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Autummyst
Joined: 25 Oct 2009
Location: Connecticut
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 Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:38 pm Post subject: Wow, leaving in a few hours |
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Hi all,
I'm totally freaking out. I'm leaving for SK in a few hours. I really hope there are some good people in the Yogin area to keep me distracted from getting too homesick. How were your first few weeks in South Korea?
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nautilus
Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:22 am Post subject: Re: Wow, leaving in a few hours |
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| Autummyst wrote: |
How were your first few weeks in South Korea?
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Day 1 my hogwon director bought me a meal then dropped me off in my empty appartment. I was bewildered.
Next morning I woke and cried. I think its the only tears I've cried in 10 years. I just wondered what on earth I was doing.
Took a walk out. Everything looked bizarre, utterly strange. The people in the shops stared at me in this vacant yet agressive manner. I saw some massive buildings in rows. Took me a while to realise they were appartment blocks. A truck with a loudspeaker blaring urgent messages passed by my window. I thought it was a call to war.
First week at the school I was amazed how unruly the kids were..My first act of anger in this country came when some 10-yr old ran out of my class, dong-chimming me on his way. At which I grapped him by his collar, lifted him off his feet and yelled in his face.
that was years and years ago.  |
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ChilgokBlackHole
Joined: 21 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:25 am Post subject: |
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| It's extremely confusing. Good luck. |
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saram_
Joined: 13 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:34 am Post subject: Re: Wow, leaving in a few hours |
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| Autummyst wrote: |
Hi all,
I'm totally freaking out. I'm leaving for SK in a few hours. I really hope there are some good people in the Yogin area to keep me distracted from getting too homesick. How were your first few weeks in South Korea?
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There is some luck involved in hitting the ground running..
Everything will seem very strange probably for a while..
There will be so much stuff going on and it will be hard to take everything in right away.
Just remember that if things are not going well in the first few weeks or months...there is no need to despair or panic.
Korea is a very decent place to be. You can always change your job/location etc. Just take it all in and make the most of it..
Most people id say end up in a school/ hagwon where they will meet many people who will help them however they can..Things run smoothly for most people when they arrive.. Those that aren't so fortunate end up getting their way anyway after a while..
Patience is the key Id say..
Enjoy |
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reactionary
Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Location: korreia
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:41 am Post subject: |
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| you'll be fine |
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sesyeux
Joined: 20 Jul 2009
Location: king 'arrys
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 4:19 am Post subject: |
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step 1: get the internet
step 2: ? |
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mugen13
Joined: 25 Mar 2010
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:10 am Post subject: |
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I adjusted fine. I only really got homesick the last few weeks but I only have 2 months left. You'll meet other teachers and they'll show you the ropes.
Just as a tip, don't start comparing everything to your home country. New people tend to do that and become disappointed with every single thing. Just take it as it is. |
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Bemused
Joined: 02 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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| It's discombobulating but very rewarding in the long run. Short term? Stay out of the negative comparison zone e.g when what would have been a simple task becomes a complex mess due to language and cultural barriers, while remaining focused on getting oriented. Get your apartment sorted out as best you can and remain outwardly positive at work even when you feel like crying or hitting something. Also, always express gratitude for anything your co-workers or students do for you, no matter how small the favor. And be sure to make an effort at appreciating the culture because it goes along way with Korean colleagues and students. |
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ashland
Joined: 05 Dec 2008
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Wow, leaving in a few hours |
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| nautilus wrote: |
| Autummyst wrote: |
How were your first few weeks in South Korea?
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Day 1 my hogwon director bought me a meal then dropped me off in my empty appartment. I was bewildered.
Next morning I woke and cried. I think its the only tears I've cried in 10 years. I just wondered what on earth I was doing.
Took a walk out. Everything looked bizarre, utterly strange. The people in the shops stared at me in this vacant yet agressive manner. I saw some massive buildings in rows. Took me a while to realise they were appartment blocks. A truck with a loudspeaker blaring urgent messages passed by my window. I thought it was a call to war.
First week at the school I was amazed how unruly the kids were..My first act of anger in this country came when some 10-yr old ran out of my class, dong-chimming me on his way. At which I grapped him by his collar, lifted him off his feet and yelled in his face.
that was years and years ago. |
showing your incredibly weak character traits...
life is not fair... and is not easy, either.
to the op: you don't need to worry a thing... and you will love where you live. |
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wylies99
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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| OP, try to get some sleep on the flight and after you land. Everything will happen at once when you get here. BTW, don't agree to any contract changes when you are jet lagged and groggy. Many hagwons and even some public schools try that old trick. |
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brento1138
Joined: 17 Nov 2004
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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Coming to Korea was the best decision I've made... might turn that way out for you too. So chill. Expect the worst, hope for the best.  |
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seoulsucker
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: The Land of the Hesitant Cutoff
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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| sesyeux wrote: |
step 1: get the internet
step 2: ? |
step 3: profit |
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Bloopity Bloop
Joined: 26 Apr 2009
Location: Seoul yo
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 5:22 pm Post subject: Re: Wow, leaving in a few hours |
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| ashland wrote: |
showing your incredibly weak character traits...
life is not fair... and is not easy, either.
to the op: you don't need to worry a thing... and you will love where you live. |
Why are you so abrasive? Whenever I read your posts, you're more than likely putting someone down. |
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mcviking
Joined: 24 Mar 2009
Location: 'Fantastic' America
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| Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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Because he is a troll. And everything ends with...
If only we could all be like Ashland... |
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Autummyst
Joined: 25 Oct 2009
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:38 am Post subject: thank you :) |
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Hi everyone,
Thank you for your tips and encouragement  I read a lot of them right before I got on the plane. I've been here a couple days now. I was definitely disoriented when I got off the plane but after settling in a bit into my new place and venturing out to check out my area (only a few blocks each way so far...lol) I'm feeling better. I start teaching on Thursday, so I have another day to get oriented. My co teacher gave me the lessons ahead of time so I can look over them.
Anyone in the Yongin area?
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