Decisions

Ok, so after I decided that I wanted to be a teacher in Korea, I had a few decisions to make:

1.  Hagwon (private school) or public school?-  I chose the hagwon for several reasons.  Namely smaller class size and higher salary.  Public schools tend to be more stable because they are regulated by the government and they also have more vacation time.  I just felt that a private school was a better fit for me.

2.  Which city?- I pretty much knew that I would end up in Seoul.  I know that there are some advantages to the smaller cities.  For one thing, you get a bonus just for living in a rural area.  I have never lived in a large city.  I don't even want to move to San Antonio because it's too big.  Seoul is different though.  The thing that worries me most about a large city is the driving, but in Seoul I will use public transportation to get everywhere.  I can't wait!
I've lived and visited overseas before and I know just how overwhelming it can be to not speak the local language.  At least in Germany, I knew some words!  In Seoul, many more people will speak English than in the outlying areas.  The resources alone make the city a better option.  I know that if I ever get homesick in Seoul I can find an Outback Steakhouse, Starbucks, Dunkin' Doughnuts, Pizza Hut, KFC, and COSTCO (!!!)

3.  Which Recruiter?-  I actually could have gone without a recruiter, but I decided it would be a little bit easier to find a job through one.  There are dozens that advertise on Dave's ESL cafe.  None of these charge the teachers for their services either.  I had researched several recruiting agencies and had narrowed it down to a couple.  How did I choose the winner?  Well I was thoroughly exploring the website when I clicked on the Contact Us page.  There was a little map that explained how to get to their office.  Turns out that they are around the corner from a store called...drum roll please...."LOTTERIA!"  Lotteria is my favorite Mexican game.  It's really like BINGO except that it uses pictures rather than numbers.  I used to love to practice my Spanish while playing this game.  So I figured it was a sign from the heavens and sent WorkNPlay Consulting an application!  Yes, I really AM that cheesy :)

“Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.”   - H.L. Hunt

Why KOREA?!?

Para mi Becky:

This is the question that I am constantly getting asked and to this I answer:

Seoul at night (National Geographic)

Seoul again.

Jeju Island- Korea's "Hawaii" off the southern coast

cherry blossom trees!

beautiful detail on Jakwangsa Temple, Daejeon, South Korea (national geographic)

*None of these pictures are mine (I'm not in Korea yet duh!)

WHY NOT?

     I finally finished school and received my Elementary Education teaching degree and certificate in December and had to make the decision as to what to do next. My parents live in Germany and my mom had mentioned several times the idea of my teaching there. I was interested in one of the high-paying teaching jobs at an international school in Frankfurt.

     One day while at work at the hospital, one of my coworkers asked me where I was going to get a teaching job.  That conversation changed my life.  You see I am a firm believer that EVERYTHING happens for a reason.  I'm sure that some of my friends are sick of hearing me say that hehe.  Well, anyway at this point I mentioned the Germany thing.  Without skipping a beat, Chris said "You should teach in Korea!"  She told me about how she had a friend who had been living in South Korea and absolutely loves it.  I'm pretty sure I said something along the lines of "Um, no thank you!"  I had never really given much thought to Asia before.  At Chris's insistence I friended* her friend Erica on Myspace. 
    
     Erica was super sweet to respond with all of the information I needed.  At this point I still had doubts and thought that I would more than likely try to teach in Germany.  Erica had given me the link to her blog so I read the whole thing from beginning to end.  I'm sure I wasn't even halfway thru when I decided I wanted to seriously look into being an English teacher in Korea.  You can and should read her blog here:

http://www.ericaleavesamerica.blogspot.com/

     Ok, I could write loads more on this topic and I'm sure I will in future posts but I think this is enough for this one!
*(Spellchecker doesn't like my use of the word friended, but I'm sure that one will be added to the dictionaries soon enough.)

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. -Walt Disney