By the time I realized I have not been up to date on my posts, a year had gone by and with that, many of my friends have left Nongong and Daegu before the new term began. I am never homesick, but there have been lonely times pondering what people are doing and where they are now. Last year, new teachers arrived with excitement and curiosity but as the year waned, many became depressed and were anxious to go back home. Some never got a proper sendoff or last farewell with friends in Korea.
I thought about the ways future applicants can make their experience in Korea a little bit more satisfying--some factors that the applicant can control and other factors that Korean bureaucracy will manage.
First, the application process. For those who have experienced this on their own will get an introduction of what is to come by way of Korean mannerisms. And while it’s not mutually exclusive to just Koreans, a lot of patterns and certain actions will repeat. For example, “no news is good news” seems to be a popular mantra; so if you don’t hear from the main application office, hold your concerns off for a while. I do believe, however, that the best way to understand the system is to be proactive and apply through the consulate or embassy. This way, you can decide at any point whether or not the English program in Korea is best for you. If you go through a recruiter, they will gloss over the problems and make the experience a “dream”--in other words, very unrealistic. But if you apply through the consulate or embassy, you have to do all the necessary paperwork on your own, which gives you better insight of where things went and where they are in the process. Dealing with a middleman seems to be a lot more hassle when you are fully capable of doing the work on your own.
Second, learn the language. While it may seem unnecessary for English teachers to learn the language of your new home (Korea, in this case), it will certainly make your experience so much better. Being able to do things on your own will not make you feel helpless and it will broaden connections you may not have conceived before. People have different reasons and ambitions for learning a new language. For me, I want to challenge myself and see how far I can get in Korean during my 2-3 year stint here. I want to take the TOPIK language exam and see what happens from there. For others, the ease of communication with mere friends and strangers alike brings a sense of joy and accomplishment. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; you have to learn quickly the hard way!
Recently, I had to go to the bank to get a new passbook, which is an option if you want to deposit, withdraw, or transfer money. When I went to the counter to make a request, the employee thought I wanted to transfer all my money back home to the United States. In the midst of confusion, I had told the woman that I was an American but she thought that I wanted to make a final transfer of all my funds. That would have ended badly! So I had to use my cellphone to translate quickly of my intention to get a new passbook. She eventually got it. No matter how much you prepare in advance (I had written down what I wanted to say and showed it to her, but she assumed more from what I had written.) In any case--be flexible, make note of what happened, learn from it, and try not to make the same mistake.
Third, know the REAL reason why you are. You come here to technically teach in Korea. I say technically because you are not the same as a Korean teacher who is qualified to teach the required age group and subject. I came here as a stepping stone in becoming a qualified teacher once I return to the United States. I make no illusions as to living in Korea forever because of family and my health; however, I am still dealing with WHEN I will go back home because there seems to be so much I need to accomplish before I get back--some of which are clear while others not so much. On the other hand, don’t come to Korea only because you had nothing else better to do or could not get a job back home. Your life will be so miserable, become depressed, unsatisfied, and unfulfilled. Come here with a reason. A year will seem very long for you if you don’t come here with a plan. (Or in my case, a year is too damn short!) Yes, you can have fun too. I love to travel within the country on the weekends and exercise and meet people, but also remind yourself that you’re here for the kids--respect the fact that you should not give hell to your students even though they will (Remember when you were a student? You weren’t that perfect either for a lot of reasons.)
Moreover, do not lock yourself in. There is a term that I use called “reverse Chinatown.” Back in the early 20th century, the Chinese came to America but most eventually heard about San Francisco. The influx of the Chinese in SF helped create a tight knit community in a very segregated time. The Chinese eventually had their own Chinatown due to city’s policy to place them away from other ethnic groups. But that was fine because the Chinese could survive--they had their cleaners, grocery store, mail office, homes, schools, parks, etc. in a 10-15 block radius--which served them quite well. By design, the Chinese were not allowed to leave their Chinatown or else they would get beaten and punished; they had to be complacent with what they had and not seek the “world” outside of their niche.
By way of “reverse Chinatown,” foreigners lock themselves inside their comfort zone afraid to go out, challenge themselves, and seek out what is out there. The difference, however, is that the foreigner has a conscious decision to open up to society and not live like a hermit in “The Hermit Kingdom.” The more you seclude yourself, the more you will hate Korea, yourself, and your life. I find that there’s so little time to meet people and see awesome places to fuck around, drink your life away, cry, and mope. Easier said than done, if you feel that depression or homesickness is really hitting you hard, discuss your problems with someone who will truly listen to your needs.
Fourth, do your research and be open-minded. When coming over to a new country, you want to understand the culture so as to not offend the other party. When applying for a new job, you do your research to understand what the job entails. You want to be on top of the game and not be caught off-guard; and if you’re caught off-guard, you have to think quickly to take command of that situation. There are a lot of things that will seem too good to be true on the “informational” website, presentations, etc. For example, if your school will appear to be perfect with students ready and excited for English class. Be in for a surprise. If anything, you will have students ambling through your classroom, throwing trash and obscenities, sleeping on desks, text messaging friends, downloading games and videos onto the class computer (possibly infecting it with viruses), students smoking and spitting in the hallways (yes, you read that right!) and bathrooms, and picking fights with defenseless students.
The information you may be given in English may not be sufficient. So always refer back to the original Korean and get help via Google Translate or a competent Korean who has a grasp of English.
