Greenheart Travel

Author: Allie Agate

Packing Like a Pro for South Korea
It’s been 6 months since I moved to Gwangju, Korea and now a fresh new batch of EPIK teachers will be making their way across the world this upcoming February. Before moving here I YouTubed every video, read every blog, reached out to every person I could to figure out what to pack. I always received mixed messages but overall got some pretty good tips. I thought it would be helpful to list what I know for those that are heading over to South Korea for the first time.

Also keep in mind I live in Gwangju which is not touristy at all. If you are going to live in Seoul, there are going to be way more international items available for you on a regular basis. I apologize in advance as many of the things on this list are focused on packing for girls.

Shoes

If your feet are bigger than a size 8.5, it’s hard to find shoes, but possible. I am a size 9.5 and I have bought shoes in Korea from Zara, H&M and Converse. I’m glad I packed the 11 pairs of shoes I did. For reference I packed 2 pairs of leather boots, 2 TOMS, 1 pair of sandals (wish I would have packed more) 1 pair of tennis shoes (wish I would have brought one more pair) 2 pairs of flats, and 2 pairs of ankle booties. I wear them ALL and I feel like even after 6 months they are pretty worn in. I didn’t pack any heels except for one pair of heeled booties. In Gwangju it’s very rare to see anyone wearing heels. It’s more common in Seoul but I did pack heeled booties that I wear out at night. I don’t regret bringing heels as I wouldn’t have worn them here. I walk everywhere, so shoes get worn in quickly. I play volleyball for both schools I teach at, and I also work out at a gym and I go hiking all in the same shoes- I definitely wish I would have packed another pair of tennis shoes.

Clothes

I made the biggest mistake and packed way too many clothes. First off – I am in love with Korean style so I have bought soooo many clothes from here. Their winter style is oversized turtleneck sweaters, oversized coats, and skinny jeans or cute miniskirts with tights. I recommend bringing lots of tights too! I actually regret not bringing every mini skirt I own from back home. You can dress them up or down. So do yourself a favor and if you know you will shop here…pack less. I wish someone would have told me “If you have only worn this blouse once in the past year…DON’T bring it. What makes you think that you will wear it more in Korea?”

Koreans dress very conservatively. Women do not show their shoulders, collar bones or chest. Meaning no tank tops or strapless items. I don’t even wear V-neck shirts here. Forget packing a ton of sleeveless options unless you wear a cardigan with them. And summers are VERY humid so bring breathable clothing like cotton items. I also brought too many scarves…I wear scarves a ton but brought way too many. Only bring your favorite 3. I brought like 12 oops haha again I overpacked 🙂

If you have a winter coat then bring it. You won’t regret it. Also if you have a rain jacket I suggest that as well. Basically any of your favorite jackets I would bring with if you have the space. I recommend a winter coat, raincoat, hiking coat. I left behind my stylish leather coats as they weighed a ton but I am glad I did because I wouldn’t have worn them here anyways.

Dress Code at School:

The first couple weeks you will want to dress up a bit more to make a good impression. On days I have fewer classes I sometimes wear jeans but a nice blouse or other days I dress up and wear skirts. Overall it’s business casual and always air on the dressier side the first couple of weeks. I brought dress pants but rarely wear them since I wear skirts and dresses more often. In the winter I have never taken my coat off at school since it’s freezing in the schools and all the teachers keep their coats on all day while teaching. For example: Today is the end of January and my school is freezing. I am wearing black skinny pants with leggings underneath, wool socks, a turtleneck, chunky sweater, and a coat and scarf. I have not taken off my jacket or scarf all day. So make sure to bring warm clothes. I am from Minnesota so I knew not to underestimate the winter here. I also know that each person has their own style. I know a lot of other teachers who dress very casual to work and it’s totally fine. I think everyone should have an idea of what “nice” looks like and start from there.

H&M and Zara, which are both located in Gwangju and in many cities throughout Korea, have international sized clothes but if you are above a size 12 it may be hard for you to find clothes that fit you so I’d recommend bringing extra pants and skirts. Their sweaters run large but skirts and pants are very small. Even if the skirt or dress fits it tends to be really short on me since I am 5’7.

How to Decide What to Bring:
1. Make 3 piles for clothes. 1 pile for Needs,1 pile for Wants, and 1 pile for it’d be nice to have but I don’t really need it. Bring the pile of needs clothes and bring half of the pile of want clothes and don’t bring the 3rd pile.
2. Pack all of your clothes you will wear during orientation into your carry-on suitcase. This will make your life SO much easier at orientation and then you won’t have to touch the other bags you packed.
3. Roll your clothes while packing. Use every space possible meaning you can even roll things up and stick them inside of the boots or shoes you are bringing to save space.
4. Invest in a luggage weigher. This will be very helpful. You can buy them at Target, TJ Maxx or Amazon.
Makeup

If you have sensitive skin or have a product you absolutely can’t live without, just bring it. I love make up and skincare and tend to be very picky with what I use and I absolutely LOVE Korean skincare. I was able to find foundation that matched my skin from Nature Republic. Otherwise, they do have higher end brands like MAC, Dior, Chanel, Bobbi Brown, etc. at the department stores. They are a tad more expensive so bring your own favorite foundation if you have it. You should also keep in mind that Korean brands only have 2 or 3 shades to pick from that range from fair to very fair.

