* In March and April those coming into GEPIK through the Provincial Office of Education will be attending arrival workshops, based of Korean culture understanding, sharing teaching resources, and the academic year events. * In the coming months we will be organizing many orientations for Elementary and Secondary schools. * There will be district workshops in the near future so keep your ears open for further information!
8
GEPIK is growing ever so fast, establishing itself as a finer English program with quality teachers. It is gaining a quality reputation amongst GEPIK teachers as well as the recruiters themselves! So it's busy in the 'office' and here's the low-down on what's happening- * In March and April those coming into GEPIK through the Provincial Office of Education will be attending arrival workshops, based of Korean culture understanding, sharing teaching resources, and the academic year events. * In the coming months we will be organizing many orientations for Elementary and Secondary schools. * There will be district workshops in the near future so keep your ears open for further information! All the coordinators meet once a month to share ideas, as well as plan and organize workshops and orientations. Since our last meeting, we have designated districts where there were no coordinators before, so read on and see who to contact.. "Overall the orientation was a wonderful experience. Top of the list was the chance to meet and be around so many other people in the same situation. Originally, I hadn't thought it would be useful, because I am a certified teacher with several years experience, and one year experience living in Korea. I'm very happy that I went because I did learn a few new things about Korean culture and life. The best times were in the lecture about team teaching and in the lecture about living in Korea. The evenings served to help everyone release steam and get to know each other better, make friends, and swap ideas and experiences. I met quite a few new friends there and had a very wonderful experience. - Andrew Hill, DONGDUCHEON YANGJU Hoecheon Elementary "As gregarious GEPIK Coordinator, Dain Bae would say (and I merely paraphrase), "You don't have to go to Hongdae or Itaewon to meet foreign teachers and have a good time. You get to do this at the GEPIK Orientation!" Was she right? Oh, yeah. The Gyeonggi English Program in Korea put on a wonderful array of workshops and g-rated entertainment for its foreign teachers, and many a Facebook friend was made. Having a good social network is essential to people who work overseas. Not only can we exchange ideas on how to develop ourselves professionally, we can also help each other feel "at home", even thousands of miles away from where we were born. I learned many helpful things at the GEPIK Orientation. Thanks to Simon and Martina's informative website, I have been planning highly engaging and fun lessons for my students. For example, I had them draw pictures of K-Pop stars, like G Dragon, by letting them listen to me give detailed descriptions, in English. I think they're almost starting to like me! It's a good feeling. In conclusion, I would like to thank the GEPIK program for giving me the opportunity to interact with dynamic young people in the exciting, ever-changing world that is South Korea in the second decade of our young century. Cheers!" - Krista Precosky, GOYANG Wondang Middle "There were many useful and insightful workshops related to teaching in Korea, as well as cultural snapshots and surviving the Korean lifestyle. I was most impressed by the lesson planning and feedback sessions. During the role-play lesson planning session, other teachers were uncharacteristically comical, pretending to be their own students, all the while providing a realistic teaching environment. Helpful feedback was received, delivered tactfully by GEPIK coordinators for our specific region." - Dani Witte, UIJEONGBU Hyoja Elementary "I honestly was not sure what I expected when I was told to go to the GEPIK orientation in Osan. However, it was a priceless opportunity to meet other foreign teachers from my area, and it also came at a time when I was feeling frustration with work for the first time in the three months since my arrival in Korea. It's easy to feel under appreciated or left out because of lack of experience in teaching or the Korean language, but ultimately, we have to do our best to overcome this through positive communication. GEPIK reminded us to stop complaining about our co-workers, but to take the extra step to work with them. A better working atmosphere means a better work environment, even if it is difficult at first. We have support from the GEPIK Coordinators that service our regions, and we ultimately have support in a close network of teachers in our area. The solutions and ideas I learned from the experiences of other teachers and the lectures were immediately practiced in my classroom when I returned to work. Feeling more confident and creative, I am a teacher who can really help my students to learn English for their scholastic careers." - Jessica Hardie, GIMPO Ongjeong Elementary
Transcript
GEPIK is growing ever so fast, establishing itself as a finer English program with quality teachers. It is gaining a quality reputation amongst GEPIK teachers as well as the recruiters themselves! So it's busy in the 'office' and here's the low-down on what's happening-
* In March and April those coming into GEPIK through the Provincial Office of Education will be attending arrival workshops, based of Korean culture understanding, sharing teaching resources, and the academic year events.
