So there are zero excuses. I wish I could say I was busy, but quite frankly that's a lie. Plenty of my friends have been on the blogging train reliably...I, however, wish to spend my down time with netflix in my house instead of blogging. My bad.
Enough of the introduction, to get quick to the point, this post will have no pictures. I am currently sitting at my desk at school, deskwarming, and finally decided to tackle this monster of a post. Honestly, I'm not going to even try to say all of the things that have happened over the past two months, so I will go over a few key points, and give a brief explanation of my current feelings, k? Not that I need your approval, but I thought I would ask....
Without further ado, 시작! (start)
So after departure day from Jungwon University, I moved into my apartment and got settled in my little tiny town of 선산. Oh right, most of you are probably thinking, apartment?? I thought you got to live with a homestay?? Well, as it turns out, unfortunately, Fulbright had to make some sacrifices this year, and one of those things was homestays for about 15 of us. In order to get more schools to participate in Fulbright (Korea is currently trying to ween off of native teachers in their schools so funding is at an all time low...), they had to tell some schools who had previously housed EPIK teachers (the other main native teacher program in SK-way bigger than Fulbright, and not necessarily funded by the American government, like Fulbright is-or isn't....I'll get to that in a moment. But if you want more information on EPIK, just google it) that it was ok to place us in solo-dolo apartments. This meant for me that I was about to have to spend a lot more money on my housing (as I am now responsible for bills and food, but not rent), which caused a little bit of an issue for some of us stuck in the situation. But rather than reveal any more details on that (as it was mostly peacefully resolved), we all basically got over it and realized that there really are pros to living in a solo-dolo apartment. Namely, freedom. I've had quite a few friends have some problems with their homestays (and many with excellent situations, as well!), so I do appreciate some of the freedoms that I am afforded by living by myself. Also, electricity can be pretty friggin cheap here...I'm talking 10 dollars last month for electricity and 4 dollars for gas. Watttttt. Get on that, Merica. Food also tends to be pretty cheap (unless you in Seoul, that's a whole different world, though), which is nice. HOWEVER, I will say that cooking for myself has been a struggle because the kitchen in my house has like 0 ventilation and once I had some Korean food in that kitchen, I haven't been able to get rid of the smell, which I will be purchasing baking soda for....PLEASE WORK. So, that's my little introduction to my life. I live in an apartment. By myself. In rural Korea. Sounds scary? Well it's not! I'm about to let you into the secret of the town that is the best place in the world (in Korea). PS if anyone is coming to Korea, hit me up! I've got some room for you to stay in, so come on ova!
선산 Aka, Seonsan, my little town.
So I call this place rural, which it technically is by Korean standards. Don't get me wrong. It's small. But I'm about a 40 minute bus ride away from the downtown area of the main city I live near (구미 Gumi), which is frankly about as big as Columbia is. Also not too far away from 대구, Daegu, which is one of the biggest cities in Korea. Honestly, though, I don't really travel. Most weekends I like hanging out with my friends here or winding down from the week teaching crazy ass little kids. Which brings me to my next topic of discussion: 선산초등학교 or Seonsan Elementary.
My. School. Is. Everything. I mean, EVERYTHING. Whether it's the teachers (which I am told will change next semester NO DON'T GOOOOOOOOO), or the students (of which my 6th graders are graduating NOOOOO DON'T GOOOOOOO), I am in heaven. From day one I hit it off with my students. They are some of the most open and caring people I've ever met, and they are all under the age of 13. Ok so in Korea, the students are in elementary until 6th grade, and the 7-9 is middle school, and 10-12 is high school. A little different than in America, so I teach grades 3-6. 3rd grade is the light to my soul. My little children and who I want my children to be. Not only did they fully embrace me, a foreigner, they actually WANT to hang out with me. They force me to use all my brain power and my limited Korean (when they found out I could speak some Korean, they went bananas, but hey, it's been great for my Korean learning skills), but I love spending time with them. There are two students (in third grade) who live in my building, and I walk most days to school with one of the girls (서영 SuhYeong) and the other girl (다예 DaYe) I have had dinner with a few times because her mother is pretty baller at English. I also have a handful of really high level students (one who is practically fluent, and a composer-watttttttt), but most of them are really low level and low motivation. So I am extremely proud that some of them want to talk to me, whether using Korean or English. I mean, I know I'm cool, but I didn't expect them to think so too ;)....just kidding....