Hair Styling Products

My friend brought her hair wand from home and uses it here. Sometimes I wish I would have brought my hair straightener but I didn’t have the room and didn’t want to ruin it just in case. I ended up buying a blow dryer, curling iron, and straightener all from Home Plus the first week I arrived. During orientation, I either borrowed other girls’ straighteners or wore my hair natural. You will survive without anything for 10 days I promise.

Undergarments

I recommend packing a ton of these, my friend has already had her mom send her underwear from home. Thankfully I stocked up on every type before I come here. For bras, if you are bigger than a size B or even a C, pack your own because you won’t find any that fit you here. This goes for sports bras as well!

Towels

Bring a fluffy soft towel from home. It’s rare you will find a towel here that is full size. I also brought a microfiber hair towel which I use when I backpack places or go camping.

Bed Sheets

I was lucky enough to find out the size of my bed before coming so I packed my own bed sheets. You can buy sheets here at Home Plus or E-Mart but they are more expensive.

Toiletries

My recommendation is bring a small amount of shampoo, conditioner, lotion that will last you the first couple days. EPIK orientation had conditioner and shampoo in the bathrooms for us so I didn’t even use my travel size but it was nice to use for later on traveling or when I first arrived at my apartment in Gwangju.

Lotion

Don’t pack lotion, there are plenty of lotions without whitening agents. You can easily find them at Home Plus or E-mart or local markets. It’s notworth packing. Save the weight in your bag.

Moisturizer

I do recommend packing your favorite face moisturizer for the first month or two. Your body will be adjusting to a lot when you first arrive (new climate, new foods, jet-lag, stress, etc) so I think it’s best not to change face lotions for a while just to keep your skin settled. But I absolutely LOVE my new Korean moisturizer so I use that now and will probably forever.

Deodorant

Bring a few months’ supply of deodorant. You will only find about 3 types of deodorant including a spray kind, which works well but is about $12.

Toothpaste

This is totally your preference. I brought a few tubes but I recently ran out so now I use a Korean brand. I do miss Crest since it has a more fresh taste.

Tampons

Don’t spend your time stocking up on a billion tampons. You can find them in Korea. I brought a good amount of tampons as I was worried they wouldn’t have them here. I found that Olive Young, Home Plus and a couple other places carry tampons. It’s about $5 for a pack of 16. You may need to hunt a little as there’s only one brand next to a million pads.

Food

I brought some of my favorite items for the first couple weeks living in Korea. Dried mangoes from Trader Joe’s, trail mix, and granola bars. It helps too if your body is getting used to all the kimchi and new foods you’ll be experiencing.

Iherb.com is a great website to use if you want to order American organic brands or spices online and have it shipped. It’s really cheap and I have used it twice for foods I’d been craving but can’t get in Korea.

Electronics

I brought a converter for my laptop here pretty cheap. I have a MacBook Air and it has worked just fine. I also ended up buying a charger for my iPhone with a Korean plug and then bringing an extra cord that I use at work or laptop if I travel. If you can order a converter online I would do that.

Suitcase

I checked 2 large suitcases and brought 1 carry on suitcase, 1 backpack, and a purse. It was a lot to carry and I know plenty of people who only checked 1 large suitcase and were fine.

Remember, I underestimated the amount of items Korea has to offer. They have everything I need here and more.
November 26, 2018
Photo Essay: My Dream Job of Teaching in South Korea

Caroline LaBate is currently on her 2nd year of teaching English in South Korea. She recently took over our Greenheart Travel Instagram feed to share glimpses of her life in and around the city of Gwangju.

Hiking is a huge passion of mine and has been one of my favorite hobbies in South Korea. South Korea is made up of 70% mountains and is known for it’s strong hiking culture. The cities may be huge and busy, but the nature here is quiet and breathtaking.

One of the best ways to immerse yourself into the culture is learning the language as well as making new Korean friends. I have done both and it’s made my experience unforgettable. Oh, and don’t forget to eat the incredible street food. It’s cheap, delicious and will make you come back for more.

I currently teach at a public elementary school, and this picture was taken during lunch time. I am so thankful for these amazing students. They are truly the reason I stayed a second year. They can brighten even the worst of days. One of the greatest things I have learned is that young kids are similar everywhere in the world. They’re all fun, excited, energetic and willing to learn if you give them a chance.

Korean culture is often felt during coffee, dinner and drinks with friends. Gwangju is a city rich in art, culture, many festivals and incredible food. There are only a few hundred foreigners out of 1.5 million people, but it makes the experience even better and absolutely nothing beats a night of Korean BBQ.

Thank you so much for tuning in to my life in South Korea. It’s been so nice showing you many of the reasons I chose to live here. My advice if you are thinking about teaching abroad is to take the leap and do it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I have grown so much since living here. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. That means you’re doing it right. Thank you again for following along, and a huge thank you to Greenheart Travel for helping me towards my dream job of teaching in South Korea.

To follow more of Caroline’s journey in South Korea, check out her blog! And what are you waiting for? Ready to take the leap and teach abroad?

October 12, 2016
6 months & School Year Ending

I haven’t even begun to talk about my trip to Japan and China yet and I have no excuses except that so much happened on that amazing trip that I don’t even know where to begin on that journey of writing so I promise I will get to that later and that will be filled with funny stories and happy adventures and beautiful pictures!!!