* In the coming months we will be organizing many orientations for Elementary and Secondary schools.
* There will be district workshops in the near future so keep your ears open for further information!
All the coordinators meet once a month to share ideas, as well as plan and organize workshops and orientations. Since our last meeting, we have designated districts where there were no coordinators before, so read on and see who to contact..
"Overall the orientation w a s a w o n d e r f u l experience. Top of the list was the chance to meet and be around so many other people in the same situation. Originally, I hadn't thought it would be useful, because I am a cert i f ied teacher with several years experience, and one year experience living in Korea. I'm very happy that I went because I did learn a few new things about Korean culture and life. The best times were in the lecture about team teaching and in the lecture about living in Korea. The evenings served to help everyone release steam and get to know each other better, make friends, and swap ideas and experiences. I met quite a few new friends there and had a very wonderful experience.
- Andrew Hill, DONGDUCHEON YANGJU Hoecheon Elementary
" A s g r e g a r i o u s G E P I K Coordinator, Dain Bae would say (and I merely paraphrase), "Youdon't have to go to Hongdae or Itaewon to meet foreign teachers and have a good time. You get to do this at the GEPIK Orientation!"
Was she right? Oh, yeah.The Gyeonggi English Program in Korea put on a wonderful array of
workshops and g-rated entertainment for its foreign teachers, and many a Facebook friend was made. Having a good social network is essential to people who work overseas. Not only can we exchange ideas on how to develop ourselves professionally, we can also help each other feel "at home", even thousands of miles away from where we were born.
I learned many helpful things at the GEPIK Orientation. Thanks to Simon and Martina's informative website, I have been planning highly engaging and fun lessons for my students. For example, I had them draw pictures of K-Pop stars, like G Dragon, by letting them listen to me give detailed descriptions, in English.I think they're almost starting to like me! It's a good feeling.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the GEPIK program for giving me theopportunity to interact with dynamic young people in the exciting, ever-changing world that is South Korea in the second decade of our young century. Cheers!"
- Krista Precosky, GOYANG Wondang Middle
"There were many useful and insightful workshops related to teaching in Korea, as well as cultural snapshots and surviving the Korean lifestyle. I was most impressed by the lesson planning and feedback sessions. During the role-play lesson planning session, other teachers were uncharacteristically comical, pretending to be their own students, all the while providing a realistic teaching environment. Helpful feedback was received, delivered tactfully by GEPIK coordinators for our specific region."
- Dani Witte, UIJEONGBU Hyoja Elementary
"I honestly was not sure what I expected when I was told to go to the GEPIK orientation in Osan. However, it was a priceless opportunity to meet other foreign teachers from my area, and it also came at a time when I was feeling frustration withwork for the first time in the three months since my arrival in Korea. It's easy to feel under appreciated or left out because of lack of experience in teaching or the Korean language, but ultimately, we have to do our best to overcome this through positive communication. GEPIK reminded us to stop complaining about our co-workers, but to take the extra step to work with them. A better working atmosphere means a better work environment, even if it is difficult at first. We have support from the GEPIK Coordinators that service our regions, and we ultimately have support in a close network of teachers in our area. The solutions and ideas I learned from the experiences of other teachers and the lectures were immediately practiced in my classroom when I returned to work. Feeling more confident and creative, I am a teacher who can really help my students to learn English for their scholastic careers."
