The End of One Journey, the Beginning of Another

  Standing outside the new Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul DDP  

You may have noticed recently that I have not been updating this blog. I have been bombarded with work here at school that I partially took on myself out of interest as well as work I am supposed to do as a part of my job. In both instances, my job has succeeded in keeping me busy and excited. I love teaching and I have immensely enjoyed sharing this experience with you. I have had the privilege of working with esteemed English Korean teachers for two years and as a result I have gained substantial experience and knowledge about myself and proper teaching methods for instructing speakers of other languages. Most of all, I discovered that I want to be an international teacher. However, everything has its final moment and soon mine will come with Korea.

In the next three months I will return to America to begin the first step of my objective toward becoming an international teacher. I’m going to take three different tests - the GRE, the MAT, as a well as the Georgia Teacher Certification test - so I can apply for a Master’s Degree in Teaching Secondary Education – English. Without this experience abroad I never would have realized what I wanted to do so clearly. One person in particular, my Mom, knows how many times I tried to convince her about where I wanted to go next and what I wanted to do when I arrived back in America. Finally, after months of research, several sleepless nights, and conversations with other foreign teachers here, I didn’t have to look far – I was already doing what I wanted to do right here in Korea. Teaching.

  Wonderful students in my after school debate class

This job was the reason I came to South Korea, but I never knew I would enjoy teaching so much. I majored in English-Writing. English is what I love and it is a joy and priviledge - no it's invigorating -  to teach my native language and something I love so much. Although before I I was considering other careers before I graduated, this job has proven itself as an exemplary choice. It has forced me to mature, to be more organized, to publicly speak, to enhance my communication skills, to be culturally sensitive and thus, as a result, has succeeded in its simple purpose of making me more marketable as an individual.

It has also provided me with an inescapable experience that has forever changed me as a Westerner. The people I have met, the relationships I have established and the understanding of Korean culture have made me more aware of the world and my place in it. All of this has led me to think, to love, to cry and to laugh.

At times when it was difficult and humorous your support was immeasurable. There is nothing better than knowing thousands of miles from home someone cares enough about you to see what you’re up to, to ask questions about your well-being or to just write hello because he or she was thinking about you. At some point you have probably skimmed through the blogs and scanned through  my pictures during a busy day at work. Everyone is busy and reading every blog from start to finish is never as important knowing you're still supporting me. I’ve tried to make this place my home for two years. And with you just a click away, it has been easier to adjust to the culture and to other people, including foreigners from other parts of America and around the world.

Zach, a Canadian friend, the regional EPIK program coordinator, and my co-worker (really, my superior). He works at the adjoining middle school. He has stayed the longest of any foreigner in Yecheon. We call him "The Godfather" of Yecheon.

Maya Angelou has said many times, “No one can make it out here alone.” It's true one always needs the support of family and friends. Of course I have established friendships here and my job is great, alike my co-workers. However, I left America with the greatest support system I have ever known.

I had a part time job during my four years of college working in the business school's Dean’s office, as well as social media work with the English Department at High Point University, friends of my Mom's and my Dad's remained close in spirit as well as my my best friends back home. Everyone has kept me in their thoughts. When I left college I knew my job was not going to be in an office and when I started this job it was completely out of my comfort zone. Since first setting foot in a Korean classroom, it feels like more than two years have gone by.

When I arrived in Korea at first itseemed like nothing more than a little adventure. It boggles my mind now when I think of how far I traveled for a job straight after college. Traveling so far from my family, learning so much, and enjoying myself in the process, in a foreign land, has given me a confidence as conspicuous as the two eyes on my head.

A picture of my school and its restroom which both sit on a hill. To the left is the high school where I work and to the right is the middle school.

I hope you enjoyed my blog as much as I enjoyed your comments and support. Thank you for staying in touch for two years. I could not have asked for more committed family and friends. I was given the support to follow my passion and without you my experience would have been greatly different. See you State-side!

Stopping during a hike with my school's English director and friend

Thank you,
or as they say here in Korea,

감사합니다(Kamsahamnida)!

Yours truly,
Evan