As I was looking through my documents folder on my computer, clearing out old or failed lesson plans and articles that never came through, I came to a crazy, wonderful realization:
This is my one year anniversary of writing Seoul Searching!
I went back and re-read the first article I wrote, and had to laugh. Everything that I had said I wouldn’t do, I did. Everything I worried about ended up happening. I said I wanted a public school for the job security. I took a job at a private academy (hagwon) knowing they often had terrible reputations. Six months later, I had my contract cancelled on me. I was both devastated and relieved, because the timing was perfect for me to join the GEPIK program, and became an elementary school teacher just down the road from where I worked originally. My kids adore me, I get to make some really great lessons, and I feel like I’m making a serious difference in these kids lives.
Living overseas has helped me shed a lot of my previous insecurities, while giving me a few new ones to deal with as well. I feel a lot more outspoken and brave after living in Japan and Korea. I know myself, and I have faith in the things I decide. Perhaps it’s living in such “polite” societies, I’m much quicker in stating my mind and saving everyone the grief of having to um and ah over decisions. My job and my free time have given me the confidence I need to, for once, feel like I am good at what I do, both as an English teacher and as a writer. At the same time though, living around one of the most slender races on earth, and being a girl with curves has not been easy on my self-confidence and self-image. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.
I never thought that I would fall in love with South Korea as much as I have. I came here, wanting to be closer to Japan, without having to deal with the low pay and expensive rent back in Tokyo. This country has wormed its way into my heart though, making it very hard for me to imagine leaving in the near future. I’ve met some amazing people, and come across some amazing opportunities. I decided to leave my fear at Ottawa International Airport, and I’ve approached almost everything I can with a fearlessness that seems to come only from insanity, madness, or idiocy. Though, don’t count on any accounts of me eating live octopus from Busan any time soon. I’m not that mad. Yet.
Despite being 10,000 kilometres away from everyone back home, writing this article has been an amazing way to keep connected to back home. People back home have really surprised me with their comments and support, and on the days where the homesickness is setting in, it has been awesome to know people are enjoying hearing about what happens on this side of the planet.
As another summer rolls in, and another group of recent graduates search for that first big job, I can only say this: Teach overseas. You will learn so much more than university ever taught you, and no matter how your time abroad ends, you will come out of it a better person.
And to everyone who has been following along during my time here, thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to keep Seoul searching with all of you! (I’m contracted until at least February 2012!!)