This week is an emotional one for me. My 6th graders are graduating (their school year starts in March, not September like in the states) and moving onto middle school, the school year ends tomorrow, I will have all new co-teachers next semester and I do miss home and my family and friends.

Students:

First off, you may think it’s silly that I get emotional that my students are leaving. But unless you are a teacher and your heart loves these kids more than they know…it’s damn hard. (and yes I am a teacher and yes I swear a little too much but kids you can’t swear!) These kids were my comfort from day 1 here in Korea. They may not have spoken English well but they made me feel warm and welcome in the classroom. I didn’t have to worry about putting on a different face or being proper or saying the wrong thing with them. My impression shined and so did theirs. In a place where I feel uncomfortable a lot of the time…being in the classroom is a comfort. The students when they yell down the hallway Hi CAROLINE TEACHER or when you tell them great job in class and they smile proudly. Little things like that. or in lunch when they are all in line to get food and they push each other to move out of the way so they can wave to me and say hello!!! and yes my 6th graders and I had a special bond…well most of them. It’s hard to get to know hundreds of students but I did my best. I worry about these kids going to middle school since middle school they have to decide their career (no joke) and study their butts off every single day. They can’t be the same kids anymore and that’s tough. but I am thankful that our elementary schools here in Korea go until 6th grade. Although they are definitely on the edge of needing to be pushed into middle school they deserve one last long year of being goofy kids and the top of their class. Here are a just a couple of the 6th grader classes that I teach. I teach a total of 10 sixth grade classes between the two schools I teach at!

Co-teachers:

If you build a special bond with your co-teacher it can make all the difference in the world. Thankfully for me I did. After 6 months of living here I have felt like I have built special relationships with multiple co-teachers and it’s a very sad day when they won’t be teaching with you next year or are moving schools or moving out of the country. One of my co-teachers who I am closest with is moving to Vietnam to teach and bringing her two sons with her while her husband stays in Korea to work. She is a strong and indepedent woman and the best teacher I have ever known. We actually won an award together which only 5 “co-teaching pairs” won in Gwangju out of hundreds of applicants. I was really proud and it shows how strong of a bond we had. Her focus on teaching was on story telling, songs and games and making the activites fun and it showed in her classroom. Our six 5th grade classes are incredibly smart. Like some of the smartest English speaking children in Gwangju and I don’t say that lightly. I teach at two elementary schools but this school in particular has very high scores in all subjects and the kids are incredibly well behaved. I literally have not once had to ask these students to listen to me or to be quiet. They are that amazing. Those six 5th grade classes are my favorite and I owe a lot of how they are to her. It has shaped a lot of my teaching style and I can’t wait to forever use her tips and advice when I can. But not only being a great teacher she welcomed me to Korea more than I could have ever hoped for. She brought me on hikes, to museums, drove me home when it was raining or just because so I didn’t have to wait for the bus. She brought me to parks with flowers because she thought I would find them beautiful, helped teach me Korean and she always made sure I felt welcome and appreciated. Now this isn’t something that Korean subject teachers need to do – this was out of her own will and those kind of people shine in my world. The kindness that has been shown here is incredible and I truly hope one day I can be that kind of person to someone else when they are scared and alone. All of my six co-teachers have been incredibly kind and welcoming and they all have their own special stories to add to it but that would take me pages to write and I don’t need to bore anyone 🙂

I think when things come to an end there becomes a halo over the past and you forget about the struggles you went through to get to where you are. Only the happy memories flood your brain and that’s a beautiful thing but also very hard. Right when I feel adjusted and comfortable in this new life of mine things have to change again and I have to re-adjust. I know that’s life and it’s just how it works. So in 1 month I will have all new teachers to work with and new stories and hopefully new wonderful memories to add to the mix.

Family:

No one can tell you when you are going to feel homesickness and it hits you hard when you do. Maybe it’s a message you receive or a photo. Mine comes at random times like when you’ve been drinking too much in a norebong (karaoke room) with your friends and get a video of your 5 month old baby niece laughing and then you cry because you are drunk and miss your niece and nephew haha or a photo of my nephew at his hockey game or pictures of my family in general or missing milestones like birthdays and holidays. I am not very comfortable with crying…okay I am definitely not comfortable haha…and that’s something I work on myself. I am very good at holding back my emotions for a long time but then it can hit hard when it does. This past weekend my younger brother was able to come home for a 4 day weekend which was super exciting for everyone but I was definitely feeling homesick for a nice homemade cooked meal in front of the fire place laughing and telling stories with my family. I was able to skype with the whole family though and that meant a lot. All 8 of their faces popped into the screen waving and sending little Korean hearts my way (the hearts you do with your thumb and pointer finger that I taught them haha) I miss them a ton and it’s very hard not to see them as often and I think I really feel it this month more than others but I am thankful I am as close to them as I am! and I know they support me which means a lot just as I support their decisions in life too.

After a week of ups and downs I am thankful I have an amazing friend here to remind me of all the great reasons I am here when I am feeling down – “It’s exciting to know that we have gotten to know a new place and even though it’s still uncomfortable some (most) days, think of how much more comfortable and confident we are now compared to 6 months ago! We know how to get around the city, we know different types of food and different styles of restaurants, we can tell people where we’re from and what we do and most importantly we can order coffee and gimbap all in korean! It’s 100% the hardest time to be away, but we just have to remember how far we’ve come! and how much we’re going to continue to grow in confidence, in communication, in empathy, in love for our kids, and in understanding of different people and languages and cultures in the next year and a half! It’s hard as well but we are really freakign awesome for doing it and I know we both know that we’ll never regret and always remember this amazing time in our lives!”

