Feeling The Love

Many people enjoy the rewarding feeling of helping to shape the future of our world by influencing our young people to aspire to greatness. Though often very frustrating, teaching children can be a truly rewarding experience for those with patience and understanding. This past week I have learned that for someone as superficial and egotistical as I am, teaching adults is far more rewarding.

My first week at Pagoda I received several small gifts from students who wanted to show their appreciation of my efforts. Cookies, cans of juice, small pins, all very little things that meant so much to me. I even received a can of mango juice as a gift from a very sweet girl that's not in any of my classes. The little things make me happy, and the gift giving part of Korean culture is definitely something that I love.

My absolute reassurance for teaching adults began last Saturday. I blew off a soccer game to hang out with one of my students. It was absolutely worth it. Though Lauren is a sweet, funny and beautiful person, I was unsure how the day would go. I'm teaching lower level classes, so her English is not great, but she works harder than any of my students, often staying after class to do supplemental work independently. We ended up spending the entire day together in a traditional part of Seoul, checking out a palace and museum, and eating dinner. Before any of you start getting ideas, know that she's my student, has a boyfriend, and is moving to Australia in a month. That being said, I couldn't imagine a better way to spend a Saturday. It is great to be able to make friends with Koreans, something I wasn't able to do my first three months in here.

The gifts kept coming this week. After one of my evening classes yesterday, two girls who knew I was hungry but had another 2 hour class before I could eat ordered me to stay put in the 4th floor lobby. They came back 5 minutes latter with some some crackers and a latte they had bought for me. I don't drink latte, but the kind gesture melted my heart.

After my morning classes today, Lauren took me out for coffee (tea for me please) and gave me a great birthday gift. As I write this, I'm listening to the second of two cds full of Korean music. She spent time hand picking and downloading songs she thought I'd enjoy based on ... well she didn't really have a lot to base it on.

At noon I met up with an ajoshi (respected businessman) who is a student in my 7am class. Earlier in the week, he had insisted on taking me out to lunch today. Eating a meal in foreign culture that has strict rules with an ajoshi who is only learning to speak English is not the most comfortable situation. It is however, a show of appreciation that I will forever appreciate.

The respect that most my students show for me is remarkable. The few that go above and beyond are who make an experience like this truly rewarding.


Only In Korea

Not only is Lauren my favourite student, but she's one of my favourite people right now. I absolutely don't mean to make fun of her or embarrass her, but I really want to share this response simply to illustrate a cultural difference. Something that you'd just never say in the west is considered a compliment in this funny little place:

1. Talk about a famous or interesting person you have met.

When I went to pagoda for first class in this month, there were a lot of foreiner teacher and students. I wondered who is my teacher. Then I've met him on the 3rd floor in Pagoda. His head was more smaller than mine. ^^; and he has worn glasses so seems to be smart.He was Jay. He said he was from in Canada. He was first person who I met Canadian.

Turning A New Leaf

The last few weeks have been eventful. Unfortunately, I haven't had Internet to publish all the excitement. I'm currently relaxing in a coffee shop near me that has WiFi. An Earl Grey is more expensive than Starbucks, but it's a neat place with a cool atmosphere and some chilled out acid jazz. As the table next to me is getting up to leave, I'm suddenly realizing that I'm the only guy in this place. I guess in Korea Seven Monkeys doesn't mean viral apocalypse, but means girls drink expensive iced lattes. I actually only count three monkeys... maybe there's more upstairs.

Today is the last day of a three-day-weekend. People are out and about, but seem more relaxed than their usual hectic selves. Tomorrow is back to work, and the start of my second week at Pagoda, my new school. My first week was great. The only complaint is that with a split schedule of 07:00 to 10:00 and then 18:00 to 22:00, I don't get to enjoy very much sleep, unless I take a nap in the middle of the day. Still, remarkably when my 07:00 class starts, I'm able to muster up a bundle of energy to expel into my class. Some classes are extremely easy, with students eager to express their opinions. Other classes are more difficult, and I have to pick on people to elicit conversation. It humours me when all the students avoid eye contact with me during class discussions, hoping I won't ask their opinion. They paid for a conversation class, but I guess they hoped I would be doing all the conversing.

The teachers at Pagoda are complete opposites to the teachers at Maple Bear. They're loud, rude, obnoxious and will make fun of you any chance they get. I love them! There's around 40 teachers at Pagoda, compared to 7 at Maple Bear, so it's easy to find somebody to talk to. Also the teachers are much less stressed, and more outgoing. I'm happy that I no longer have to deal with the cliquey high school atmosphere of Maple Bear, but I do miss the few friends that I did have, mostly Tim, my single Korean friend. I still hang out with Daniel, just not as frequently. The one hour trek on the always crowded subway means meeting for a quick dinner is impractical.

Moving to the the other end of the city meant that I had to leave the apartment that I loved so much. I don't miss it. My current apartment is less than exciting, and I'm lighting candles in attempt to defeat the funky smells, but the excitement of the area easily makes up for everything. Everyone in Gangnam is between the age of 20 and 30. There's actually army men with guns at Gangnam Station, checking IDs and ensuring that only youthful people get off the subway. No children or old people welcome.

Three months of in Korea, and finally things feel right. This is what I was expecting when I came here. It's only been a week, but my first week with Pagoda has been much more enjoyable than my first week with Maple Bear. I hope it will continue to be enjoyable for another 51 weeks.