myepiklife-blog

[myepiklife-blog]

So I heard you can save money in Korea. So after 2 years of working in Korea, I'm curious, how much were you able to save? I am also thinking of going to Korea to teach English.

Yes, you can save quite well in Korea. Rent is included and depending on where you are from you could be exempt from paying tax for up to two years. Some people are able to save about $1000 a month and still be able to travel and go out in the weekends. Of course, it can depend on whether your in a private or public school, or on your contract. Or just how frugal you are.

With my contract, we were given bonuses at the end of each year and a re-sign bonus as well. A friend was able to leave Korea with $10,000 without even saving.

[myepiklife-blog]

I'm working on applying to epik this august, I was wondering what you did for your tefl certificate, did you take an online class? or in person?

I did my TEFL certificate online and if I remember correctly it was a 120 hour one. If you can afford it, or have the time, I would recommend doing an in person one, which requires you to practice as if you were in a live classroom, just to get used to the feeling of standing at the front of a classroom. But if you are okay with that already, that an online one should be sufficient enough.

[myepiklife-blog]

From one thing to another

So I've finally got some time to write a final post. It has been 18 days since my contract ended with EPIK. What a whirlwind it has been since then! From packing my whole  life into boxes and sending them to two countries, all within 2 days, and busing to Jeonju and then to Seoul to spend our final  3 days.

Korea has been amazing. The last 2 years have been a constant emotional rollercoaster ride. While I have loved nearly every minute of being here, I was totally ready to move onto the next chapter in my life (with a little bit of travels and adventures beforehand). 

Here is what I've taken away from living here:

- Work hard and reap the rewards. Their work ethic is something I haven't seen or experienced before. Everyone is vying to be number one and their schooling and worklife is very cut-throat. While it's something I don't think I could ever live in, it has given me a new insight into how to apply myself in future work roles. 

- Match your clothes and you show you love your significant other more! Couple matching- I'll never understand!

- Good government medical insurance goes a long way. Come on NZ. 

- Appreciating the social politeness of most western countries. Koreans are not subtle at all when it comes to your appearance. While I don't take things personally, I know this can hurt one's self image greatly.

These are just among the few things I've observed or learnt since being in Korea. But those are the ones that come mind right now.

There isn't too much else to say. Gunsan has been an awesome second home, but time for me to move on. I'll sign off now and who knows, maybe I'll be back teaching in Korea again. 

[myepiklife-blog]

The start of something new

This is just going to be a short post as I am doing this off my phone. My laptop has been sent to America and unfortunately this computer at my motel has Internet explorer that doesn't support tumblr. So yesterday was my final day of my EPIK contract. After a very hectic morning, one I'd rather forget, I was finally making my way out of Gunsan. It still is a strange feeling knowing I won't be going back and reality has still yet to sink in. For the next few days il be in Seoul before heading to my first destination on Saturday. Il update more when I finally get on a computer.

[myepiklife-blog]

End of year farewell dinner for the teachers at Seohae Elementary.

[myepiklife-blog]

My last day ever at this school- Gunsan Seohae Elementary. 4 more days.

[myepiklife-blog]

Graduation day for my 6th graders.

[myepiklife-blog]

NANTA- The funniest show I've been to

If you are every in Seoul I highly recommend watching a show called NANTA. It is a non-verbal comedy show that includes traditional samulnori beats (traditional Korean music and instruments). It's a show for all ages and all nationalities. 

The actors were amazing and were very good at their job. I have never laughed so hard in my life! Such an enjoyable show, one I could watch over and over again. They also have some parts where the audience participates and if you wanted to try get a chance to go up on stage, I advise sitting closer to the edges of the rows. 

They pretty much have shows every day, 3 times a day. There are two, possibly three, theatres in Seoul and on in Jeju. As the theatres are small the shows get booked out pretty fast so best to book online in advance. Their website has an English option so it's all very easy to follow. I went to their theatre in Myeongdong. It was nice and intimate and then you could go shopping before (or after).

This show has been running since about 1997 and became very popular very quickly. They have also toured internationally. It's just that good!

Go watch it!

http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/nanta/en/intro.aspx

The audience are forbidden to take pictures while inside the actual theatre, so this is the only photo you get.

[myepiklife-blog]

- namsan tower - myeongdong - shabu shabu and mr octopus - mango coronita (mango margarita and corona or sol beer

[myepiklife-blog]

Last day of teaching

Today is the last day I'll be teaching real classes. My school officially closes on the 19th January, but until then - after 3rd period- I'll be showing movies for every class I have. (That is, seeing the first 40 minutes of a movie until the 19th).

19th February is my school's graduation and my contract officially ends on the 25th of February. Between the 19th and 25th I will just have to come into school but not really work. This is what they call deskwarming, you basically sit at your desk and just be there. You can do what you want during that time. It can be boring but at the same time, you're still getting paid to do nothing! Some schools allow you to leave around midday because they, uncommonly, actually think practically and realise it makes no sense that you're there all day sitting on Facebook. However, my school is a little bit strict and majority of the time I'm there for the full day. It's no biggie, though.

16 more days until I depart.

[myepiklife-blog]

Amongst The World's Hardest Drinkers

Not surprising South Korea is number 1. The World's Hardest Drinkers - http://pulse.me/s/N7IT5

[myepiklife-blog]

And so it begins

This week a  good friend leaves Korea to start his new, amazing adventure. As we sat on a step outside a pub in Iksan on Friday night  sharing one last bottle of soju did it hit me that this part of my life was really going to be over soon. 

Majority of the teachers that came at the same time as me, and who I became good friends with, are leaving at the end of February. I'm super excited to see what everyone will get up to post Korea, whether it be more exciting travel or finding a more settled job. 

I'm super glad to know though that no matter where all these people will be, I can always get in touch with them and visit them where-ever they may be in the world.

[myepiklife-blog]

One down, one to go.

[myepiklife-blog]

My last day at my country school- Keumam Elementary. I'm definitely going to miss these kids. I had a goodbye conversation via google translate with my favourite little 2nd grader, who has been my shadow since day one back in 2012. Brought a little tear to my eye. Goodbye 금암초등학교

[myepiklife-blog]

If you don't know, now you know.

So, for all those people asking me what my plans are after I leave Korea, here they are. Got tired of repeating myself haha so this is a rundown of what I'll be doing/where I'll be.

Stop 1: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Stop 2: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Stop 3: Luang Prabang / Nong Khiaw, Laos

Stop 4: (via the Mekong River) Chiang Rai / Chiang Mai / Ayutthaya / Bangkok, Thailand

Stop 5: Yangon / Bagan / Inle Lake, Myanmar (Burma)

Stop 6: Kunming / Dali / Shaxi / Xi'an / Beijing / Shanghai / Suzhou, China

Stop 7: USA

Safe to say I'm pretty excited.

x

[myepiklife-blog]

On the homestretch- 25 days until I leave Korea.

[myepiklife-blog]

$800 vs $12

It still surprises me how cheap medical costs are, here in Korea. The biggest shock was just how inexpensive it was to remove wisdom teeth. In New Zealand, general costs are around $800 and if you're lucky maybe $200 - $400. I guess that was why I was always so hesitant when it came to visiting the dentist.

But after having some pain in my upper jaw, I thought I better just suck it up and head to a dentist here while I still could. I've had a couple of friends who have had their wisdom teeth out, and even though I knew what they paid, I still couldn't believe it when I was told how much my bill would be. 

This is what I had to pay to give you an idea on how cheap it is here:

- initial consultation: 7,000 won ($8NZD)

- wisdom tooth extraction: 11,000 won per tooth I believe ($12.50NZD)

- medication- 3 pills, 3 times a day for 2 days: 1,900 won ($2.20NZD)

So far, I have spent about $23 overall, which is is much, much less than one extracted tooth in NZ.

I will definitely miss paying these prices when I leave here.