Absolute truth. Could not ask for a better friend to remind me of all these things. That is a true soul-mate friend.

So take out your wine glasses and let’s make a toast “To 2016 with it’s ups and downs, our health and happiness and exciting new adventures coming our way. Cheers… GunBae… KanPai… Salud!!!”

Love from Korea,

Caroline

February 3, 2016
First Sunrise of 2016

This year Claire and I decided to participate in one of the oldest traditions in Korea to hike to the top of the mountain and watch the first sunrise of the year. Most memorable New Years I have ever had. We waited until midnight for the official 2016 then set our alarms and woke up at 3 am. We packed our bags, put on layers of clothes and hiked to the top of Mudeungsan in complete darkness and waited for the first sunrise to peak over the horizon. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had.

Down the trail behind us you could see a trail of thousands of people with little lights making their way to the top in pitch black. When the sun peaked over the horizon everyone cheered and hugged and quietly made their own resolutions for the year to come. When we hiked back down the mountain after 4 cold hours we were greeted by the Korean Red Cross with hard boiled eggs, soup and other Korean foods while congratulating everyone on a Happy New Year! 2016 started off to a better start than I could have ever imagined. Thank you all for your support in this amazing journey I have taken to South Korea. It means the world to me. Happy New Year!

January 5, 2016
Happy New Year’s Eve from South Korea

It’s New Year’s Eve today and I am sitting in my office “desk warming” which means that the school year has ended and all of my students are on vacation…including all of the teachers but I am required by the government to still go to school and sit at a desk in an empty school. So I can take naps or watch Netflix or try and lesson plan except that I don’t have anything to lesson plan for. It’s eery and quiet here. I miss the sound of kids running around and laughing and singing.

I just finished my first semester of teaching in Korea. I actually started halfway through their year so it’s the end of the year for them. It’s an emotional time since I fell in love with all the students and the 6th graders are graduating now and moving onto middle school. Middle school is known as the hardest time in their lives and all of the students are dreading going. I worry about them but I know it’s their time to move on. Many of my students said, “Aww teacher we will come visit you!!!!” They are the first group of students I ever taught and they will forever hold a special place in my heart because of that.

The holiday season has been a mix of emotions with being away from home. I have random moments of homesickness but overall I have been okay. I knew that I wasn’t going home for Christmas or any major holidays this year and the best thing I can do is make the best of it here and of course skype with family back home which I did and it was so great! This year for Christmas my friend Claire and I went out to eat at this fancy Indian restaurant that has amazing food. Then on Christmas day we went shopping and spent way too much money…but our new clothes and coats are fabulous so it’s worth it. We are trying to live up to the Korean fashion and I’d say we are getting closer and closer!

I was able to spend Christmas week teaching all of my students about Christmas and singing Christmas carols! We also made Christmas cards with pop up trees in them. So great. Here are some fun photos of my students during that week!

Last night was our end of year party with my volleyball team. We went to 3 different places…we started off at a seafood Korean BBQ place where I ate all new things I had never had before. Then we went to a second restaurant and ate clam soup and then we went to norebong..which is Korean karaokee and it’s amazing. They have these amazing rooms that you rent out and you just sing the night away. We spent the night eating tons of great food and drinking somek…which is soju and mekju (beer) combined. Great combo. They are an amazing group of people and have been incredibly welcoming and kind. I truly feel like we are friends now and I feel comfortable around them. And they are amazing and try so hard to speak English and always include me in the conversations.

Traditionally back home on New Year’s Eve night I would drink the night away and go dancing somewhere and cheers and hug at midnight. This year I am planning to hike Mudeungsan Mountain at 3 AM and watch the sunrise! It’s a tradition in Korea where many people hike the mountain in the middle of the night to watch the first sunrise of the year. I think it sounds amazing and I can’t wait!!! and I think it will be a clear night so perfect to watch the sunrise.

And just because it is the end of the school year…here are some of my favorite memories and pictures from this past semester:

December 30, 2015
4 Months Teaching In Korea!
Today marks 4 months since the day I left America with my too many bags packed and my fear of the unknown. 4 whole months have gone by. That is just crazy. And truthfully it has flown by. I think of the fact that when I lived in London I would have been home already from that adventure that changed my life. And now after living in South Korea I know that I am not close to being ready to leave this beautiful country. I still have many more experiences and memories to be made. I have said this before and I will continue to say this but I just love my job and I adore my students. I love them more than they know and it’s hard to express that every day except with continuous smiles and encouragement with whatever they are doing. I am excited to watch them grow even moreso over the next year.

I think about how much I changed in the 4 months living abroad in London and how I have changed even more so from Korea. Truthfully it has had so many challenges and I am honestly such a stronger person for it. SO much happens every single day. Every hour something new happens unless I am hibernating in my apartment…but that rarely happens since I am constantly on the move. I wish I could keep everyone updated back home on every little detail and share every amazing story but I know that’s not possible. I have made a great friend here, Claire, who I consider a soul mate friend. One of those friends you meet first and think I want to be her friend…and then find out later she thought the same thing about you. and then instantly you are bestfriends. I am beyond thankful to have her in my life here. We experience so much together and we both know that this is one of those experiences that I think only the two of us will fully understand. And I know that’s okay. Sometimes I think that some memories and experiences are too precious to share on social media. It’s almost like the world doesn’t deserve to hear that one incredible thing that happened to you on that one random night. It was that special that you don’t need to share with the world or brag about it. You just keep it in your heart and remember it for life.