My sixth graders are my little lovable shits (pardon my french). I say it completely in love. You know sixth graders. Especially sixth graders who are about to graduate. They don't care. But they are hysterical. I teach them all two times a week, so I have really gotten to know them really well. They are some of the biggest and bestest personalities I have ever encountered. I think they are mostly surprised how I don't try to force them to listen. I try to maintain their focus, but I understand that not every student is going to be perfect everyday. I think that is something really foreign to most of them. They expect to get scolded every time they do something wrong, which I never thought was productive when I was learning, so I try not to be THAT teacher. So, it honestly sounds like 3/6 grades are my favorite, which isn't true!! I love all my students. It's just I don't see 5/4 grade very often. I see them once a week, but a lot of the time classes can be cancelled or I just don't see them very much. I see 6 grade two times a week, and I see 3 grade once a week (but my office is right next to all of their homerooms so I see them all the time and they come by my office all the time, haha), so I feel like I've just gotten to know their personalities a lot more thoroughly. I have made some special bonds with a number of 4/5 graders, though, don't be fooled! They are equally as important as my other babies :)
All this being said, I do recognize a lot of the struggles of being a teacher, though, too. I had my first "bad" day the other day, where you just feel a little bit under the weather and under appreciated by some of the students. However, my mood was soon alleviated, as about 20 different students came to ask my what was wrong. All from different grades. It really touched my heart. They do care!! As much as me!! Also, on peppero day (basically valentines day where you give peppero to people you "love"), I received quite a few peppero (much more than I expected)! especially from my sixth grade girls and my third graders. I was so happy <3 Made my year. They do love me!!! (I think....haha) You can never tell with those little minds hahahahaha. Changing every day.
Quite frankly that's all I really have to say. I love my town, I love the teachers in my school, and I LOVE MY KIDS. So much heart. So much personality. Some of them even have so much sass! So proud *tear*
As for things I miss. Really it's just food and friends/family/DOGS. I really miss my dogs. But the kids are a good substitute....jkjkjkjk Not serious, don't take that the wrong way, anyone who is reading this who might not know me! What I mean is they really provide the "love" I am missing. And they really do a good job of it :) I don't know how I'm going to leave them come next July....I really did have a stint of about 4 weeks where I was SERIOUSLY considering renewing. I know I already deferred medical school, and I already asked if I could get another year off, and they said no....but I was seriously considering it. However, recently, I've been rethinking that decision, and have really come to the conclusion that that's not the best thing for me. Honestly, I'd probably want to stay a third year, and then be REALLY REALLY attached to some of these kids. And I can't stay here forever. And my MCAT score won't be valid forever, and I ain't takin dat new MCAT sheeeeeeeeeet, no no no. So, I have officially taken that off the table. Easier said than done, right? Damn you little children and your uncanny ability to sneak your way into my heart -_- I know none of my students are reading this, but I love you all, and already miss you :( <3
Also, I know most of you know that I'm coming home for winter (for 13 days, haha), and those dates will be January 1-13. So clear your schedule, and let's see each other! (if, of course, you're interested in that sort of thing). Alas, the day is almost over and I must head on over to a teacher's meeting, since you know, I'm a real person with real meetings and other real life adult things to do...
Sorry again for the late post, I know you all were DYING TO KNOW what my life's been like....if you have any questions that ARE JUST PRESSING AGAINST YOUR SOUL AND CAUSING YOU AGONY RIGHT IN YOUR HEART, just comment or message me, let's talk! I'm not going to make any promises, but I would like to make a post soon JUST of pictures, so you guys can see some of my kids and other things that I've been doing, rather than just reading about them. I hope this has no grammatical errors/ spelling errors. I'm not going to double check it. Too tired and won't do it later. So posting now. Don't hate me, and don't fire me (if any of my supervisors happen to read this and it is riddled with mistakes....)
Baiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Enough of the introduction, to get quick to the point, this post will have no pictures. I am currently sitting at my desk at school, deskwarming, and finally decided to tackle this monster of a post. Honestly, I'm not going to even try to say all of the things that have happened over the past two months, so I will go over a few key points, and give a brief explanation of my current feelings, k? Not that I need your approval, but I thought I would ask....
Without further ado, 시작! (start)
So after departure day from Jungwon University, I moved into my apartment and got settled in my little tiny town of 선산. Oh right, most of you are probably thinking, apartment?? I thought you got to live with a homestay?? Well, as it turns out, unfortunately, Fulbright had to make some sacrifices this year, and one of those things was homestays for about 15 of us. In order to get more schools to participate in Fulbright (Korea is currently trying to ween off of native teachers in their schools so funding is at an all time low...), they had to tell some schools who had previously housed EPIK teachers (the other main native teacher program in SK-way bigger than Fulbright, and not necessarily funded by the American government, like Fulbright is-or isn't....I'll get to that in a moment. But if you want more information on EPIK, just google it) that it was ok to place us in solo-dolo apartments. This meant for me that I was about to have to spend a lot more money on my housing (as I am now responsible for bills and food, but not rent), which caused a little bit of an issue for some of us stuck in the situation. But rather than reveal any more details on that (as it was mostly peacefully resolved), we all basically got over it and realized that there really are pros to living in a solo-dolo apartment. Namely, freedom. I've had quite a few friends have some problems with their homestays (and many with excellent situations, as well!), so I do appreciate some of the freedoms that I am afforded by living by myself. Also, electricity can be pretty friggin cheap here...I'm talking 10 dollars last month for electricity and 4 dollars for gas. Watttttt. Get on that, Merica. Food also tends to be pretty cheap (unless you in Seoul, that's a whole different world, though), which is nice. HOWEVER, I will say that cooking for myself has been a struggle because the kitchen in my house has like 0 ventilation and once I had some Korean food in that kitchen, I haven't been able to get rid of the smell, which I will be purchasing baking soda for....PLEASE WORK. So, that's my little introduction to my life. I live in an apartment. By myself. In rural Korea. Sounds scary? Well it's not! I'm about to let you into the secret of the town that is the best place in the world (in Korea). PS if anyone is coming to Korea, hit me up! I've got some room for you to stay in, so come on ova!
선산 Aka, Seonsan, my little town.
So I call this place rural, which it technically is by Korean standards. Don't get me wrong. It's small. But I'm about a 40 minute bus ride away from the downtown area of the main city I live near (구미 Gumi), which is frankly about as big as Columbia is. Also not too far away from 대구, Daegu, which is one of the biggest cities in Korea. Honestly, though, I don't really travel. Most weekends I like hanging out with my friends here or winding down from the week teaching crazy ass little kids. Which brings me to my next topic of discussion: 선산초등학교 or Seonsan Elementary.
My. School. Is. Everything. I mean, EVERYTHING. Whether it's the teachers (which I am told will change next semester NO DON'T GOOOOOOOOO), or the students (of which my 6th graders are graduating NOOOOO DON'T GOOOOOOO), I am in heaven. From day one I hit it off with my students. They are some of the most open and caring people I've ever met, and they are all under the age of 13. Ok so in Korea, the students are in elementary until 6th grade, and the 7-9 is middle school, and 10-12 is high school. A little different than in America, so I teach grades 3-6. 3rd grade is the light to my soul. My little children and who I want my children to be. Not only did they fully embrace me, a foreigner, they actually WANT to hang out with me. They force me to use all my brain power and my limited Korean (when they found out I could speak some Korean, they went bananas, but hey, it's been great for my Korean learning skills), but I love spending time with them. There are two students (in third grade) who live in my building, and I walk most days to school with one of the girls (서영 SuhYeong) and the other girl (다예 DaYe) I have had dinner with a few times because her mother is pretty baller at English. I also have a handful of really high level students (one who is practically fluent, and a composer-watttttttt), but most of them are really low level and low motivation. So I am extremely proud that some of them want to talk to me, whether using Korean or English. I mean, I know I'm cool, but I didn't expect them to think so too ;)....just kidding....
