So here I am finally getting around to updating this and taking some photos after being here for a month! Time has been flying by, and I really have been enjoying Seoul and everything that it has to offer so far. I am teaching at a school called "Boston Campus". The school includes both a kindergarten, which takes place from 10 am until 2:40 pm, and a afternoon program for older elementary school students to come and learn English after they go to their regular school. It has been challenging for me to learn how to teach and manage a classroom with 6 year-old students and is a far cry from the style of teaching I did in Samoa. I enjoy the kids, but I find the babysitting part of the job to be a bit frustrating. However, I am learning to be patient and really beginning to become attached to my students. The older children in the afternoons are great and really intelligent. I enjoy discussing things with them and seeing their energy and enthusiasm for learning English. Some of them spend nearly 12 hours a day in a classroom setting, so I respect them immensely for their unwavering work ethic. It is really a reflection on the culture as a whole. Koreans are very hard workers and never seem to complain about how much they have to do. It is very different then my countrymen back home!
So outside of school, I have been attempting to speak and learn some Korean which is difficult. I have been bad about making time to study, but I am starting a language exchange with some of the teachers at school once a week. I think it will provide a more structured approach to learning instead of trying to just pick things up as I go. Other then that, life is good here. The city is huge, and I have enjoyed wandering around. I have a week off for Xmas and am planning to go into the mountains for some snowboarding which should be a blast.
Anyway, that is the update for now. I have attached a few pics from my kindergarten class and will put some more on soon. We have a school Xmas party this week which should be a good time for pictures. I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday.
