The 10 day EPIK orientation which followed our arrival in South Korea was a well-oiled machine that churned out a crew of ESL teachers who were ready to take on the world. Our days were filled with ESL related lectures, orientation to the South Korean culture, language, food and brief introductions to South Korean history, politics and religion. All of this was topped with a thick layer of workshops dedicated to conveying insight into the South Korean educational system. You may be interested to know that the government here spends 20% of it's budget on education. Hmmm. Something to chew on. What's Canada's priority?
The most valuable piece for me during this time was all the advice offered concerning settlement within Korea and what to expect within our respective schools. Had I not had this timely advice, I may have been writing a very different blog from the comfort of my sister's/parent's/brother's homes in Canada. Above all I've learned that I have to be patient... Stop laughing. I CAN be patient, as long as things go according to my expectations, she says wryly. When all else fails we were advised to take a deep breath and remember to say, TIK. THIS IS KOREA! My deep breathing exercises have much improved since my arrival.
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