Annyeonghaseyo chinguyeo!
Hello friend!
As you may know by now, Asia has had me in it's clutches since 2011, and I'm finally submitting to it whole heartedly and moving abroad. In just 10 short days, I will lug 3 enormous suitcases to the airport, pay a ridiculous amount in baggage overage fee's, and board a plane bound for Busan, South Korea (byway of Chicago & Seoul, of course).
Why Korea? Well, it's a means, to start. Teaching English in Korea is quite the popular option if you are looking at doing something like this, namely because no experience is necessary - only a bachelors degree, clean background check, and to be from a native english speaking country are required. Bonus points are given if you include a charming, adorable photo of yourself.
My employer (E Bo Young Talking Club) pays for my apartment (which is a 15 minute walk to the BEACH, folks!), my airfare, my health insurance, and offers a severance bonus for completing my year long contract. Essentially, I have to pay for my food and my fun, which really puts me in a spot to save a good chunk of money in the next year. I intend to fund some future adventures with that loot.
Did I go to school for teaching? NO!
Did I ever see myself as a teacher? Absolutely NOT!
Do I like kids? Mostly!
But you don't know if you're good at something until you try it, right? I might be AMAZING at this, or... I might get by by the skin of my teeth. Either way, it's bound to be an interesting adventure.
Will I get homesick? I'm certain I will at points. I do know, the two times I've been to Asia, I've been bummed to have had to return to the States, always feeling unfinished and like I was leaving a little piece of me there. I might have been THAT girl on the flight home, looking out the window, crying. It's a pattern. I swear. I cried when I had to leave summer camp as a kid.
what. a. freak.
I can't promise I'll be stellar at updating this thing, but I will try and stay on top of it. Just for you.
XO
AO