18 Months in Korea. 1 post.

I've successfully finished teaching for 18 months in Korea. I learned a lot about teaching, Korean culture, myself and my desires while I was here. I managed to save a lot of money by working incessantly and I had fun while doing it. I was asked by a friend what the three things I will most the most are about Korea and I answered: the kids I teach, the freedom foreigners have in Korea to do as they please, and the money I've been able to amass. The kids have been the most enjoyable part of my life here, and they've shown me that I want to teach young children for many years to come. This is the most positive thing to have come out of my experience here.

While I could gripe about Korea until the sun comes up, I've decided to share a few positive things about Korea and leave it at that. First, Korea is the safest country I've ever been to - and that includes Canada. There is no serious crime, rape or robbery. I have felt safe since the day I arrived and nearly everyone I know feels the same way. This is a thing of beauty that I wish could be replicated at home. Second, the public transportation is the best I've experienced and with everything in English as well as Korean, it is very easy to use. Add to the ease the low cost (a subway ride is less than a 90 cents Canadian), and getting around is cheap and easy. Third, the convenience of things like alcohol (sold in convenience stores) and delivery of all things under the sun make for comfortable living that I will miss in Canada.

As I leave Korea after 18 months, I know that I will miss the children and many of the people I've met. Most of those people I will never see again, but such is life when one lives and travels abroad. I've matured (maybe too much) and understand myself more now, and with a bank account well stacked, I'm ready to see what I can learn on the road in Asia. My first stop is in Borneo , where I will hike, swim and trek my way across the northern part of the island for three weeks.