Jailed for murdering the local school girl and leaving her body hanging over a dingy rooftop balcony. The mother of the local slow intellect comes to his defense, simply to discover the horrifying truth. This unpredictable storyline disappointed my western happily ever after expectations which in return gained my respect. Intrigued who was the creative brains behind such an abnormal noteworthy film, initiated my curiosity of Korea's film industry and eventually life as an expat in Korea.
Following this, watching vloggers, specifically African-American, disclose their experiences in Korea and how they ended up in Korea, helped me find my job in the morning calm peninsula. All shared the common denominator of English Teaching. Some taught at private schools called hagwons but most taught through a governmental program called EPIK (English Program In Korea). This program sounded like financial security, best of all a stable way for me to spend more time doing the things I love: traveling and taking pictures. So, I applied and had my lengthy application FedEx to South Korea by the end of 2018. Only taking a few weeks, my email of confirmation with a requested date for a Skype interview arrived.
This got the ball rolling on me researching questions EPIK might ask during the interview. Online reviews made the process sound very critical when actuality it wasn't. At least mine wasn't, I was over-prepared. My interviewer was easygoing and I felt comfortable throughout the entire interview. He asked me "What do you know about Korean culture?" "Why do you want to teach in Korea?" and "How will you handle homesickness?" Also, on the EPIK application, I was asked my desired location to teach, I requested Busan as my top choice. However, during my Skype interview, I found out that I wouldn't be able to work in Busan due to the districts teaching requirements.
To be an EPIK teacher in Busan, you had to have a teacher certification or attended 50+ in-person TEFL teaching hours(Teach English Foreign Language) and I didn't fit either of those descriptions. So, I opted for Daegu, a city an hour from Busan. My EPIK consultant took note of it, suggested I join the 2019 EPIK Kakao group to meet other applicants. Lastly, he explained that in January I would get my letter of placement if I had gotten the job. A month later, I was filled with excitement to receive an email filled with congratulations over an elementary teaching position in Seoul. Ironically, the complete opposite of what I desired.
Once settling into my humble abode, I found out that they will consider your location request but at the end of the day, they will send you where needed. Even though I didn't get my desired location, I felt peace about my placement and took it as a sign that God wanted me in Seoul. My mom was so elated about this new chapter for me she made a song out of it "my daughter's going to So-Ko, my daughter's going to So-Ko." When packing for my long trip, I made sure to pack essentials I assumed would be hard for me to find such as make-up foundation, hair care, shoes, jeans, and thanks to YouTubers describing Korean bedding…… I pack my bedsheets. Now to book my one-way ticket to orientation in South Korea!
It's a new leaf that wasn't easy to turn but in the end, I'm glad I did. Is Korea my favorite place to live, personally no. But it is a learning experience that has allowed me to mature greatly. I’ve made new life-long friends and discovered new hidden skills. Before moving to South Korea, I struggled to write a paragraph. Now, it has become a hobby and helpful way for me to inform others. If you're considering moving abroad, I say pray and go for it! It's an opportunity that not many can do. You'll grow, learn to appreciate the small details of life and you never know what hidden talents and opportunities you'll discover.
