Life in Korea - by Caroline Paterson

Moving away for a year across the world is a big decision, but I knew it was something I had wanted to do for a long time. It was going to be difficult moving to a country where I didn’t speak the language or know anybody; so I prepared myself the best I could for an adventure of the unknown.

Although I thought I had prepared myself, once I arrived, I quickly realized that there was no way to be fully prepared. My first few days were quite difficult. Between the travel exhaustion, jetlag, anxiousness, and not being able to speak Korean, the whole process was extremely overwhelming and lonely. My first few days were definitely tough, but then everything started to fall into place. Day by day, everything got easier; it was just the initial first few days that were overwhelming and tough!

I just had to keep in mind that it would get better with time and sure enough it did. I’m so glad I decided to come and teach in Korea, it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I’ve learned so much about myself, another country and another culture with opportunities to see and do things that I never imagined. Teaching in Korea has been an amazing experience!

Teach Away made the whole process an easy and comforting one. They answered questions, gave advice and guided me through the process, going above and beyond the expectations I had. Thank you Teach Away!

Year-end Trip to Thailand! - by Katie Alvord

Well, I’ve now left Korea for good, leaving behind a life I have created for myself for just over a year. As the plane took off and I was looking at the night sky seeing Korea get smaller and smaller and people that I have met over the year getter further and further away; just two tears rolled down my face. I suppose one could be for the sadness I felt in that very moment at leaving some people I really care about behind, and another for the joy I was feeling at the beginning of my solo trip I have been planning for so long. Those were the best two tears I have ever cried.

The first morning I woke up feeling refreshed and in awe that I am actually in Thailand!!  It's only a 20 minute walk from the guest house to the weekend market so I walked there and back since traffic has proven to be way too congested. The street traffic goes right along with that, but the morning heat felt nice as I feasted my eyes on various stands and some of the locals, who seemed to crowd the streets from nowhere. As the day grew on so did the heat. I managed to get quite a few things barely spending anything at all. My bargaining skills need some work, but it isn't a bad start. Plus, I'm too relaxed to be aggressive with that kind of thing. I had a delicious meal for just under $1 with the right amount of spice and food to fill my then hungry belly.  The aroma of the cuisine was amazing.

As I stand here (yes stand) typing away with a film of sweat on me, I feel surprisingly comfortable. Completely happy with where life has taken me at this very moment. Also, I just got done drinking a Leo beer...far more satisfying than Cass (for those that know what it's like in Korea). I am meeting my tour in a few hours and will head into Cambodia tomorrow getting into Siem Reap late (we are traveling overland). Angkor Wat is next on the list. I'm sure I'll have a lot more to write after filling my eyes with those sights. It's going to be a great month! I just know it.

Married Life in Korea - by Theresa Nicolai

Dance clubs, night clubs, and blind dates can be very discouraging when there are no results. It seems that in recent years, marriage in Korea has increasingly become more of an option and not so much a rite of passage as it used to be. Nowadays, Koreans are waiting longer and/or not getting married at all, but it doesn’t mean they don’t want to. To me, marriage here seems pretty high on life’s totem pole right after graduating from college and getting a successful job. The only factor interrupting the inevitable exchange of vows is the tremendous amount of pressure from parents to make sure it’s the right time and the right person. Give thanks to most Korean mothers who maintain an ultra controlling presence within the family. I’ve recently discovered there are about 30% of the teachers at my school who are not married for various reasons. Some are too young, some are ready but haven’t found a partner yet, and others don’t really want to get married.

So, what’s it like to be married in Korea? Well, I don’t know personally, but I can tell you through the lives of a few different Korean couples all of whom I think are fantastic people! I have a newlywed friend who lives and works in Busan while her husband lives and works in Seoul. Every weekend, either one makes the trek to see one another. She has confided that it doesn’t bother her much because they see each other every weekend. From what I understand, it isn’t unusual for this situation to occur. But when is it possible to slip in some quality family time? Generally, that’s what weekends are for. It seems that Korean lives are so busy; they actually don’t have much free time, especially during the week.

