How did I get to this point?
Ever since I graduated from college in 2004 I've had a longing to get away and start a new life. I haven't always had a desire to go overseas, just a longing to move far away to get away from my normal hectic life. So over the past 4 years I've never acted on my desire so I've been stuck here in a rut.
How did I choose South Korea? No reason in particular to be honest. In March I was just surfing the web and I saw an ad that said "Teach English in South Korea". I thought "wow that sounds neat". I was not satisfied at my current job (Hertz) and was having trouble finding other employment.I looked into it briefly and quickly gave up because of the cost of a plane ticket which could be at least $1,000 and I was skeptical. I thought "is this a real opportunity?". I never even tried to apply for a job. I just gave up.
I rememeber writing an email to my close friend Brad (March 28,2008). Here's an excerpt:
I want to apply to be an ESL teacher in Korea. If I dont find a good job soon I might seriously consider that. It would be nice to live in another country. Then once I have experience I could be an ESL teacher in another country.
He replies:
Follow this desire to leave America. Do not let fear and doubt stop you. Keep serving Valerie with all you can and as it seams the Lord keeps putting it on your heart to leave America even 2 years ago you were talking about it.
In September I met a new friend at a mutual friend's birthday party. I later found out that he was going to teach English in South Korea. I emailed him back and forth since he was in the process of applying and knew how the process worked. He's actually in South Korea right now.
So I thought--wow this must be legit because I actually know someone who is going through the process. I'm very skeptical about things unless I know someone who is actually going through it.
Then I decided to give it a try. A spontaneous decision that could change my life forever. I'm very unhappy in my current situation and I need a change..NOW!
So I signed up with a recruiter and the process began....
3 comments:
Annyeong-haseyo!
Well... I just found out your blog... and I think I'm really fortunate.
You know? I've been dreaming with live in South Korea, I was lookin' for korean lessons online at least, just to have an idea of how the idiom is.
Then... I found you.
I'm very glad! I didn't read anything yet, I decided to start from the beginning.
I know this is "old", and I can imagine you're in United States back now...
But, I think I'm gonna know a lot from this! So... Thank You!
I'm not from USA; I'm a mexican, 17 years old girl... And I wanna do what you did.
You know? Go away, meet other countries (Specially South Korea), I wanna be a singer... and I TOTALLY LOVE korean pop, and you know... another teen girl's dream. So... I'm gonna start right know. I really want to know more and more about South Korea at this moment, even through your own words. Thank you for doing this... and FIGHTING!
~Lily Olivares
PD: Sorry if my english isn't good. It's all learned by myself so... it's not good enough! Sorry!
Annyeong-haseyo!
Well... I just found out your blog... and I think I'm really fortunate.
You know? I've been dreaming with live in South Korea, I was lookin' for korean lessons online at least, just to have an idea of how the idiom is.
Then... I found you.
I'm very glad! I didn't read anything yet, I decided to start from the beginning.
I know this is "old", and I can imagine you're in United States back now...
But, I think I'm gonna know a lot from this! So... Thank You!
I'm not from USA; I'm a mexican, 17 years old girl... And I wanna do what you did.
You know? Go away, meet other countries (Specially South Korea), I wanna be a singer... and I TOTALLY LOVE korean pop, and you know... another teen girl's dream. So... I'm gonna start right know. I really want to know more and more about South Korea at this moment, even through your own words. Thank you for doing this... and FIGHTING!
~Lily Olivares
PD: Sorry if my english isn't good. It's all learned by myself so... it's not good enough! Sorry!
awesome!!
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