There are many moments like that here. Claire and I talk a lot about how we do miss home of course. The easiness of life in the states and the comfort. How we miss the smell of fresh laundry…which we both actually said at the same time one night which was really funny. We miss our friends and family and being able to go to a grocery store and ask where something is easily, or even just speak the same language to literally anyone. Korea has made me a more internally quiet person and a much better observer of life. I think this is a good thing. and so many things can be communicated with gestures and facial expressions..which we all know I have a lot of different facial experssions and I don’t hide them very well. It has also given me a much better perspective on life of an immigrant in the states. How tough it must be. I think how welcoming Korea is of foreigners and how kind people are and I know that the people in the states aren’t always that way. The USA is a country filled with immigrants and a melting pot and I think sometimes we forget that many of these people are brand new to the country and just as scared as I am living in South Korea.

Next week is already Christmas! I can’t believe it. I wish so bad I was home for it! I am thankful to say in my 26 years of life that I have never missed a Christmas from home. Although it will be hard I am thankful I have a family that I miss as much as I do and I have had 26 years of wonderful memories. I am going to spend Christmas in Gwangju and enjoy it here. Many people do celebrate Christmas here but it is not one of their major holidays like ours. It is more of a “couples” holiday where you go out to eat, give gifts and make it a special evening with your signifacant other. My friend Claire’s dad is half Indian so on Christmas Eve their tradition is to eat Indian food so we are going to this amazing Indian restaurant in Gwangju. It’s delicious and I’m really excited for it!

We only have two more weeks left of classes for students. That means that the 6th graders will graduate and move onto middle school! Sooooo bittersweet! I know it’s their time to go but they will always have a special place in my heart since they were the first group of students I ever taught. I have already gotten quite a few hugs from students and really sweet notes. I am having Christmas parties in all of my classes next week! I think it’s so great we can celebrate Christmas in class here and I can show them a piece of my culture from back home! It will be really fun 🙂

What am I thankful for this Christmas Holiday:
- My amazing family and their support
- My wonderful friends all over the world
- My health – my ability to walk, workout, have strong muscles and a strong heart
- The fact that I am able to live in another country and have these opportunities that many people do not have and I will cherish every day
- My education and background
- Appreciation for life
- The ability to learn other languages
I have some exciting things planned over break in January and Feburary and I will be excited to share with you all about them! But for now let’s focus on the month of December and appreciating what we have and enjoying some good food and good company. Have a safe and wonderful holiday season all of you! Miss all of you.

Merry Christmas and love sent from South Korea,

Caroline
December 16, 2015
15 Things I Have Learned From Living In South Korea

1. Become comfortable with being uncomfortable.

2. Kids are kids anywhere in the world and I love them for that.

3. You can still show your personality even if you don’t speak the same language by using a simple smile, gestures, helping, bringing gifts, laughing, and simply being yourself.

4. Accept your differences, respect your differences, but also learn from your differences. Understand what makes you special and what makes them special.

5. Adopt new traditions and be accepting to new things whether that is food, holidays or mannerisms.

6. Don’t be afraid to explore new areas even if you go alone.

7. Beauty is defined differently around the world and there is no set definition.

8. Be adaptable and flexible. Korean surprise is no joke. I never expect the day to go exactly as I planned and I now don’t freak out when a Korean Surprise happens because they happen so frequently. I often come into school and surprise you have no classes for the next two days…or surprise we are hiking for the day but you wore a skirt and tights. Oops. or surprise I need a document finished in 4 minutes and then you need to teach 2 classes you haven’t prepared for. It happens so often that I don’t even allow myself to get worked up anymore although at times it still catches me off guard.

9. Accept that it’s just downright hard to show humor when there’s a language gap. It can be frustrating because it’s very hard to show sarcasm or jokes when neither of you are fluent in the language. There are many times I have felt very awkward after making a joke and the other person takes the joke seriously and then I have to explain it was a joke and then they don’t know the word joke…and it’s just a downwards spiral haha

10. Don’t become a hermet. Find things that interest you whether its hiking, working out, reading, language exchanges, hanging out with friends. Whatever it may be, allow yourself to enjoy those things and make a routine for yourself. Even if it’s uncomfortable at first it can be rewarding and nothing is more important than taking care of yourself and being the best version of you.

11. Some days are harder than others. There are highs and lows just like anywhere in the world and just like every person has. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.

12. All Koreans are pretty much in a relationship…and this is no exaggeration. They don’t understand the dating world that Americans do where you test the waters and maybeee it will turn into something…nope they don’t have that. You just dive right in. They are also super lovey dovey which is adorable and sickening at the same time for all of us single people. Every couple I see I am like THEY ARE SO CUTE IM JEALOUS. When I say I am single I get the most shocking faces and “oh my god WHY! Aren’t you lonely?!!! That’s so sad!” and I always answer I have no idea… haha do they really want to hear my long explanation…”I haven’t found the right guy…I am very independent…I just moved to Korea like three months ago…that’d be shocking if I found someone that quick…ummm I like Korean men but the langauge barrier is toughhhhh” haha it’s pretty comical. If I say no they often say “Do you have American boyfriend?” Nope… “Do you have Korean boyfriend?” Nope… “what! Why?!?!?! So lonely!!!!!!!”

