It's Wednesday July 27, and by next Wednesday I'll be waking up in my new apartment in Pohang, South Korea. It's hard to describe how I'm feeling as I approach this new chapter in my life. People ask if I'm excited, or scared, or nervous... yes, yes and yes. And everything in between. Most of all, I feel sad to leave my friends and family, my dog, and Portland which I have come to truly love and appreciate. This has been an incredible summer, and although I'm ready to move on to my new job and a year of adventures, saying goodbye to everyone will be unpleasant to say the least.
I know some people aren't thrilled about the idea of me leaving for a year. I don't blame them for being sad, I'm sad too. But I know this is something I need to do while I still can. Not having a family to support or a mortgage to pay makes this the perfect opportunity to up and leave. Plus the teaching job market in Portland doesn't leave me many job options if I stay. But most importantly, I'm doing this to leave my comfort zone, learn about a drastically different culture, experience one of the top education systems in the world, gain new perspectives on life, and to challenge myself. I'm aware of the struggles I'll face, and I know some of those struggles are not being foreseen at the moment, but it's through those kinds of struggles and challenges that we grow the most as individuals. As a teacher, I've been placed in difficult experiences, like jumping into a Special Education class with no training. I feel ready for this new challenge.
Pohang is a small city on the Southeast coast (I get to live in a beach town!) with a population of approx. 500,000. It's only recently been developed, but most of the country is that way (30 years ago it was still a developing nation). 70% of Korea is mountainous, so if you know me at all you know that pleases me. Since North Korea is forbidden territory for South Koreans and Americans and most people, S. Korea is kind of like an island in the sense that you can only leave the country by boat or plane. For those of you concerned about my safety in regards to the threat of N. Korea, please don't worry, the threat is very minimal, and I honestly believe they are all bark and no bite.
Map of S. Korea
I have read a handbook on life in S. Korea. Although I feel more mentally prepared than before, I still know that I really won't know what I'm getting myself into until I arrive. I have been told about some of the manners, like handing a gift to someone with two hands, not one, or always taking your shoes off in a home. I have been told that in restaurants people sit on the floor, don't tip their servers (it's insulting), and the bathrooms might not have toilet paper, so I'll have to bring my own. Apparently S. Korea is half Buddhist, half Christian, and the country recognizes holidays of both religions. They have the fastest internet in the world, and some of the world's fastest trains. Kimchi is eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so I'd better learn to love it! I've also been told that Koreans are fascinated with "potty talk". I'm excited to find out what that means!
I have thought a lot about what I want to do while out there. I know there are plenty of things that I don't currently know exist, but as of right now, I really look forward to visiting the old Buddhist temples and learning more about that religion. I look forward to taking a jet boat from Busan, S. Korea to Fukuoka, Japan. I have a week vacation for Christmas and would like to spend that week down in Thailand or Vietnam. I plan to eat food that will require me to be courageous, I plan to get lost, sing in those famous Korean/Japanese karaoke bars, go to a baseball and/or soccer game, hike the mountains, and of course enjoy the beaches.
I will try to update this blog every few weeks or so, and I'll be sure to include photos and videos. I'll try to make them entertaining with funny stories and interesting things I learn about Koreans and their culture. Please keep in touch throughout this next year, your correspondence will help me deal with whatever homesickness I may experience.
