Good news- I have finally moved into my apartment here in Bucheon! I have been living in a hotel since I arrived Tuesday evening. This is when I do a musical montage to catch you up on the past few days...just kidding.
Tuesday, Solomon- my program director- dropped me off at the hotel and helped me figure out my key card to get into the room, the air conditioner (the location of it not how to work it...that will come later), and the computer. He told me to email my mom and dad right away so they know I arrived safely (you can thank him later! haha). That night I had a lot of trouble getting to sleep because by midnight it was about 11:00 in the morning back home. I slept a few hours then woke up to meet Solomon and his daughter Liz to show me the school! I arrived to find my own shoe cubby with slippers to wear throughout the school and a desk that I will be using all year long. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were observation days for me to just sit in on some of my future classes as well as classes of other teachers so that I could get a feel of the students and subjects. To be honest it was a bit overwhelming at first! So many different books and students and assignments, I wasn't sure how I could handle it all, but I plan on spending this weekend getting organized.
I will have 2 kindergarten classes in the morning from 10:00-2:00ish and then 5 Elementary classes (alternating days between MWF classes and TTh classes). The students are similar American students in that they talk and scream and have difficulty paying attention for long periods of time- they are not perfect little angel robots as I was lead to believe by some. The difference is the true desire to please the teacher! My new name is "Laura Teacher", which I will answer to from now on :)
I was so lucky to see the "Birthday Party" celebration at school on Friday! All the students learn a song to sing in English in front of the rest of the school. My class learned "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" from the teacher I am stepping in for, and another class learned "On top of Spaghetti"! I am so looking forward to teaching my class some songs- if you have any ideas let me know!
The other western and Korean teachers are all so kind and welcoming! They showed me around and helped when I looked like a deer in headlights. We have gone out to lunch and dinners around the town and I have had some absolutely delicious food! They do like their drinks here...Soju and Mezza (liquor and beer) are a staple ingredient to all dinner parties. I am looking forward to making my own food in this apartment as well as trying a lot of new dishes. It turns out to be cheaper to go out and get food sometimes because groceries can be expensive. I still need to go to a grocery shop- although I did grab some shampoo, conditioner (I think...) and laundry detergent at a small corner store nearby! I cannot wait until I feel comfortable enough to walk around and know where I am going...at the moment this is not the case haha.
For now I am going to unpack my things and organize my lessons for next week because I officially start my teaching position Monday morning! Wish me luck :)
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| ticket to Seoul |
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| Airplane Anchovies...The girl next to me (also a western teacher) asked me if they had eyeballs...yep, they did. |
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| They were kind enough to give us directions on how to eat Bi-bim-bap on the plane, thanks! |
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| View from my hotel room- the large grey building is actually my apartment building now! |
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| What every block looks like- which is why I am having some difficulty remembering where I am at the moment... |
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| A dish from the staff dinner- yes those are ice-cream sprinkles! |
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| Family style dining where we share a central dish and TONS of side dishes! |
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| Singing in the Norebang (karaoke room) |
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| Photo booths where you can add stickers, etc! |
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| My apartment!! :) Bed is up on the loft. |
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| My apartment, view from the door, under the loft in the previous picture! |
Bye! 안녕히계세요!
