Should I teach public or private school?
I always suggest public. While I've met people who have had both good and bad situations in private schools, you never really know what you're going to get. Public schools offer much more stability and most importantly, more vacation time.
But I don't know any Korean!?
No worries. Most people who come to Korea (like me) don't know any Korean. You'll pick it up as you go along, and hand gestures and body language work wonders.
Do you get paid enough?
YES! I've been able to live VERY comfortably, travel whenever I have the chance, and will still go home with some walking around money!
How is your apartment/living situation
I was really lucky to get a two room apartment (one bedroom, and one kitchen/living area). Most people just have one room (bedroom, kitchen, living area all in one). Every apartment has floor heating and and air (atleast in Daegu). The bathroom/shower are one in the same. Also, it's worth mentioning that you won't have an oven.
Most people have a nicer bed than I do!
There's no shower area, the shower just hangs over the sink which is convenient for cleaning :)
Was it easy to make friends (foreign/korean)
Yes! EPIK has a week-long orientation where you have the opportunity to meet tons of foreigners, exchange emails/phone numbers (if you're lucky enough to already have one). I have a Korean Language exchange partner who has become a really close friend. Koreans really want to practice their English, so post that you're looking for a Language Exchange Partner on the Daegu Language Exchange facebook page if you want to do Korean/English exchange.
What should I pack?
You should pack whatever you wouldn't be able to live without for a year. Everything you could want is available in Korea, but the quality might not be as good as it is at home.
- deodorant (available here, but might not be the brand you like)
- oatmeal
- shoes (if you're over a size 8, they won't have your size)
- tampons (available here, but sometimes hard to find)
- spices-for a little taste of home :)
- costco card (if you have one)
- fitted sheets (expensive here, most koreans just use a mat as a sheet)
- Books in English (more expensive here, although there are a few places online to buy cheap, namely, whathebook.com. I actually got a kindle, which is also a good investment if you like reading)
- Any toiletries you're really attached to-While they do have a lot of Western brands here, they don't have everything. And, the things that they do have are quite a bit more expensive.
- gum (if you like chewing gum)
- toothpaste (they only sell weird green tea toothpaste. If you're lucky, you'll find arm and hammer-but it'll cost you!)
- I recommend leaving your straightener and hair dryer at home-mine and everyone I know broke their's in the first month.
- electrical converter-you should get one at orientation and they're sold pretty much everywhere, but might as well bring one anyway.
- tea-black and chai tea are expensive/nonexistent. Green tea is available, but it's rice green tea (and in my opinion, not as good as the stuff at home)
- If you're not planning on getting a costco card bring coffee!
- bring whatever medicines you use for colds/allergies. Tylenol is widely available, but I know I wouldn't survive a cold without DayQuil/NyQuil.
- You won't have an oven. Every chance I get to use an oven I always attempt choco chip cookies, but vanilla extract is virtually unavailable-might be a good thing to bring?
- winter jacket-you can buy it here or have it sent later on.
- sticky tack to hang things on your walls.
- You should also bring a gift for your school. You don't need to bring anything big, and I actually bought a gift in Korea. However, they think it's extra special and cool if you bring something from the U.S. I suggest bringing something for your principal and vice principal. Or, alternatively, you could bring little candies for the whole office (everyone gets 1, which there should be around 40 if you're buying for the whole school). Anyway, some good suggestions are Maple Syrup, Honey, Bath and Body Works Stuff (tough because you don't know if you're p/vp will be male/female), salt water taffy, and really just anything "American." If you even mention that you brought it from home, they'll be thrilled no matter what it is. It definitely doesn't need to be expensive.
How is the food in Korea?
When I first came here, I have to admit, I thought I was going to starve. However, after the first month, I fell in love with so many Korean dishes (keep in mind, I'm vegetarian, so there won't be any meat on this list!):
- Bibimbap
- Bibimbap is my favorite dish! It's veggies and rice with a spicy red sauce all mixed together.
- Kimchi
- I hated kimchi when I first came here, but it's like crack! I can't stop eating it now! Kimchi is fermented cabbage in red sauce
- Juk
- Korean porridge that is delicious in the winter time. It comes in every flavor from pumpkin to veggie to meat
- Padjan
- A kind of "Korean Pancake" (not sweet) that's made from eggs, flour, and usually some kind of veggie
- Ddukbokkie
- chewy Korean rice cake in spicy red sauce
- Gimbap
- Another one of my favorites! Kind of like a cucumber roll, except it's filled with pickled veggies
As far as Western food goes, there's a Costco in Daegu, so I've taken advantage of that for oatmeal and coffee. EMart and HomePlus also have great selections of Western Products.
- Western Restaurants?
- Here are just a few in Daegu:
- Dunkin Donuts, Subway, Bennigans, Outback, TGI Fridays, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Dominos, McDonalds, Smoothie King, Loving Hut, Burger King, Taco Bell (in Seoul)
What are some manners in Korea
- Don't blow your nose/try not to wipe your nose at the table, this is EXTREMELY rude
- hand/accept things with two hands
- bow to people of authority or who you have just met.
- No low cut shirts and don't show your shoulders
- pour drinks for other people when their cup is empty
- always serve other people drinks, and either wait for them to serve you or serve yourself last
- Remove your shoes when you enter someone's house/traditional Korean Restaurants.
For me, the hardest part was living alone. I live about 30 minutes from Downtown Daegu, and for the first 6 months I didn't know many foreigners in my area. So, I'd either have to travel 30 minutes, both ways, to speak in (real) English with other foreigners. My solution: get a dog
Where have you traveled to?
All over Korea, Japan, Thailand, (and I have flights for Jeju and Indonesia) all in 1 year!
Do I need an degree in education?
No! As long as you have a bachelor's, you can teach in Korea!
How are the students?
The Middle School students that I teach are way better behaved than I was in Middle School, and always seem to (atleast try to) be on their best behavior.
Do you really co-teach?
Yes and no. I have 4 coteachers that always come to the class with me. Two of them grade papers in the back of the class, and translate when I ask for help. The other 2 actively help me in class, which I think really benefits the students. I do all the planning on my own.
How is the weather?
I can only account for what I've experienced thus far in Daegu. The summers are EXTREMELY hot and HUMID. I'm from Chicago and I've lived in Florida, but I've never experienced humidity like this! The winters are cold, not as cold as Chicago winters, but cold nonetheless. Take advantage of the Spring and Fall because the weather is BEAUTIFUL!