13. If you find USA gyms intimidating especially in the weight room area…try going to a Korean gym and being the only foreigner. Terrifying. And I have been going there for a month and a half now. Everyone is so nice but I still get so nervous. Especially now that I have ventured to the weights area for some bootcamp stuff. The treadmill only does so much. I have now made some guy friends there which is really nice. I even have made myself a personal trainer friend who has been ever so kindly helping me get in shape for free. I am so sore everyday but it feels great and it’s really nice to have a routine after work.

14. Missing family can be hard but I have found that with apps such as Whatsapp I can have a group conversation with all my fam and constantly stay connected. It’s an amazing tool and makes it much more easy to stay ontop of each other’s lives. And honestly people live all over the world at different times of their lives. Enjoy where you are at at the moment, just don’t forget who supported and helped you get there in the first place.

15. Life will never be perfect wherever you are. There are ups and downs no matter what. There are days where you just want to sleep…and there are days where you have so much joy that you don’t think your heart can handle it. We all live for the joy that comes every so often and embrace it as much as we can.

Through it all…I am so happy where I am at right now. I love my job. I love my students and I love this country. I am embracing the adventures and the language. I am proud to say I can now say basic sentences in Korean and hold a very simple Korean conversation. Little by little we grow without even realizing it. It’s an exciting time.

November 17, 2015
How Korea and the USA are Culturally Different
These are some interesting cultural differences I have found here in South Korea. Just to be clear, none of these differences are bad and I am not being judgmental on any of them. They are all just observations I have made in my two months living here and thought they would be interesting to share with you all!
1. Many Koreans love to practice English with you. They will talk to you in Korean as if they think you are fluent and then say random words in English… “Boston! Baseball! America!” It always makes me laugh. Hey at least they are trying! And thankfully I have been taking Korean lessons so I can use some conversational pieces now! When I speak Korean in class…even just a sentence my students get so excited. I always tell them “You teach me Korean, I teach you English!” We work together.
2. Prepare to have no personal space in Korea…westerners are very use to having a bubble around them at all times. There’s no such thing here. Standing in line somewhere…you turn your head and bam there’s someone standing right next to you. You get used to it…kinda.
3. Customer service is the BEST in the world in Korea. And they don’t receive tips…that may tell you something about their wonderful culture.
4. You don’t flush toilet paper – there are bins in each stall of the bathroom that you put your used toilet paper in – Korea’s plumbing system isn’t that good
5. I have officially gotten used to eating with chopsticks! I can hold it the “Korean way” and have been complimented many times on my chop stick skills! 🙂
6. There are three types of ways you will get toilet paper in a bathroom… 1. If you are lucky there will be toilet paper in your stall 2. There will be toilet paper outside of the stall and you estimate how much toilet paper you need. Or 3. There is no toilet paper and you better hope you have some with you or else you’re outta luck haha Also I find it interesting that the soap in Koreans schools are all bars of soap.
7. There are no drying towels or air dryers in schools…you simply air dry your hands every time you wash them which is a lot since I work in an elementary school. And it’s all squatting toilets except one western style toilet in the bathroom.
8. Fan Death – it’s believed that if you sleep with a fan on in your room and your door is closed then you will die of Fan Death—-this is no joke to Koreans. There are stories of Korean teachers showing up at English Teacher’s homes just to make sure they know not to sleep with a fan on – you can compare it to how we say you have 7 years bad luck when you break a mirror except taken more seriously.
9. You take your shoes off at school and put them in lockers and put on your indoor slippers. Mine consist of adidas looking sandals that I wear every day. The kids take off their shoes and carry them up to their cubbies outside of their classroom and slip on their white croc looking shoes. When they go to gym or lunch time they carry their shoes outside with them to put on. You never wear your outdoor shoes inside the school. They even have guest sandals that can be borrowed to wear or in some cases I have seen them put surgical shoe covers on if there is a parent’s day and not enough slippers for everyone.
10. You shake hands 3 different ways in Korea and it’s a hugeee sign of respect. You also hand money or things a certain way to people out of a sign of respect…Use both hands if possible when presenting and receiving something. If that is not possible, use your right hand and support your right elbow with your left hand.
…Bill Gates once went to visit South Korea and shook the president’s hand wrong and it was ALL over newspapers…huge sign of disrespect. You are supposed to bow and put your left hand across your body or touching your elbow while shaking hands. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2313604/Bill-Gates-disrespects-South-Koreas-female-president-shaking-hands-keeping-pocket.html
1. All students bow to you as you walk through the hallway. They will at times stop what they are doing and bow and say “Hello Teacher!!!” or “Annoyinsayo Saem Sim Neim!” It’s the cutest thing and I plan to never get used to it so every time it happens I think it’s just as cute as the first time.
2. All men are required to enter the military after high school for 2 years of their life. I have heard very mixed reviews from young Korean men on this issue. Many are frustrated by this since it basically pauses their life for two years…they have to stop going to university or stop their job to enter the military. It’s fascinating. To give some perspective…even if you are a famous Kpop singer you have to stop your music career for two years to enter the military if you haven’t done so yet. The average age of the younger military men are 19-21.
3. You must pour drinks a certain way out of respect – when a much older respected person (such as your principal) pours you a drink…you accept the drink with two hands and turn your body away from the principal and take a sip. You never sip directly in front of him/her. You also graciously accept the glass with two hands. And offer to pour their drink for them. Your cup never goes unfilled…if you finish your drink, expect that it will be filled within 15 seconds..and if for some reason they forget for a minute or two it’s always OH IM SORRY HERE!…and pours you another. This can be a bit dangerous while drinking Soju or Makkoli so if you don’t want your cup refilled…best not to finish your last cup.
4. Koreans wear some serious hiking clothes. They have actual track suits they wear and are prepared to take on anything with their hiking poles and sticks. I love hearing the ages of people hiking too. I was hiking this steep part of the mountain and a man next to me told me he was 81. I was panting and he was casually hiking at 81 years old. Amazing. I think a Christmas gift to myself will be a sweet Korean hiking outfit!
5. Decisions are mainly made by hierarchy. So if you ask permission for something…expect to wait for the answer because it has to go through your co-teacher, then your vice-principal, and then your principal. And this is similar in businesses as well.
6. It’s rare to cover your face when sneezing or coughing…and don’t expect to hear a “bless you” because there is no such thing here. You sneeze loudly in the office and it’s silent.
7. Expect every meal to have rice, kimchi and soup served. I have actually gotten very used to having kimchi. I had never had it before moving to South Korea and it’s a taste that I can’t compare to anything else. Definitely takes some getting used to.
8. Expect to be asked to take a picture with you at least a couple times a week…I’ve gotten used to it and just smile and say “Kimchiii!” (instead of cheese they say kimchi! 😀 )
9. In the gym…you need to wear indoor gym tennis shoes…and you take your shoes off at the front door of the gym and wear slippers into the locker rooms. You also can’t wear your gym shoes inside the locker rooms. The gyms also provide clothes there too so you can walk into the gym, grab a pair of shorts and a t shirt and go get changed and workout then return the clothes. Basically no excuses here of why you shouldn’t be active. They don’t have the cleanliness standards that the good ole Lifetime Fitnesses have and they don’t use AC like our gyms but it does the trick and I still really love it!
10. Many Korean stares are really intense as you are walking down the street. Especially the older generation…but I know they just have that “resting bitch face” going on because every older person I have met has been incredibly kind once they get over the shock of staring at you!
11. And the finally 20. Bus drivers drive insane here. Like crazy speedy and really fast stops and starts. If you don’t hold on…expect to fly into someone’s lap. However, I do trust their driving and relax now but at first it was pretty intense. Just don’t look ahead and enjoy the ride.
Throw yourself in the mix of the culture. Don’t hibernate in your apartment. Get outdoors, go hiking, go to the markets, and experience the life and culture here. It’s a wonderful thing. The more I walk around my neighborhood the more I have become comfortable. The more they see the token foreigner with blonde hair that always walks around, the fewer stares I get. I also joined a gym finally! It was very terrifying the first week…their customs are very different and I had to adjust quickly. Basically stare at whatever everyone else does. They have been so welcoming and kind to me. and the guys who work there have been super kind which make the experience much better. Now I have been going for a week straight so I think people are getting used to me now. YAY! And hey..if you are looking for a ripped Korean man…go to the gyms because that’s where they have been hiding! More motivation!

