Before I started a blog, I wrote a note on Facebook to update everyone:
By popular request, I will begin to write about my experiences in Seoul, Korea. I've talked to most of you already about the things I've been experiencing throughout the last 3 weeks that I've been here, but I want you to see pictures, too. Plus, a friend convinced me of doing this by saying that when I am done with my adventure, I can scrapbook it and show it to future generations. :)
I may turn this into an actual blog at some point but for now, Facebook Notes will be enough. Also, I apologize in advance for any of my entries (errors, not detailed, etc). I can write a 25 page APA paper with my eyes closed but apparently, I cannot seem to be creative in my writing. Sorry!
Alright. So why teach abroad? And what's this about a Bucket List? Like many people, I have a list of things I want to accomplish in my lifetime. I've always had a list in the back of my mind (go to college, go on a cruise, get married, ride on a camel, etc). Well, after I finished grad school (2009), I felt this strange, empty feeling of "what's next?" In undergrad and grad school, we had these completion sheets that are called "Status Sheets." At the end of every semester, I would scratch off the classes I had completed and looked onto the next semester. (I've always been a list-maker). When grad school was done, there were no more status sheets! Don't get me wrong, I am SO excited to be done with school, but that's where the "what's next?" question came to be. I decided to do things I had been wanting to do but couldn't because I was busy with school and work. The summer after graduation, I went to a few new places (like Vegas with my incredible sister) and had a fun 25th birthday (I always knew I wanted a big celebration for my 25th). So all this got me thinking that I needed to make my life "status sheet." I made a list of things that I had already accomplished (and then I scratched them off) and then I continued the list of things that I want to do. So far this year, I have taken guitar lessons, started practicing French again, belly-danced in public, gone to Niagara Falls, and now, I am teaching abroad (this is #85 on my list).
Teaching abroad is something that I have wanted to do for a very long time. It all started with being a student at "El Alba Bilingual School" in Siguatepeque, Honduras (You may now google it). I am originally from Honduras in Central America and just love this beautiful, little country. When my family and I moved to Honduras from the States in the early '90s; my mom wanted my siblings and me to continue getting an education in English while of course, receiving a formal education in Spanish. The answer to this: bilingual international schools.
Bilingual schools and international schools are common around the world. They are private schools and are usually connected with a school from a different country. Basically, a child enters preschool between ages 3 and 4 and receives an education in more than one language from day one (bilingual schools). Think of everything you learned in preschool. Now think of learning all those things in another language at the same time. That is basically how it works except that you do that all through high school. (It's not similar to taking a foreign language in high school like in most schools in the States). The school day tends to be longer at bilingual schools because you are taking most subjects twice in a day. Also, you can only transfer into a bilingual school if your previous school was bilingual, as well so that you're not behind (makes sense!). So basically, by the time you are done with high school, you are fluent in more than one language! (El Alba was strictly an English/Spanish school but there are various trilingual schools in the capital of Honduras {and throughout the world, of course}. This is where my children will attend so they can speak English, Spanish and French) ;)I completely loved going to school at El Alba. My sister Nidia and I had a blast and made lifelong friendships there. So what does this have to do with teaching abroad? Most of our English-classes instructors were from an English-speaking country. Within my 5 years at El Alba, I met teachers from the US, Canada and England. These teachers would fall in love with Honduras and the culture. During school breaks, they would travel throughout the country and even neighboring countries. Many times, they would cry at the end of their contracts because they didn't want to leave! These were teachers that were not only teaching, but also becoming more culturally aware and seeing the world! I knew I wanted to do that someday. :)
I started looking into teaching abroad after college, but I had the great opportunity of working for LU and getting free grad tuition while doing so, that I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Now I'm done with school and have 2 years of teaching experience. Everyone kept saying: "Now's the time. You're not married. You don't have kids. Do it." I researched different areas to teach such as Thailand, Japan, United Arab Emirates and Latin America. I knew I wanted to try a completely different culture so I decided on somewhere in Asia. Meg's friend, Kayla, taught in Korea for 2 years and I followed her blog while she was here and I also had numerous conversations with her about her experience. I decided to do and now here I am! I'm not quite sure how long I'll be here but for now, I'm enjoying it!
I still can't believe I'm in Asia! It's so neat here!
Thanks to everyone for praying for me and this new adventure. And thanks to my family and boyfriend for being so supportive! I love you all and miss everyone!
So, what's on your Bucket List?
I'm in ASIA!
The architecture here is beautiful.
No comments:
Post a Comment