It seems almost surreal that an entire year has gone by. Last Friday was my last day in Korea and I flew back to SF. Korea feels like only but a dream and somehow I managed to have friends from all around the world. It was difficult leaving my students who had taught for an entire year. My kindergarten students said their farewells to me with hugs and kisses.
I really wanted to post videos on what it is like to live in Korea. Example, what a one room apartment looks like.. but I had no idea my Ipad would delete my videos when I updated it. 😦 Sorrry guys. But for those who are considering Teach and Learn in Korea, feel free to leave a comment below and I will try my best to answer questions.
Coming back to America, I am currently experiencing reverse culture shock.
Language
Being able to understand what others are saying without playing charades is nice. But from time to time I find it difficult to not eavesdrop. However, that can be easily fixed, I hope. Sometimes it feels like I’m still in Korea and I have an expectation that they can speak Korean. But when I hear English coming out of their mouths, it’s mind-boggling.
Little Luxuries
I cannot emphasize how much of a luxury it is to own a dryer. Back in Korea I would have to use a dry rack to dry my clothes, which takes at least three to four days in the winter. When clothes are hung after they are wet, they have a tendency to have a cardboard feel to it. It’s so nice to take warm clothes out of a dryer in the winter rather than touching wet clothes when it’s about -3 degrees outside.
The weather. It was snowing when I left Korea and people didnt really complain that it was cold. But I complained about how schools couldn’t afford to turn on the AC during the summer when it hit 80-90 degrees with 80% humidity and -3 degree farhenheit winters. I eventually got use to seeing my breath while I used the restroom. And arriving to sunny San Francisco with 50 degree Fahrenheit weather, people were wearing thick coats and complaining about the weather being too cold. I can list more differences in culture, but all in all there’s no place like home.
Food
Coming back from Korea, I was amazed by how big the portions are and how cheap meat is. I can buy a ginormous platter of meat that can feed a family of six for only 20 bucks? Meat for one costs about 10,000 won (a little less than 10 bucks). Coming from a country that relies heavily on imported meats from America and other countries.
I miss eating real Korean food already. A few of my most favourite foods to eat in Korea are: dalkdoritong, raw sesame oil with hot chili flakes clams, raw beef bibimbap, street vendor foods, kimchi, school lunches, kimbab, fried chicken, mixed grained rice, purple bean rice, Korean grapes&pears. ❤
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I have news, but I’ll share later if it happens. (:
Tiffany in Korea 