This is a country with over 5,000 years of history so of course many people will be stuck in their ways but things are changing as all countries change with time. I remind myself that I need to become comfortable being uncomfortable every single day. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world. All countries have their own quirky customs, traditions and mannerisms and as different as some things may be…I have loved learning about everything. I am beginning to adjust to life here in Korea and loving every minute of it.

Want to experience these cultural differences too? Learn more about Teaching English in Korea:
October 20, 2015
Gaecheonjeol – National Foundation Day

National Foundation Day also known as Gaecheonjeol is a Korean holiday on October 3rd. This holiday celebrates the formation of the first Korean state of Goiosen in 2333 B.C. This date has traditionally been regarded as the date for the founding of the Korean nation.

For only one day each year since 2011 Cheonwangbong Peak (Mudeungsan’s highest peak) opens to the public…The South Korean Air Force station is located at the top of this peak which is why for security reasons visitors are only allowed once a year. Unfortunately being a USA citizen I wasn’t able to make the full voyage there past this fence since there were soldiers guarding but it was incredible to be a part of it and to enjoy a 9 mile hike! You can see the soldiers standing at the gated area checking ID’s in the photo below. There were hundreds and hundreds of people there. Families, every age possible including young children and adults that were well over 80 years old. It was an amazing sight. It was the closest moment in my life that I felt like I was seeing some sort of pilgrimage. Although we didn’t get to complete the voyage to the very top, the hike up the mountain to the second highest peak was worth it. And the amazing views. I felt like we were part of a tiny piece of history for 2015 in South Korea.

About a mile into the hike that day, Claire and I met three Koreans that were each in their early 50’s. They invited us to join their hike and eat lunch with them at the top of the mountain. Claire and I were in for a serious hike with them. They were in such good shape…as most Koreans are…and kept us going fast up the mountain. We hiked with them for over 7 hours! At the top of the mountain since we weren’t able to go past the gates guarded by soldiers we sat and ate lunch instead. Our Korean friends had a full Korean meal waiting for us. They made chun and kimbap and homemade kimchi, peppers and of course had soju.