Fifth, ask specific questions to your co-teacher DIRECTLY about the school curriculum, expectations, changes to schedule (ever-constant), and ability to drift from the textbook. Each school is different so you have to know what’s considered appropriate and what falls within the means of reason. If you have suggestions on improving the English class or program, bring them up to your co-teacher; however, not all of your needs and concerns will be fulfilled--expect that but you may also be in for a pleasant surprise. In my case, they had no idea or direction regarding the English curriculum so they relied on my input and tried to implement more English programs through English immersion in other subjects and activities. However, the students’ abilities are too low to administer drastic change to the system and it would take years to see any positive results, which would be futile given our efforts. By that time, the entire staff and I would be gone.
Realize that you may have more than ample time to lesson plan and prepare for classes. Use this time wisely. Okay, I admit, I can waste my time with emails and Facebook at times, but I choose mostly to follow up on novel ways to energize my students, study Korean, or do my research on going to grad school to be a certified teacher. You will have to desk-warm during the off-season so use this time to your advantage--don’t waste it.
For me, everything that was presented at the orientation was on a false pretense. Although my school has an English classroom, it is not equipped with the latest smartboard or Samsung gadgets. My students cannot draw well. My students are below grade level competency--beyond failure. My students do not go to hagwons, cram schools. The high school students can be “little shits”. My co-teacher does not work with me in concert; I am sometimes teaching alone--really teaching, YES! I am far from Daegu city; the max cab fare is not 7,000W--for me it could be almost 35,000W…
I am an invisible race, which is mostly good for my school because most were able to accept me and not be fixated on appearances. However, making friends with Koreans is a little harder because they want a “typical” Western looking person to speak to. And in this day and age, it is troubling and frustrating to be ignored by Koreans who want to kiss ass to Westerners merely by looks and not English competency or ability. If you don’t look pretty, you won’t get the attention. I thought I had left California?
And despite all the promises that were under delivered, I still feel accepted and challenged in Korea. And so...
A new school year has started for me, and with that there are some changes to a familiar environment. Korea is always in a state of change--even on a smaller scale such as the small area of Nongong, where I live. Establishments close up unannounced and reopen a week later. There is a new coffee shop and for some reason, even more cell phone stores. The controversial dam and river widening/restoration project along the Nakdong River that runs along Nongong and Daegu city is just about complete. Now the next phase of construction and beautification will probably take place. Work is also be done on subway Line 1 which will be closer to Nongong--but not go to Nongong. The monorail, Line 3, is under construction and will be complete in two years.
Perhaps, Daegu’s biggest epiphany was the 2011 IAAF Track and Field World Championships. Of all the ways that Daegu could have botched it up, the city did a pretty good job with the organization and planning. Not bad for a city to showcase one of its biggest events in years since the 2002 World Cup. There were minor problems. Firsthand, I got to see the lodging situation by booking a “love motel” for my friends. While the conditions are okay, it can be a little unsettling for the foreigner to accept something more than a place that charges by the hour. I am surprised that the mannerisms and strong Daegu dialect didn’t harbor any difficulties for my friends. After all, Daegu is known in Korea for being a tough city that can leave many feel dissatisfied. Now that the events are over and the fanfare is gone, I hope to be in Moscow 2013 for the next IAAF Championships.
With regard to school, it’s been sad to see some students come and go due to personal circumstances. But for the most part, students have been opening up and are more comfortable to speak with me in either Korean or English. And to prove that I am serious about learning Korean, they see me make mistakes and see the practice exams I have to complete. Hopefully, they will understand my situation and follow my example. Some students are sponges, soaking in everything they see and hear. So be careful how you act and behave before, during, and after school hours. It’s a good thing I don’t drink or smoke in my off-hours.
My school also has a Japanese Native teacher. He’s about my age and is living in Guji (poor him). And it’s rather interesting that the most I’ve had to practice my Korean is with a Japanese teacher, during the short time he’s been here! Sometimes it can be frustrating because he will catch me off-guard asking questions I don’t wholly understand but it has really enhanced and expedited my Korean ability. Fair enough, however, is the fact that he is Korean but lived his life in Yokohama, Japan. I kind of wish I had this kind of practice earlier in my first year, but better late than never.
Looks like my Korean baseball predictions have failed me. Samsung Lions is sitting pretty in first place with 6-7 games ahead of second place, Lotte Giants, and will be in the finals. I’m still baffled at their current standing because they lack the big names in their bullpen and they seem to use all their energy before the 6th inning and either lose or narrowly win their games. This year, the baseball season is not about the strongest teams on top; rather, it has been the teams who have lost the least. Samsung is still not a team that could have beat SK Wyverns of 2010, winner of the KBO series. Teams in 3rd and 4th place, SK Wyverns and KIA Tigers respectively, have succumbed to players battling injuries and replacements in management positions. Last year, SK Wyverns easily won the regular season with 84 wins and 47 losses and eventually won the final championships. This year, with Samsung on top, it’s not likely that they will win more than 75 games in the season. However, what Samsung does have is consistency in skills across the board, lucky against injuries (so far) in its bullpen, and an awesome closing pitcher, Oh Seung-Hwan, with more than 200 saves through the 2011 season. Unfortunately, compared to other teams there aren’t that many standout players that are worth mentioning. If Samsung goes against Lotte, it will be a toss up; regular season consisted of 9 wins, 9 losses, and 1 tie; about even...so it will not be pretty in the final.
I will try to update more often soon! But I’m always too caught up in the moment to write about what happened in the past.
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