The Beginning

Here I am at the beginning of a wonderful new adventure. God has blessed me beyond belief with such wonderful opportunities to expand my horizons, better my person, and experience something new and wonderful.

Just last month I was sitting in a rut. After my application disaster with the University of Hawaii, I was feeling through with Grad school applications. Things just weren't working out for me as far as finding a Grad program that really interested me. Of course, I still want to go to graduate school, but at that point I was running into one road block after the other.

Just when I was about the throw in the towel and just accept a mediocre graduate program to get things started, God took me sternly by the shoulders and turned me in a new direction.

That direction was Korea.

After a lot of research I decided to apply for a ESL teaching position in Korea through a program called Gone 2 Korea. They worked with me to get everything necessary together, and I was suddenly applying for public school teaching positions.

I was elated! Teaching. I'd thought about it before, but didn't pursue it because Graduate school seemed like something that I shouldn't put off. But, after talking to the neighbor boy (literally, we've lived next door together for over a decade) at a Sister city event, I felt that I'd made the right decision. My neighbor, Jack, had spent a few years as an ESL teacher in Asia before pursuing his Graduate degree in Asian studies. He convinced me it was worth it to have the experience before starting a graduate program.

That plus the wonderful encouragement from my parents (surprise surprise! I thought they'd go ballistic), solidified my determination. The decision was made. I mailed off my documents and waited.

After initially applying, last minute (there were only 177 spots left), for the March term public school positions in Seoul, I found myself in the same 'stuck' place that I'd been enjoying for the past 8 months when I got an apologetic phone call from Gone2Korea informing me that the last applicants to be accepted all had TESOL certificates. I'd have to wait and apply again for the next term.

A TESOL certificate, not difficult to obtain (but expensive), is a certificate received upon the completion of a course whose basics are centered around teaching English as a foreign language in a foreign country. I haven't received such a certificate because I'd never taken such a course. The TESOL certificate isn't required for teaching English overseas, but it sure does give someone a foot up. Needless to say my reaction was basically "Bummer!". After the call, I sat down at the computer and started to look up TESOL certificate programs. By doing this I knew that I was basically guaranteeing myself a spot in the hiring period for August. Go me! But, you know, I was still feeling kind of down.

Two hours after the bad news call G2K called me back to inform me that a teacher at a Private school in Busan had just backed out of teaching for the coming year. They need someone ASAP. Would I be interested?

WOULD I BE?!

"Of course" was my answer.

A few days later I'm informed that the school has reviewed my resume and is interested, I've got an interview!

After an entire weekend of nervous anticipation, the interview night comes. Around 9:00pm I got a call on the phone from the teaching supervisor at the school. I was immediately put at ease by her laughter and friendly manner. The interview went smoothly, and was even enjoyable! The interview ended with me in high hopes. Things had gone great!

The next morning an e-mail and G2K informs me that the interview was a success and I am officially offered the job!

Wow. Talk about amazing.

Within a month I went from being a glum, completely directionless graduate, to an employed private school teacher with a goal and bright future! God sure knows how to surprise you, and I'm certainly thankful.

I sent off the rest of the necessary documents today. Next step, Visa. After that, Korea. I arrive in Korea in March and then it's the beginning of a brand new wonderful chapter of my life.

I've created this blog especially to document not only my adventure to South Korea, but also my new and exciting adventures as a teacher.

HERE WE GO!