We also found out that they were two poets and one painter. The painter is actually well known and has had exhibitions in Japan, Europe and Korea. While we were eating lunch he took out a sketchpad and pencil and sketched us a picture of the mountain as a gift to us. It was so kind and something I am planning to frame.

It was one of those days where you have no expectations going into it but it turns out to be a day full of memories you’ll never forget.

Let the adventures continue…

Love from Korea,
Caroline

October 18, 2015
Life as an EFL Teacher

Aww the life of an EFL teacher…EFL is actually different than ESL. EFL is English as a Foreign Language. It means that the rest of the country does not speak the native language you are teaching them. I am teaching these students English but the rest of the country speaks Korean not English therefore it has challenges of its own. In the USA we would teach ESL (English as a Second Language) it means that the native language of the USA is English. Just a little background information for you 🙂

After a month and a half of teaching I finally feel like I am getting the hang of things. The first week I was so stressed with lesson planning and I felt like everything had to be perfect with perfect timing and everything in order. I have come to realize that it’s rare that a lesson plan will go exactly as planned. I remember in orientation they taught us that some lesson plans will fail and bomb miserably and that’s when you need to just move on and not force the lesson. Other lessons will go really well and there’s no point in moving onto the next thing when they love this specific activity. Sometimes I over plan and sometimes I under plan but it always seems to work out. We have a text book to follow but I try and spice things up a bit by doing different activities. The text books are a bit cheesy as I remember in Spanish they were the same as well. I like to add games or competitive quizzes where if the students get it right they get candy or a stamp. 5 stamps = candy! WOohoo! I secretly wish I could just bring candy in every week but then it wouldn’t be as special as when they receive it. I also try and get the students out of their seats.

These kids are so over-educated and go to school twice as long as American students and go to school even on the weekends. They actually aren’t graded in English class so I try to make it as fun as possible and I keep the atmosphere light and fun. My goal is to make it feel as though they don’t realize they are learning but they are. I know that there are always going to be lessons where things are boring but if I can at least keep it fun and enthusiastic for the students then I feel like I’ve done my job. I always think it’s funny when I walk in the classroom and say “Good morning!!! How are you?!!!” and if it’s a morning class the students stare at me with blank faces…”I’m fine teacher. I am tired. I am hungry. I am good. I am bad.” I always respond enthusiastically… Oh nooo! You are hungry?! Didn’t you eat breakfast?! It’s beautiful outside. Aren’t you great?! Why are you bad?!” and then I tend to just laugh because these poor kids look exhausted but I do hope that they have fun in my class or at least enjoy it. Or like me as a teacher. Nothing worse when you don’t like your teacher and dread that class! I will be posting soon an explanation of Education in Korea and how extremely important it is to them.

I feel really bad for the lower level English students. I wish so bad I could help them but individual attention is tough when I see 22 different classes a week. When we do group work or pair work I always try and walk over to them and kneel down to talk with them and help them out. I know it makes them nervous but I try and be as smiley and nice as possible. And say Wow good job! I’m sure it can be very stressful when some kids are amazing at English and you can barely say the ABC’s. Some families can’t afford to send their child to private academies after school so their English level is lower than other students. But that’s the part of teaching I also like…how do I plan a lesson that I can make as clear as possible for all levels of students to understand? I also am constantly changing how I talk with students. I talk veryyy slowly and use short sentences. It’s been a huge growing experience for me.

I was reminded by a good friend that most people go to University for four years to learn how to teach. I originally went to school to be a teacher but changed my junior year meaning I missed two full years of learning how to be a teacher. I came into this job not having a clue. I have always worked with children so I was comfortable with that but actual lesson planning was tough for me. I have become much less stressed now and been able to get ahead of lesson planning. Things start to flow easier in my brain and ideas pop into my head more.

I have great mentor co-teachers that have taught me so much and I am very thankful for that. I have one co-teacher that has taught for 14 years. Her enthusiasm with the 5^th graders and her great games and ideas are an inspiration for me and she has taught me so much already. She is what I aspire to be like. She has a structured rhythm for her classes that her students understand so there is a nice flow to each class. She keeps the students interested and having fun. She also always plays a song at the beginning and end of class so the students get to sing loudly at the beginning and end of class. It gets them excited for the day. I always clap afterwards and say “Oh beautiful beautiful!” I actually often have those songs stuck in my head throughout the day but I don’t mind 🙂 Here is a photo of me teaching!

I’m sure I have said this before and will continue to say this but I am really happy to be here. I miss home, family and friends and at times get a burst of homesickness or miss how easy and comfortable it feels to live in the USA but I feel like I am so meant to be where I am right now. I am working hard to learn Korean and have made some Korean friends so far that have helped with it. I am also learning to embrace the cultural differences and accept our differences. It has made me more humble and I feel myself growing every week. My job keeps me busy and constantly planning for the next day. It keeps me going and I haven’t had a day to be bored yet. My personality loves that and it feels so good to be challenged in a different way than I have ever been challenged before. I am often tired and weekends never feel quite long enough but I am truly enjoying my time here. There are days where I am really stressed and feel unprepared before class and I walk out of school thinking good thing that day is over…and there are days where everything goes as planned and I leave school feeling on top of the world. I am taking life day by day here. I know my next Korean Surprise is waiting for me around the corner but I will stay positive and keep an open mind and overall I am happy.

Until Next Time.

Love from Korea,

Caroline

October 5, 2015