Today my mentor teacher asked if I wanted to extend for another half year or year. If I do extend, my mentor teacher told me that she will recommend me for the extension and place me closer to Seoul. I don’t exactly know what is considered closer to Seoul, but anywhere (minus Jeju-do) is closer to Seoul for me. I have until tonight to figure it out. ๐ฆ I trust that the decision in the end will be glorifying to God.
Being in Korea has had it’s ups and downs, but it has defo been an experience that I will never forget. In Feb of 2012 I remember hopping onto a plane for an international flight by myself for the first time and I’ve never felt so nervous to the point where I was shaking involuntarily. (A week prior to departure to Incheon, I had taken a plane by myself from SF to LA for the first time). Getting on the plane meant leaving the life I had in California for the past 21 years of my life and putting it on hold for an entire year. I came to Korea knowing only six words/phrases:ย ์๋ ํ์ธ์ (hello),ย ํ์ฅ์ค์ด๋์ธ์ (where’s the bathroom),ย ์๋ ํ ๊ณ์ธ์ (good-bye to the person staying),ย ์๋ ํ ๊ฐ์ธ์ (good-bye to the person leaving),ย ๋ญ (what), andย ์ฌ๋ํด์(I love you). Not knowing who I will meet and where I will be placed in Korea seemed like a super fun adventure but nonetheless a veryย nerve-wracking experience.
During orientation I met some amazing people from all around the world with different accents, way of life, backgrounds in careers and education, and goals all here to teach English in Korea. Although some TaLK scholars only became merely acquaintances, I believe that I have made a few of my closest friends here in Korea. They have been there for me through the rough patches and the fun times. Although it was bittersweet and will be bittersweet to part ways with the friends that I have made in Korea, I know God has placed them in my life for a reason and I am really glad that I was able to be part of the 8th generation of the TaLK program. I also became close to my mentor teacher who has become not only a mother to me, but has stood by my side when I was sick, had lice, had difficulties adjusting to Korea, and more. My students who have grown so much. Coming in to teach my 3rd graders was one of the more challenging things I have done in my life. My grade 3 did not even know the alphabet prior to my first day of class with them. But with a few adjustments and adding in a point & reward system on the sixth month, my students have learned so much and can respond in sentences for certain things. They have become one of my most favourite class. I also came across really sweet ย brothers and sisters in Christ at Wolgwang church in Gwangju, Jeonnam. There we were able to worship God and learn about what it means to serve God abroad. Cell groups or small groups after service with my sisters in Christ has been really encouraging and helpful to sustaining my walk with God. They have encouraged me to read the word, learn more about God and to share the Gospel.
Although I’m leaving in a few months, I’m really glad I received this opportunity to Teach and Learn in Korea. It was super challenging but one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. As this chapter is coming to a close, I am excited to see what God has in store for me as I journey onto the next chapter of my life.
โค
Tiffany in Korea 