- Jessica Hardie, GIMPO Ongjeong Elementary
On December 9th 2009, there was a gathering of around 200 teachers including native teachers and Korean teachers at the Gunpo Uiwang Education Office. The purpose of this event was to present the native teacher's progress in the Korean class through a skit and song, and also to provide an environment for native teachers to communicate with other Korean teachers and vice versa, thus improve understanding between different cultures.
Everybody was handed a Santa hat as they entered the auditorium at the Gunpo Uiwang Education Office. During the first half of that evening, a short video clip was shown that reflected on the Korean class, from the beginning till now. Then the intermediate Korean class performed a skit in Korean and the beginners' class sang a song in Korean,"Sarang-bi" (by Kim Tae-woo). The skit was based on the story "Goldie Locks" but modified. It was written solely by the native teachers based on what they have learned during the Korean class; therefore it was very meaningful to them. The performers as well as the audience enjoyed the performance very much and had fun throughout the evening. This in bonus promoted other native teachers to consider in par ticipating in the upcoming 2010 Korean class.
I have been a teacher in Korea for over two years. My Hangul was very limited, and I honestly didn't study very hard. When the Education Office created a Hangeul class, I was very excited. For beginners they taught the alphabet, numbers and simple phrases. Then there was an intermediate/higher lever that learned more difficult phrases and vocabulary. A few months into the course, we were told that we would create a skit. We would perform it for all the other foreign and Korean teachers. Most of us were nervous and afraid we wouldn't be able to remember our lines. The skit ended up being a fun and effective way to learn Hangul. I actually learned more from preparing for the skit, than from class. Now, I use my lines from the skit in daily situations.
- Elizabeth Covey, GUNPO/UIWANG Dojang Elementary
The Korean class started last year in May and since then, I have put a lot of effort and time into making theprogram beneficial for our native teachers. Our Year-End Celebration was to show what our teachers have learned as well as to learn Korean, while preparing for the skit and song. Although it was not easy, that evening remains as a special memory to me. I hope that our performers are proud of themselves for making the evening successful. I would like thank them verymuch, as well as all the staff who helped out that evening .
- Seoa Park, GUNPO UIWANG District Coordinator
Here's some personal accounts of this event:
City, and I thought this would be ideal for me as I could speak both English and Korean, and narrow the gap between the Western and Eastern culture.
Each month, we feature an interview with coordinator. Here, Ivy, the District Coordinator for Yongin, shares about herself- Working as a Coordinator, I get to deal with a great number of
foreign teachers working in an alien culture from their own. I enjoy when I can provide advice, and bring the distance
Generally, people see me as a big, round, and scary person, between two cultures closer: between the co-teacher and the but I actually am very fun and bubbly. I feel that I tend to shy native teacher. My help provides information andaway from new people, but some disagree- so why not come understanding of the alien culture that they are in. Perhaps, and talk to me when you see me? Also, I get bad, dark circles this is the moment when I feel most proud of myself and myunder my eyes when I don't get enough sleep, so if you see position-when I feel like I've done so little, but was great help me with really bad, dark circles, please understand and talk to to them.me at a later point. Hehe! But as it involves dealing with humans, I think this is the most
difficult part of all. It doesn't matter how much I provide advice and explanations-both parties only stress their own positions. I
I can't be described in just one color. I'm like a rainbow! I have only hope and wish that they could open up a little towardsmany different characteristics (not that I'm two faced!)-I'm blue, each other, and consider each other's position.like a tom boy. But I can also be a passionate red, a bubbly yellow and feminine pink-all different sorts of colors!
As Korea is a totally new environment and a different culture than your own, there is no one to lean on, and we tend to get
I was born in Korea, but I spent most of my life living in the homesick a lot, but don't just stay at home! Try and spend States. Perhaps due to this reason, I had a desire to come and your time with friends, and do lots of socializing. Living andwork in Korea. So I waited until I graduated college to start learning about Korea is better done together, than alone-this applying for jobs in Korea, and accidentally came across will make your time in Korea more memorable and abundant.GEPIK. I heard of a District Coordinator position in Yongin
SNOW FESTIVALWinter in Korea has been interesting. No amount of time spent bearing the winters of America's Northeast could have prepared me
for my first winter in the RoK, which according to all my Korean friends is much colder than the previous years' seasons. This has been a winter fraught with bitter cold, inconvenient snowfall and perilous icy conditions. Thus, it was with no small amount of glee that I told my coworkers I would be taking a two-day vacation to Ganwang-do. Everyone, even my students said "Oh, teacher, cold!" At that moment, I didn't even know where we were going; all I knew that there was a festival involved and for all my fledgling hatred of winter, the idea of a festival was too exciting to pass up. On Sunday the 24th, we took a six-hour combination of bus-subway-bus from Gimpo City to Seoul to Taebaek City, a city surrounded by towering mountains and winding roads. The 17th Annual Taebaek Snow Festival had begun on the 22nd, and according to the pamphlet, we had missed the opening ceremonies, which included a snowball fight, a concert, and perhaps some speeches, but even two days later, the path up to the Coal museum's neon-light lined mining shaft was decorated by colored flower lights in the barren trees. We went to the coal museum first, and as uninteresting as it may sound, it was actually very good. The museum was a historical record of the progression of coal mining in Korea from the very early days to modern times, and also included an entire geological exhibit of fossils, minerals, crystals, sedimentary and volcanic rocks, among others. I'm a girl who loves geology, so I can say with no shame that it was pretty and awesome.
The next morning, we returned to the mountain to get the full scope of the festival in daylight. There were some areas for sledding, but most of the lower mountainside was dedicated to large and impressive snow and ice sculptures. Several ar tists line the road, offering to draw portraits. I got mine done, and I look a little more Korean for my efforts ^_^.
Last but not least, what kind of snow festival would this have been if there was no sledding? I'm not talking the kiddie hills that were by the ice sculptures, but the steep slope that you had to trek up a steeper hill to get to. Luckily there was a shortcut through the Coal Museum, and within minutes had our little wrist straps and our sleds. I've never gone sledding in Korea, but in America, it's never been so organized. And organized is fun. You can race your friend in the next lane without having to tell the stragglers at the bottom to "WATCH OUT!" because they've already been herded away. The festival ran from the 22nd to the 31st, and if we could have, I would have loved to see more of it. It was a great opportunity to get out of Gyeonggi-do and see a bit more of Korea, and to see great art and just to enjoy one of the festivals that give many of the cities in this country a life we don't often get to see, especially in the winter time.
- Jessica Hardie, GIMPO Ongjeong Elementary
Are you curious about what other teachers were doing this winter?
Check out these photos of GEPIK Teachers Winter in Korea!
Here are just a few images showing GEPIK teachers enjoying the winter a
ctivities all over Korea. There is so many
and various opportunities, so have your pick-Big Smiles ALL AROUND!
It was thrilling to learn of our day trip to the DMZ, the area has a lot of significance yet
the history there is bittersweet. I remember the day was drizzling and cool, but I was
determined to enjoy the experience. Waiting to leave, so many teachers came, I met
some people from my orientation, some from open classes.
After a short bus ride across the bridge, a soldier came on board and asked to see our
ID cards. He had a stern demeanor. Life this far north can't be fun, can it? We came to a
stop called the "Third Tunnel." We walked through a museum made to brief us on the
history of the DMZ. It was sad. There was a short movie about the DMZ at the end of the
exhibit where we learned about four tunnels dug by the Northern Army and a wildlife
preserve at the DMZ. After the movie we started down the "Third Tunnel". When we
finally got to the bottom on the left, and there was a little train that took visitors to the
surface. Looking down the dark corridor my hear t froze. The ceiling was quite low,
maybe 5 foot 10 inches (something like 175cm to non-yanks) and I am 6 foot 4 inches
(194 cm). I should have turned around right away- but I marched forward. Thank
goodness that helmet had some soft foam underneath the hard plastic. As I trod forward
all that was heard was the sound of my head slapping the granite and giggles from
observers. Later, we went to an observatory where we saw North Korea through
binoculars.
The last stop was pretty interesting, Dorasan Station, which was the last train station
before going to Kaesong, North Korea. We had an opportunity to take photos with the
DMZ soldiers, and there were more cool souvenirs from North Korea. I picked up some
gifts for friends, and we were moved back to the bus for dinner.
The night was really great, hopefully there are more opportunities for native English to
see Korea together. Thanks so much for giving us time to meet each other, get a little
fresh air and go somewhere cool!
- Michael Vilabrera, GOYANG Ohma Elementary
Even if you are at a district where you don't have a coordinator, have a look here on who to contact for support and advice:
District Coordinator Main District Also covering
Yongin
Gwangju/Hanam
Icheon
Gunpo/Uiwang
Anyang/Gwacheon
Seongnam
Dongducheon/Yangju
Goyang
Gimpo
Ansan
Hwaseung/Osan
Suwon (Middle & High schools)
Guri/Namyangju
Yeoju and Yangpyeong
Gwangmyeong
Siheung
Suwon (Elementary schools)
Yeoncheon, Pocheon, and Gapyeong
Uijeongbu, Paju (Elementary schools)
Bucheon, Paju (Middle & High schools)
Anseong
PyeongtaekWe're always here to help! ^^
In Korea, we celebrate the New Year TWICE! - the New Year according to the solar calendar; and Seollal according to the lunar calendar.
Seollal (Korean word for Lunar New Year, also known as Gujung) falls on the first day of the first month by the Lunar calendar. This year, it fell on St. Valentine's Day, 14th Febuary (BUT do note, that it changes each year, as lunar calendar has only 354 days a year!). It is one of Korea's most important holidays. During this time, people travel across the nation to visit their home towns and meet with their relatives.
The family gathering involves performing the ancestral ritual, known as Charye. Preparing food, exchanging pleasantries, playing games and exchanging words of well-wishing are a few that they do. It is a time to gather together and enjoy being in each other's company.
Traditional food called, Tteokguk is a dish consumed especially during Seollal, and is made of meat broth and sliced rice cakes. Sebae is a filial-orientated bowing activity observed during Seollal. Particularly young children do sebae to their elders, wearing traditional clothes, called Hanbok. Sebae is done performing one deep traditional bow with words wishing them good health and blessings for the New Year (" " / Sae-hae bok ma-ni ba-deu-sae-yo). In return, the elders reward this gesture by giving Sebaetdon (New Year's money) and offer words of wisdom. Afterwards, the family plays Yutnori, which is a traditional Korean board game.
Way to SebaeThe following images show how males and females do Sebae:
"I went to my friend's family's traditional ceremony. His grandma requested me to bow. I was happy to oblige. I got some money too!"
"We celebrated in true South African style. We had a traditional South African meal consisting of potato salad, green salad, garlic bread, boerewors steak and some good wine and for just a minute it felt like we were back home. At the time I suffered from a sprained ankle from playing around in the snow too much, so we stayed inand watched movies and ate tons and tons of TobleroneJ."
"Went to Yongpyong for some snowboarding, frolicked in the snow, sang and danced to music from the 90's, frolicked in the snow. We got our underwear raided and cut up by some crazy women. I did some more snowboarding carved up some mountain sides, bailed hard and ate lots of snow and sandwiches. Slept late and woke up early."
"I was very boring on the New Years Holiday. I spent the entire day playing with my cat, calling people back home in the U.S., building model airplanes, and watching House on the computer. I spent Monday with friends in Bosan; shopping, entertainment, and generally a fun time."
HAPPY NEW YEAR
I come from Los Angeles where Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is terminating teachers faster than you can say John Connor. Unemployment is soaring in all areas.
Last May, I found myself like many others, searching the endless labyrinth of craigslist hoping for some salvation by sor ting out the scams from actual jobs. It did indeed seem hopeless. In between the ads for homework help, nannies and part-time nude models, my eye kept catching upon an ad to teach English in Korea. After almost a month of resistance, out of sheer desperation, I clicked upon this ad that I was positive was not for me, if it even was a real job at all.
The ad said some things that did intrigue me, and I did meet the minimum qualifications.
Over the next few weeks I began to think about it more seriously. What if this was actually something I could do, something real. Could I trot off to some other country, to a completely unknown land,
leaving behind everything and everyone familiar to possibly end up making shoes for Wal-Mart? OK, what did I have to lose? Crazier things have turned out great. Right?
Well, I have been in Korea for 5 months now, and I can honestly say it is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my entire life. Sure, I was definitely nervous when this guy I had
never met before picked me up at the airport, took me on a 3 hour drive into the middle of nowhere, 6,000 miles from everything and anyone familiar to me. Yes, I was scared when on my third
day in Korea, I found out I was not only teaching high school but college, and had 10 minutes to prepare. I was totally thrown off every time I entered a classroom and the students screamed, as if I were a rock star or maybe an alien. Being a vegetarian, I was somewhat challenged by the huge selection of meat in the school cafeteria. And trust me, the list of overwhelming surprises goes on.
So, why do I think this is one of my best decisions, aside from the fact that I do actually work at a school and not a factory? Well, that is easy. I fell in love with the people, my students, the teachers, the agricultural school where I work, my small town of Yeoju, and most of all Korea itself. Korea has a centuries long history and culture to share with anyone willing to see it. Korea has beautiful mountains, rivers and streams, touches the ocean and the sky, provides culture and excitement that rivals any big city across the globe, and even gives you public transportation to get there.
I have had good things happen to me in my life, and I have had bad things happen to me in my life. I took this bold life-changing step and I will never ever be sorry for it. Anyone with a strong sense of adventure and a true love for learning can do the same.
- Peggy Bushnell, YEOJU Yeoju Youngnongup High
GEPIK Teacher Talks
Five months have passed since experience of teaching students at Tongjin Middle School has also having arrived in South Korea and Tongjin Middle School has been a made me recall my own memories never had I imagined myself as a fun filled adventure with many little of my days back in school, when myteacher let alone teaching English sweet surprises along the way. It English teacher made learning the as a foreign language in a foreign has allowed me the free will to think language fun and interesting whichcountry. Nevertheless, I took the out of the box and that is one thing brought with it an abundance ofplunge to embark on a journey that I am grateful for. As a teacher, I had laughter. I, in turn, hope that mywas bound to be eye opening, life to place myself in my students students are enjoying my lessons aschanging and an experience way s h o e s a n d a s k t h e m o s t much as I love teaching it to them.beyond my imagination. fundamental question, "How would
I have liked to learn a foreign Above all, I have learned a lot in My arrival at Tongjin Middle language if I were them?" this short space of time and have
School was with out a doubt the really immersed myself in themos t hear twar ming . I was In all honesty, sometimes it felt as Korean culture. I am also verywelcomed with open arms by the though my efforts were in vain even grateful to everyone at my schoolschool. Not once did I feel many though I would be very excited to including the students for theirmiles away from South Africa, teach the lessons. Most students generosity, their patience, and theirdespite the two countries' vast were either not interested, just acceptance of me.differences. Yet, there were many times purely shy, too tired, or just did not I had to remind myself that I am in understand or want to learn the Thanks and Kind Regards.Korea and that I would have to language at al l. Not being one to embrace the culture withanopen-mind. give up so easily, it took sheer -Cheryl-Anne Smi th, GIMPO
I have also gained the outmost determination and a whole lot of Tongjin Middlerespect for teachers. It's tougher energy to get my students excited. than I thought! However, my
A mere glimpse of an experience thus far!
While in Korea, you will experience some form of culture shock. It might be while biting into what you think will be a Remind yourself of all the good things Korea has to offer. Likedelicious pastry, only to get a mouthful of "I can't believe it's not cheap beer, affordable and stylish specs, efficient publicchocolate" red bean paste. Or it could be getting on the wrong transport, and a friendly community that is (usually) overjoyedbus and ending up two hours from school during your first week. at the sight of a foreigner. Korea may seem overcrowded and(You mean Asan and Ansan are two different places?). No overdeveloped, but remind yourself that within minutes from matter how much you have traveled, culture shock still your apartment there is always a GS Mart for your kimbap and happens; it's a sense of loneliness, disorientation, or confusion soju, a noraebang where you can sing your heart out, a that occurs simply by being in a foreign environment. Yet, do not pharmacy for the headache said noraebang has given you, and fret. We are here to give you 5 tips to deal with the inescapable a bank to give you the cash flow to pay for it all. Korea is a discomforts of the excellent adventure that is being an English small country, and we happen to live in the most populated teacher, here in Korea. province, embrace this fact.
Everybody will tell you this, but trust us, it helps. Most When things seem too strange to swallow, rationalize. Ask importantly learn to read the alphabet. It will help you when yourself why things may be the way they are. Do some research,taking a bus, reading a menu, or just getting to know your town. read your Korean History. The Japanese occupation, for example,You will surprised at how much of what you read is actually has had a big influence on Korean mentality. Respectfully, ask aKonglish! (Coffee, spaghetti, condo ). Learning Korean shows Korean friend or your co-teacher to explain the back story to respect for the culture, but it also gives you a sense of freedom something you can't understand. You will be surprised by the and independence in your everyday life. Also, the Korean answers you get.alphabet is amazingly easy to learn, so stop being lazy and justlearn it!
Some things you won't find an explanation for. Such as eating silkworm larva eggs (bbundegi) that smell like, well, poop, or
Most likely, Korea is vastly different from your home country. dogs with hot pink ears and a neon green tail, men carryingIt's very easy to compare, especially with your Western friends. purses, leaving the windows open but the heat blasting, or lastly No doubt you've done it already. We all do it, its part of the way the silent killer in Korean society? THE FAN. (If you don'twe try to adjust. But the more you do, the more frustrated you understand this wiki Fan death, and enjoy). How to cope with will be with the differences. The Korean school system for such cultural anomalies? Just shrug your shoulders, laugh andexample, often makes no sense to us. But it is has been this way say WTK Welcome to Korea.for decades, and it's not going to change just because you complain about it. Constantly pointing out the differences will Suggested Further Reading...leave you feeling more estranged from the culture. Don't be the Culture Shock! Korea (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide toloud obnoxious person at the bar saying how much better your Customs and Etiquette)country does things? let's be honest we all know one person like By Sonia Vegdahl Hur and Ben Seunghwa Hurthat.
#3 Focus on the Positive
#1 Learn Korean #4 Rationalize and Research
#5 Have a sense of humor!
#2 Avoid Comparisons.
How to Take Some of the
Shock out of Your Experience
in the ROK
I have often made the case to friends that the greatest lessons we can ever learn, lie not in the classroom, but in the life experience gained during and through the art of traveling. For example, experience has shown me that there is a direct relationship between the number of perplexed and confused looks on the faces of family and friends who question my travel choices. Without fail when preparing for one trip or another, there are two questions I am repeatedly asked. They are; "You're going WHERE!?!" which is almost always immediately followed by,"WHY?" Given the number of funny looks I received in the weeks prior to arriving here in Korea, I fully expected this to be one of the greatest travel experiences of my life. Fortunately, the wisdom of that example continues to hold true and I am, in everyway, falling in love with Korea.
That's not to say that there haven't been some speed bumps along the way. Every seasoned traveler knows that some adjustments are required to adapt to and find comfort in the new reality of their situation and we've all had to make a few. One related and road-worthy thing I've learned along the way is that adversity is the kind of teacher that throws at you the lessons youmost need to learn, usually at the most inconvenient of times. Now, as a new teacher myself, I've found that holds true inside the classroom as much as it does on the road. In fact, I'm finding that most of those lessons we gather through our travel experiences uniquely prepare and equip us for the challenges of being teachers. That could be the single most impor tant thing I've learned in a classroom. I now believe my life and travels have given me the core of knowledge I need to ensure that each of my students are learning and progressing everyday. The skill set comes with practice, but knowledge, that comes with every mile of every journey, every day we spend traveling through our world.
Happy New Year! Have a great 2010.- Evan di Lauro, GOYANG Yangjin Elementary
Lesson Learned Outside the Classroom
On March 1, 1919 the Korean people declared their nation's independence from Japan. We commemorate this day; it was a catalyst for the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea (April 13, 1919). This day is a National celebration day, where you will the National flag raised.
This day is to esteem the personalities of children and plan for their happiness.
In Korea, Buddhism is the one of two major religions. On this day, the birthday of the Gautama Buddha is celebrated.
Here are some suggested events happening in Korea?
* : Mar 12-14[http://crab.yd.go.kr]
Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do It takes four and a half hours to get from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Yeongdeok by express bus. Take a cab from there.
* : Mar 17-21 C h e o n g d o B u l l f i g h t i n g g r o u n d , Gyeongsangbuk-do
There is lots more information online, why not start at [http://www.whatsonwhen.com] - BUT DO NOTE: this website offers worldwide events and festivals! Hope this will help you make most of your time in Korea.
Events in Mar-May
As always, we are open to your GEPIK stories and experiences, so get emailing! ([email protected]). You never know?it might be your story that gets published in the next issue! With love, Bibimbap Team
Chief Editor : Dain Bae. Editors : Ary Kim, Grace Hwang, Jaemee Kim, Victoria Oh.
Bibimbap Editorials
Special thanks to our contributors..
National Holidays in Mar-May
I've lived in Korea for 2 years. My hobbies are reading, taking photos, eating The local foods, movies, live shows, and watching Seinfeld.
Hello everyone! I am currently writing to you from Siheung the oddest shaped city in South Korea (grab a map and see for yourself), where I work as an English teacher at Gunseo Middle School. I am from an elite group of people whom I have dubbed the "The Korea Rebounders". In 2008, I worked at a middle school in Ansan? then left Korea after my contract finished in September. Yet, somehow the siren song of the land of the morning calm called me back. So, in the midst of my second round here, I want to share my experiences and offer some tips to my fellow GEPIK teachers. I am no expert, I still each day find something that shocks, enlightens, or surprises me? and this is what keeps me coming back for more. I look forward to sharing these surprises and revelations with you in the future.
I'm from a small city called Prince George, which is in the middle of British Columbia, Canada. Currently, I teach at Wondang Middle School in Goyang-si, where I entertain young teenagers by mispronouncing their names.
My name is Cheryl-Anne Smith, I am born and bread Capetonian, proudly representing South African, a former political analyst turned GEPIK teacher since September 2009.
I am 51 years old. I have 28 years teaching experience. I was married for 20 years, have been divorced for 10. I have a 30 year old son who lives in Los Angeles. I have had good things happen to me in my life, and I have had bad things happen to me in my life. I took this bold life-changing step and I will never ever be sorry for it. Anyone with a strong sense of adventure and a true love for learning can do the same.
Hi! I'm Jessica, a 22-year-old American from New Jersey, currently working at Ongjeong Elementary School in Gimpo City. I guess one interesting thing about me is that I speak Japanese, even though I currently work in Korea :). Hope to share more experiences with you all soon!
