My big picutre....... (Eng/Kor)

Posted: 2002/08/08  By: Jocelynn (Views:2985)

I've been reading alot of the posts on this board, having just discovered it the other day.
 Initially I started because I was in a futile rage at having been wrist-slapped again at my
hogwon.  It's hard, sometimes, to work with people who don't speak your language.  After
reading some of the posts though, especially from the "Employer Forum" I feel sheepish and
somewhat ashamed.

First of all, let me say that I really like Korea.  My experiences outside my school have
been amazing, I've met some great people.  And as well, I've met some not-so-great ones, but
that goes for any country I think.  I'm not a Korean posing as a foreigner, that seems to be a
big accusation here.  I'm a 25 year old Canadian chick finishing up her first Korean contract.
 I've always wanted to teach, but I was a little tired of back to back years of school so I
figured I'd come get some experience before applying for my BEd.  I haven't been disapointed.

Very rarely does a reality compare to a dream but teaching has been everything that I could
have hope it was going to be.  I adore my Kindy kids, we laugh alot and have loud, wild times
where I'm happy if they just take a couple of new English things with them out of class. (of
course teaching Kindy became more fun when I took the stick out of my ass and relaxed a
little.....I was so nervous at first that I would tense up and mentally kill myself if a day
went bad...).  My older kids have opened a door for me into understanding the culture more,
they even act as translators sometimes for my directors which is very cute.  All in all, I
can't complain in that respect.

This doesn't mean that I haven't had the problems listed on this site.  Yes, my passport was
taken. Yes, my apartment was violated.  Yes, money has been withheld.  Yes, many foreigners
were fired or ostrasized.  Yes, I felt emotional and frustrated by the lack of trust and
communication. BUT!!!!!!!!!! How about my bosses, the directors?  Yes, THEY felt dis-trust that
I would damage MY apartment because another foreigner had done it to them. Yes, THEY were angry
at me for my loud ways and boisterous manner I mean c'mon, this is a reserved culture, I could
have calmed down a little.  Yes, they were upset that I had caused them to lose face when I
became emotional in a meeting and yelled at the supervisor.  I guess I could go back and forth
like this all day.

The fact is that when I stepped out of my head for a sec and tried to see myself, I found
that for all my complaints, hell, I'm not too damn perfect myself.  I'm still not and although
I won't be re-signing here, I am going to be in Korea next year with a new school and I'm
looking forward to it.  In retrospect I wish I would have know in Sept. 2001 what I know now,
both myself and the directors would have had a better ride.  But I think I'll be a stronger
teacher and a better employee for all the knocks that happened here.

All I'm saying is that, in the big picture, before you slam a school or director, or a
teacher try to put yourself in their shoes.  Try to imagine how it feels to be in a new teacher
in a strange culture (if your a director pulling your hair out at a foreigner) or how it feels
to wonder why everything you do works okay with your Korean staff but your foreign staff always
looks unhappy (if your a teacher un-intentionally antagonizing your director).  And
foreigners........take it from someone who had to learn the hard way......STAY CALM!
 Especially the fellow Canadians out there who are loud, expressive, talk with your hands
etc.....if you keep in mind that something your hearing is probably being mis-understood due to
the launguage or culture clashes and stay calm, you can work it out..........And Directors,
please,PLEASE!!!....try to realize that it's hard to be independant in your own country and
then have trouble doing such little things as finding stores, or asking for directions.  Most
of us don't mean to be emotional assholes, we just take out frustrations out on the wrong
people.

Well, that's my picture....slam me if you will.......but in the long run I think it's going
to be okay here and maybe we'll learn to actually work together, Korean with
Foreigner..........wow! What a concept................eh?  *wink*