Women, you’d think men would have a hard time deciding on a perfect ring for their future wives. Guess again! I actually feel bad for some American men. The wedding ring in Korea is not really an important element signifying matrimony like it is in America. Actually, I hardly ever see women wear their wedding rings. I was so confused when I first got here because I knew some people were married, but never saw them wearing their rings. Last but now least, I assumed women in Korea would change their last names just like we do in America, but they actually don’t. Children take their father’s last name. I remember discussing this topic with my Korean friends. I told them that if an American husband and wife had different last names; people would assume either they weren’t married or they were divorced. Also, if the couple had children, the child would be scrutinized or repeatedly asked why his/her parents had different last names.

It is interesting to see how differently marriage is viewed in Korea versus America.  This is one of many differences between the two societies I have noticed during my time in Korea.

Culture Shock and My Year in Japan - by Rosa Tancredi

My destination was Yachiyo, a place I would later come to call Cabbage Town. I was excited and eager to be living and working in Japan. But as the days till my flight ticked off, my eagerness turned to anxiousness. My sense of adventure began to shift to a realization of the unknown. I was comfortable in Canada, and I began to wonder why I would want to leave that behind. But adventure won out, and Cabbage Town became my new home.

They call the first month in a new place the honeymoon stage. I soon realized why. Japan was so new and exciting. Even seemingly everyday things in Cabbage Town seemed exotic and interesting. But this sense of wonder faded into a sense of familiarity, and I settled in. I experienced high and low times, and things in Cabbage Town just became my everyday life.

I thought of going home.  I missed my friends and family. The sense of adventure was gone, and the few quirky things left in Japan just started to become an annoyance.  I felt, and literally was, half a world away from everything I knew. It was a particularly low time, but I met other Westerners and experienced Japan with them.  The best times however were with Japanese natives despite the fact I couldn't speak Japanese. Eventually I came to realize that it doesn't matter where in the world you are; life is what you make of it. I will never forget the support that Teach Away gave me, the friends I made, the experiences I will cherish for a life time. Going to Japan was a decision that I do not regret making, in fact I am very proud of it.

Settling into Busan, Korea - by Masoud Rajabi Asl

Having been in Busan, South Korea for approximately 2 months now, it’s been an extensive journey already. I’ve lived in my fifth country, experienced a new culture &new foods.  I am learning my fourth language, and found talents that I never knew I had.  I've become an avid photographer, started learning my second instrument (guitar), and I've met amazing people. It has been an excellent experience so far.

Coming into this, I was very skeptical about how much of a good experience it would have been. Not a skeptic of Teach Away, but whether this experience will serve to be a good one. Leaving my comfort zone, dropping everything and leaving my family and friends was a difficult decision. I had just purchased a new motorcycle, was close to deciding what career I wanted and was having the time of my life. These thoughts became poisons to my decision of coming to Korea. I began to regret my decision and did not want to enter the gates of the airplane. Being on that airplane and speeding away from my country of Canada at over 400 km/h, it did not become easier.

My first week in Korea was not the best week at all, but as the third week rolled around it became my defining moment. I realized that I wasn't too happy in Korea not because it was Korea as opposed to Canada, but because of the mind set I had arrived with, because I came with a closed mind. Once I opened my eyes everything started to change. I realized that leaving my “comfort zone” and opening myself to new experiences was the best decision for me. Once I changed my mindset the food started tasting better, I realized what an amazing culture I was surrounded by, I came to love the language and my job and began to taking full advantage of the opportunity. 

For all those people who have just arrived in their host country or are making the decision to leave their country, remember, face things with an open mind. Open your eyes to a full 360°. Take full advantage of this opportunity. Learn everything you can, because you may not be able to do this later in life. When things start going downhill, remind yourself that it’s what YOU are making of the experience. I guarantee that if you embrace your new surroundings with an open outlook, your experiences will flourish.