Korea... Four Months On.

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September 13th 2006

Published: September 13th 2006

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nightrider_1980

Wecome Mr Dunk

My school received me with open arms.

It’s the middle of September, almost four months since arriving in Korea, where has all the time gone?

I arrived in a whirlwind of confusion back in May. After being taken straight to my school from my flight, looking rather disheveled and worn, I was introduced to my school master. An experience I will never, never forget. Initially I thought I might be turned away as this stern, serious looking man looked me up and down; I could tell he was thinking, “what is this they’ve sent us”. Then a smile broke and I’ve been treated like a king ever since. The formalities and paper pushing, lesson plans and the like, are often tedious, but it’s part of the job and I knew that before I started. The kids are fantastic and I don’t have any discipline issues like many English teachers I know, they are a joy to be around. School lunches are great as well, without the need for an Essex wide-boy to change the regime. I’m working in the public school system, so I’m actually an employee of the Korean government. Before starting work I (along with 90 other native English teachers) were sent to a hotel

My classroom

This is my nice, modern classroom. TV, Internet, air-con...

for an orientation. This week was not only good for teaching pointers and cultural awareness, but also a great opportunity to meet new friends. Indeed it was here that I met my girlfriend, Tiem. Tiem’s from London and strangely enough lived only a stones throw from me in Brixton, funny that we should meet halfway across the world. My friend’s Chelsea and David who I studied with in Ban Phe then traveled with have also come to Seoul; plus my friend Jennifer, who I worked with in London has just arrived. I’ve a nice group of people around me which makes me very happy.

I’m based in a city on the outskirts of Seoul called Ansan. It’s a new city and hardly aesthetically pleasing on the eye, but it has everything I need, and it’s only an hour into central Seoul. Seoul is a splendid city with plenty to do and see, there is always something going on. I’ve yet to explore much further than the outskirts of Seoul as I used my holiday time to jet off the Philippines (photos coming soon), but we’ve planned a trip down to Busan in a few weeks.

That’s kind of

My apartment

My apartment is new, clean, and cosy, just oh so small?

it. Well that’s it if you leave it four months to post a blog and forget all the little things that make living here so interesting. There will no-doubt be an update soon.

Until then…

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Kevin

nightrider_1980

Born and raised in Portsmouth, England, in a provincial area called Drayton. After school, college, and a year at Portsmouth Uni, studying predominantly Photography, Media and Film Studies, I left for Uni in Sheffield. Had a fantastic time 'studying' and successfully received a degree in Film Studies. Like many graduates I still had no clue as to what I wanted to actually do? After another year in Sheffield not doing much I decided to spice up my life with a move to London. Got a job at the National Film Theatre where I have spent the last 2.5 years. Since working in London I have de... full info