Well, it's getting to be that time again. That would be the time when the summer rush of new people is arriving. Which also means that this is the time when you realize that all the friends you make when you're travelling are transitory and will leave you at random moments of the year.
It sucks.
Having to say goodbye to someone who has been a major fixture in your life is akin to cutting an appendage off. In many cases, the people you say goodbye to were here from the moment you got here. They may have shown you around, or helped you settle in, or have just been there when you went through the random moments of awareness that you're in another country and can't speak the language.
The atmosphere around the local hangouts is changing because of this. There's been quite a few people who've left lately who have either been here for a long time or just made the world a better place in general. It's not that the atmosphere is getting worse, it's just becoming much different from when I first got here.
When you first arrive in Korea, it takes about three or four months to get used to your surroundings and find a strong group of friends to connect with. Then you spend the next four months having the time of your life and, somewhere along the way, you begin to realize that Korea is temporary. People start to go back home or onto another great adventure and it feels like parts of the world are crumbling away. But then comes the realization: this is exactly what life's all about.
One thing I love most about travelling is that it causes you to connect to people quickly and firmly. Sure, the foreigner community here is a little fiery every once in a while but it's only because we've become each others' family. Who else can you go to when you're having a rough time of it than the friends you've made who have probably gone through the exact same things as you?
So, although I'll have to say goodbye to some really great people, I'm happy to welcome new friends and experiences in the rest of my time here. Only three and a half more months to go!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A Day in the Life of a Korean Child
I've hit the eight month mark (can you believe it?) and I just realized that I haven't said to much about what actually goes on at school here in Korea. It's a big difference from Canadian schools, I can tell you that much. And not just in what the kids are learning.
Here's the schedule of an average Korean child around 8 years old:
7 AM.....Wake up
8:30 AM....Go to school
9 AM.....School
1 PM.....Finish school (some of the kids end around 3 or 3:30)
2 or 4 PM.....Go to first after school academy
.
.
.
.
.
8 PM to 10 PM.....Come home from academy (high school students don't get out of school until this time)
10 PM....Homework
11 to 1 AM.....Bedtime (this changes, depending on the student and the parents)
That means that my average student is coming to me with anywhere from 5 to 8 hours of sleep under their belt. Plus, they've probably been at school for 5 to 7 hours already. Which explains why they're so eager to play games and generally act up for most of my classes. I have a couple who will also randomly take naps during class. Feel a little sad yet?
My classes are pretty easy though. I usually teach for about 45 minutes. Class starts with hellos and some general discussion and then we move on to reading from their books. They also have workbooks to practice their writing and reading skills. For the most part, they have it pretty easy in the class and they generally get their homework from the Korean teachers.
My classroom has a table with the students sitting in a U-shape around it. I have a whiteboard and that's it. It looks like any other small meeting room from back home, with my personal additions of posters and signs.
On a side note, I've been asked to write a series of articles for that newsletter I was telling you about. I have ideas for two of them, but I need a third one. What is something in Korea that you'd be interested in hearing about?
If you have any questions about anything, feel free to leave some!
Here's the schedule of an average Korean child around 8 years old:
7 AM.....Wake up
8:30 AM....Go to school
9 AM.....School
1 PM.....Finish school (some of the kids end around 3 or 3:30)
2 or 4 PM.....Go to first after school academy
.
.
.
.
.
8 PM to 10 PM.....Come home from academy (high school students don't get out of school until this time)
10 PM....Homework
11 to 1 AM.....Bedtime (this changes, depending on the student and the parents)
That means that my average student is coming to me with anywhere from 5 to 8 hours of sleep under their belt. Plus, they've probably been at school for 5 to 7 hours already. Which explains why they're so eager to play games and generally act up for most of my classes. I have a couple who will also randomly take naps during class. Feel a little sad yet?
My classes are pretty easy though. I usually teach for about 45 minutes. Class starts with hellos and some general discussion and then we move on to reading from their books. They also have workbooks to practice their writing and reading skills. For the most part, they have it pretty easy in the class and they generally get their homework from the Korean teachers.
My classroom has a table with the students sitting in a U-shape around it. I have a whiteboard and that's it. It looks like any other small meeting room from back home, with my personal additions of posters and signs.
On a side note, I've been asked to write a series of articles for that newsletter I was telling you about. I have ideas for two of them, but I need a third one. What is something in Korea that you'd be interested in hearing about?
If you have any questions about anything, feel free to leave some!
Monday, July 6, 2009
A month later...
There hasn't been too much excitement in Gwangju since my last post. I know it's been a month, but life here is so cruz-y that I don't really think I'm doing anything out of the ordinary if I go anywhere out of town.
Every weekend usually has a road trip, a party, or both. Things are starting to get crazy lately, though, since most of the people in my neighbourhood are starting to leave on their next adventures. My coworker Liz leaves at the end of the month and, once she's gone, I'll be the only person left in Cheomdan (my area) who was here before November. It's going to be weird, but I'm enjoying meeting a ton of new people as they fill the vacancies my friends are leaving behind.
Plus, the countdown is on: 23 days until China.
I'll post again soon, since it's already late and I've gotta hit the hay for early tennis tomorrow morning.
Talk to ya later!
Every weekend usually has a road trip, a party, or both. Things are starting to get crazy lately, though, since most of the people in my neighbourhood are starting to leave on their next adventures. My coworker Liz leaves at the end of the month and, once she's gone, I'll be the only person left in Cheomdan (my area) who was here before November. It's going to be weird, but I'm enjoying meeting a ton of new people as they fill the vacancies my friends are leaving behind.
Plus, the countdown is on: 23 days until China.
I'll post again soon, since it's already late and I've gotta hit the hay for early tennis tomorrow morning.
Talk to ya later!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)