The Decision: Korea

The typical person who comes to Korea to teach English is twenty-something, fresh out of university or with a few years of work experience. Many have never taught before. Few have specialized in Korean studies, and even fewer have fluency in the Korean language. Living in Korea is often a one-year sojourn to teach, travel, explore, have fun, pay-off student loans, and generally delay the inevitable career once returning to their home.

I'm here a decade (or two) later than the average wannabe English teacher.  I was in the middle of a rewarding career, doing something that was meaningful, and I was good at it. While working with people is never easy, over time my work became repetitive. This is what brings me to Korea - the challenge. I am here because it is difficult. But through adversity, hopefully, will come personal growth and opportunities that would not have existed in my comfortable routine.

While I have some experience in a classroom, I am not exactly comfortable teaching nor do I have a confident grasp of English grammar. I can't speak, read, write, or understand Korean in any way whatsoever. I am alone in a foreign land and I don't know what I'm doing.

But that's okay! Being in a classroom of English learners is fun. Exploring a new country is thrilling. Making new friends and building a new life is exciting. And growing as a person is why I came here.