My sixth graders are my little lovable shits (pardon my french). I say it completely in love. You know sixth graders. Especially sixth graders who are about to graduate. They don't care. But they are hysterical. I teach them all two times a week, so I have really gotten to know them really well. They are some of the biggest and bestest personalities I have ever encountered. I think they are mostly surprised how I don't try to force them to listen. I try to maintain their focus, but I understand that not every student is going to be perfect everyday. I think that is something really foreign to most of them. They expect to get scolded every time they do something wrong, which I never thought was productive when I was learning, so I try not to be THAT teacher. So, it honestly sounds like 3/6 grades are my favorite, which isn't true!! I love all my students. It's just I don't see 5/4 grade very often. I see them once a week, but a lot of the time classes can be cancelled or I just don't see them very much. I see 6 grade two times a week, and I see 3 grade once a week (but my office is right next to all of their homerooms so I see them all the time and they come by my office all the time, haha), so I feel like I've just gotten to know their personalities a lot more thoroughly. I have made some special bonds with a number of 4/5 graders, though, don't be fooled! They are equally as important as my other babies :)
All this being said, I do recognize a lot of the struggles of being a teacher, though, too. I had my first "bad" day the other day, where you just feel a little bit under the weather and under appreciated by some of the students. However, my mood was soon alleviated, as about 20 different students came to ask my what was wrong. All from different grades. It really touched my heart. They do care!! As much as me!! Also, on peppero day (basically valentines day where you give peppero to people you "love"), I received quite a few peppero (much more than I expected)! especially from my sixth grade girls and my third graders. I was so happy <3 Made my year. They do love me!!! (I think....haha) You can never tell with those little minds hahahahaha. Changing every day.
Quite frankly that's all I really have to say. I love my town, I love the teachers in my school, and I LOVE MY KIDS. So much heart. So much personality. Some of them even have so much sass! So proud *tear*
As for things I miss. Really it's just food and friends/family/DOGS. I really miss my dogs. But the kids are a good substitute....jkjkjkjk Not serious, don't take that the wrong way, anyone who is reading this who might not know me! What I mean is they really provide the "love" I am missing. And they really do a good job of it :) I don't know how I'm going to leave them come next July....I really did have a stint of about 4 weeks where I was SERIOUSLY considering renewing. I know I already deferred medical school, and I already asked if I could get another year off, and they said no....but I was seriously considering it. However, recently, I've been rethinking that decision, and have really come to the conclusion that that's not the best thing for me. Honestly, I'd probably want to stay a third year, and then be REALLY REALLY attached to some of these kids. And I can't stay here forever. And my MCAT score won't be valid forever, and I ain't takin dat new MCAT sheeeeeeeeeet, no no no. So, I have officially taken that off the table. Easier said than done, right? Damn you little children and your uncanny ability to sneak your way into my heart -_- I know none of my students are reading this, but I love you all, and already miss you :( <3
Also, I know most of you know that I'm coming home for winter (for 13 days, haha), and those dates will be January 1-13. So clear your schedule, and let's see each other! (if, of course, you're interested in that sort of thing). Alas, the day is almost over and I must head on over to a teacher's meeting, since you know, I'm a real person with real meetings and other real life adult things to do...
Sorry again for the late post, I know you all were DYING TO KNOW what my life's been like....if you have any questions that ARE JUST PRESSING AGAINST YOUR SOUL AND CAUSING YOU AGONY RIGHT IN YOUR HEART, just comment or message me, let's talk! I'm not going to make any promises, but I would like to make a post soon JUST of pictures, so you guys can see some of my kids and other things that I've been doing, rather than just reading about them. I hope this has no grammatical errors/ spelling errors. I'm not going to double check it. Too tired and won't do it later. So posting now. Don't hate me, and don't fire me (if any of my supervisors happen to read this and it is riddled with mistakes....)
Baiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii