So I went through training, which was helpful BUT we were on lock down due to the threat of swine flu. That was one week...learned all about being a Native English Speaking teacher.
Saturday my co-teachers came and picked me up and took me to shopping, to my apartment, and to my school! This is the day culture shock hit HARD! My co-teachers know very little English and trying to communicate was tough. I had no power to my appliances, I was overwhelmed and looking like a drowned rat between bad hair and the amount of sweat pouring from every crevice. It was quite a day.
Sunday was better. I went exploring...bought a new hair dryer and straightener. I felt normal again. I also found that I could power my computer and digital photo frame (shout out to roomies and roomies!)...ahh! It was a breath of fresh air! I found the "PC bang" to connect to the world. I managed to find my way home many times and I ate a really interesting meal of noodle soup (including clam sheels and shrimp with the heads still on.)
FYI...I am not trying to be witty right now...just state the facts! I am paying by the minute right now...suck!
Monday (today) was my first day of school. I managed to find the school again, though I did take the "long" route. Show up to find out that I will be confined to the teachers' office for fear of "Infulenza A" as they say...what we know and love as swine flu. Every day this week I get to make lesson plans for 8 hours straight...yippee!!! Of course this makes NO sense b/c all of the teachers are in the office AND the students waltz in like they own the place. I do, however, feel like the shiny new pet...they all come by and attempt some English and when they run out they smile and stare. It was an ego boost to have tons of Korean middle school girls tell me "you are beautiful"...sweet! I've got them fooled. I think it's the fake blonde hair they love, ha!
So, I am going to close with a few things I have learned and get out of this smoke infested, teenage boy hangout!
*Koreans don't believe in air conditioning
*Koreans don't really seem to sweat
*Koreans are skinny
*Koreans eat strange things like quail eggs and drink "rice water" (which has no taste) for dessert
*Koreans make their school students clean their school...NO KIDDING! (Today at 3 a parade of students came in to empty my trash, wipe my desk, and clean my floor. I like it!)
*Koreans are not claustrophobic!
Love from Korea...;o)
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Maybe Koreans are so skinny because they eat strange things:)
ReplyDeleteYou are doing great to identify and acknowledge the culture shock. I could send you some journal entries from our first few days in Indo and the would read similarly. We were even stuck in the teacher's lounge making lesson plans for eight hours a day at first...for classes that were not well defined (didn't know how many students of what ages or English ability). It's hard. You're doing great. Once you get internet in your apt, you will feel like you can breath again.
Thinkin bout you lots!
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