottles, and food waste in the correct bags.
Got my physical exam: This was a very interesting experience. You go to the hospital, and since the MERS outbreak you have to wear a mask and get your temperature checked. Then you put a hospital garb and then get shuffled from one room to another. It each takes less than 5 minutes. During my dental exam, they looked at my teeth for a second and ushered me out. The worst part was getting my blood drawn… small veins and being a little dehydrated did not help.
Finished my first week of teaching: So for the real reason I am here. I have loved my first week of teaching. I am constantly blown away by the skills of these students. I think my Tuesdays and Thursdays will be my favorite because I get to see some of my favorite students: my little first graders are all so eager to learn and so dang cute! I am still learning to talk slow and to find ways to make class fun, but it has been pretty easy thus far. I just do the planned out lesson plan from the books and grade. More posts to come about the school and the teaching curriculum!
I learned one Korean word!: Mul (water)… clearly getting far with becoming a master of the language. I am still trying to learn the Hangul alphabet and be able to read it. This website has helped so much!
My week has been filled with excitement. I feel really comfortable here and I am excited to keep exploring this amazing country. I have already made my bucket list here!