Tonight was the last day of orientation. That means tomorrow I'll be meeting my co-teachers and moving into my apartment! They have done an excellent job of getting me excited, from lectures about teaching English and understanding Korean culture to music and other performances by really talented kids. (Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera to tonight's dinner/talent show, but I will try to snatch someone's video of the high school boy's folk drumming- it was absolutely incredible and will make you gasp to compare these kids with teenagers back home). I am falling in love with the country and the job before I've even started working. You might be thinking, "Well, sure Hayley, they dragged you around the world to teach their kids and aid them in their humble mission to conquer the world. Of course they are going to impress you with their Tae Kwon Do performances, fancy guest speakers, and full buffet dinners before dumping you at your school's doorstep." But, if I've learned anything about Korea this week, it's that community and relationships are the means and the end. Sharing food, drink, and talent is the Korean way of life.
That being said, the success of my entire year rests on the relationship I establish with my co-teacher(s). Epik has made it clear that this is by no means an easy process and warned us that not all co-teachers (who are Korean English teachers) want to work with a Native English teacher, not all of them speak English, and not all of them will even show up to class let alone help you plan a lesson. I'm hoping it's one of those, hope for the best, expect the worst type of deals.
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