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Published: March 10th 2008
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My class
Brian, Louis, Sonia,
Sori, Alice, Angie Oh Korea,
My time in Korea is done, and it has been a long last month and a half. Difficult is to say the very least. To make a long story short…. things have turned in direction which has made my choice to leave very easy. I was moved to an apartment, thinking it would be better because the utilities wouldn’t be so high. Evidently, was my expectations were too high. My new apartment was definitely unique. I had to leave my shoebox of a room and go in to square corridor to enter my long tunnel of a bathroom. Even more pleasant my bathroom wasn’t heated and exposed to outside air for ventilation…but its only February! And to add to the fun and games of my living situation, there was dial that controls the hot water. Did it work consistently? HA…of course not. Showing up to work without a shower for days was oh so much fun.
The battles continued. Not just with the living situation, but with work. Another teacher and I felt like outcastes because we were refusing to sign another contract. The school was trying to manipulate us, making feel bad that we weren’t going
My class and I
They didn't want to pose for this picture at all. to help them (they were having a hard time finding new teachers to replace us). I was even rudely interrupted by the staff (literally putting candles on the cake) and was told I could not have my birthday party with my kids and their parents. A little over the top, I think!
Had a long conversation (bitch session) with one of the mothers about this.To have support from all the parents and not the school was…strange.
Situations like this continued, all the while the school was trying to convince me to stay longer. Why???… was my thought, everything with school has been a battle, and I was tired of fighting. But, I played the game, saying maybe, I wanted my severance on my contract date, and everything that was determined by my contract and that not being another battle.
Finally, I did get everything that was determined by contract, but then was pulled into a room by the owner and principal. They asked if I would stay longer since they haven’t found a replacement teacher (shocking), and I said I would stay until the end of February because the parents have asked me too. They didn’t like this
answer and basically asked the question “What is you biggest problem here” Lets just say, they didn’t like my answer.
Things did however calm down the last week and a half, and I left the school on a good note. With many hugs, and nice good-byes. And seeing my kids graduate was great. Angie my quiet one, who didn’t talk when I first met her, gave a speech in front of the school and the parents in perfect English….i was brought to tears. The good-byes with them were really hard, I cried and they kept hugging me. My seven-year-old kids graduated kindergarten finishing a first grade level of understanding in English (so they would be second grade in the US)…so bright they are! I truly loved my experience teaching and my kids just made it all the more rewarding.
On an ending note with Korea:
My favorite parts
-My kids…my kids
-Angie scoring a 100% on her end of year exam and speaking at the graduation.
-Alice even correcting my English during class, making silly jokes- being always outspoken and observant.
-Constantly telling Brian to calm down and sit down, and the hugs
he would give me through out the day.
-Just knowing that I made an impact among these kids.
-The family I created with Michelle and Erin-and other teachers.
-ERIN-and the bond we created through our experience.
-Finally being confident in my Korean speaking skills the last month I was there.
-The subway-clean and efficient.
-Exploring temple and palaces-learning of Korean culture and eating kimchi
-Finding Costco for the first time.
-Hiking in the fall time.
-Cute misguided phrases seen everywhere.
-Women hiking about in heels.
-Where there is no shame in vanity-women and men always in the mirror.
-Someone eating newspaper on the subway.
-Erin getting slapped on the head by an old man on the subway, so she would move from her seat.
-Being pushed by the older women.
-Giggles of teenagers and random “thank yous” and “hello” as they pass you.
-How people walk right into you…constantly dodging people.
-Spam (yes, the gross meat) coming in gift boxes during the holidays.
-Couples taking numerous pictures of each other in coffee shops, or just about anywhere
-Using a dial
Brian
He is heading to an international school for elementary...very difficult to get in. to get hot water which doesn’t work properly.
-Having an apartment where the bathroom is basically outside.
-Where the all the snack food is sweet somehow-does anyone like salt?
-The most beautiful perfect cakes in the bakeries but has no flavor.
-Where people go for a day hike and they are decked out in mountaineering gear.
-A store being there one day and the next day it’s a different store.
-Singing Christmas songs with the taxi driver in February.
-The stares and the pointing and hearing Me-guk(American).
-Knowing I can live in a foreign country, doing it….loving/hating it…will end up missing it.
Good-Bye Korea.
On my way to Malaysia......actually I am already here!
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Jeff from Seattle
non-member comment
Leaving Korea?
Hey Maggie, Your blog just popped into my e-mail, and I realized I subscribed to your blog a long time ago and forgot about it for a while. How are you? So I see your experience in Korea is a mixed one. Too bad the school didn't seem to respect you that much. They should have treated you (and other teachers) better. At least you had some supportive parents and kids. Hope your journey in Malaysia will be a good one!