Experiences So Far

So we are down to two more days in JeonJu University. After that there won't be as much spoon feeding as we have been getting these past few days. I'm nervous but excited to leave on the path to Busan. I've learned so much in these lectures and activities that were in the orientation. For example, English is extremely hard to teach. I mean Korean students learn more than us in the grammatical aspect of English, so what do we really bring to the table. Our voice and experiences. We can all show these students that yes English is indeed hard to master, but mastering the language is not the goal. The goal is to be understood by a native english speaker. I can't even explain some aspects of English, so I haven't come close to mastering the language as well.

Aside from that, I've learned that k-pop idols should be praised. I took k-pop class where we are putting on a three mintue dance performance for the 300+ EPIK teachers and staff. Though we only have had two real days of practice, I still am amazed how people can match each other in dance. I guess I just have no rhythm whatsoever in me, but I had a blast in that class.

I guess I can't really say I am really submerged into the culture yet because we are surrounded with other native english speakers. So I hope I can improve my Korean and get involved in the cuture. I am a reserved person, so it takes me a while to open up to people. I'm trying to change that, but I guess it is harder to break an old habbit than make a new one.

To teachers out there, you are an amazing inspiration to me no matter what or how you teach. It takes a special kind of person to help other people and expect nothing really in return. I mean come on, who would want a job with horrible pay and long hours; not a lot of people. I am looking forward to the connections I make with students, though, I understand there are good days and bad days. We aren't going to be amazing 24/7 (though I will try). Good luck to everyone! My next post will be about my first couple days in Busan. I hope I will have internet by that time. :) ~Hwaiting!

Couple Days in and I'm Alive

I should introduce myself before I write on my culturally rich experiences in Korea. I'm Nicole Rootes. A 22 (almost 23 on September 1st) year old, fresh out of school, confused individual like most people who get a degree and still don't know what to do with their life. I'm from Minnesota where the stereotypically accent we have is "don't you know" and "you betcha!" However, I grew up in a confusing situation. I grew up in an American household until the young age of nine. After my mother got booted from our lovely townhouse, we were out of a home and a roof over our head. My sister's father, Hamidullah Khosti, took us in. I say sister's father because my mother and him are not married and never had been before. As you can probably tell from his name, he is from Afghanistan. So as you can imagine, going from an carefree American household to a strict Afghan household was a huge culture shock for me. But it made me more culturally aware as I grew up into the lady I am today. :) 

Okay, well I will write more about my childhood later because I would love to share my cultural experience and how I managed to adapt to the Afghan cuture. 

Anyways, getting back to being alive. I am, obviously, for my family members who thought I would die here. (cough mom cough)  I am having a great time here though. I met a lot of awesome people from all over the world. I learned how to pay for things in a convenience store and vending machines. I am picking my Korean back up. I had a lovely two second coversation with one of our lunch ladies in Korean about eating and kimchi. If you guys don't know, kimich is HUGE here. Every meal, kimichi is there. Everywhere I look, kimchi is right next to me. Basically if you don't like kimchi, you should learn. It is a whole separate food group here. I do love it and actually crave it at times even though I have it all the time already. 

Basically, I am alive and well. I miss home, friend, family and familiarity but I am having a blast. I do not regret coming here, and I look forward to the upcoming adventures. 

Until the next time I feel like writing ;) Annyeonghi-gaesayo.