Career Archives

Category: Career

06 Sep

Top 5 Reasons I Love Working At Chungdahm Institute

#5: The Compensation

While interviewing for teaching jobs in Korea, I found that Chungdahm Institute offered the most competitive compensation. They also provide airfare reimbursement and a housing stipend. This financial support helped make the transition smoother and allowed me to start paying off my student loans. I was even able to enjoy traveling across South East Asia during my time off! This is something I had never been able to afford while living in Canada.

#4: The Support

From the hiring process to teaching in the classroom, Chungdahm Institute has provided great support. The training week was key to help me get started. The standardized curriculum also made the adjustment smooth, and pretty easy to adjust to. I even received lots of support from the Korean administrators for things like immigration appointments, banking, and finding my apartment. Over the past few years, the Company has remained a safe and supportive workplace for me. I’ve been able to focus solely on teaching without a lot of the administrative burdens.

#3: The Coworkers

I’ve gotten to meet amazing people from around the world, and form lifelong friendships. Working alongside such diverse and talented people has definitely been one of the most rewarding aspects of working at Chungdahm Institute. Whether it’s collaborating on lesson plans, enjoying holidays together, or simply sharing a beer after class, the camaraderie among coworkers has been amazing. Now I have friends from all different countries which has made my travel opportunities that much sweeter!

#2: Career Opportunities

One thing I did not expect when I started my journey was the upward mobility and career opportunities. I’ve been promoted to leadership roles like a team manager and was able to become a certified teacher trainer as well. In my personal experience, the sky is truly the limit while working for Chungdahm Institute. Their focus on professional development makes it an especially great place for those looking to build a long-term career in education.

#1: The Kids!

At the end of the day, it’s the students who make every day worth it. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and growth reminds me daily why I chose to be a teacher at Chungdahm Institute. Watching my kids develop, not just academically, but as individuals has brought me so much joy. Their energy keeps me motivated to continually improve as a teacher and is hands down the best part of being a Chungdahm teacher!

English teacher, Michelle Duquette at Chungdahm Learning

Michelle Duquette, Marketing Assistant

Michelle Duquette is from Toronto, Canada and moved to South Korea in 2015. She has a Bachelors in English literature and a Masters in ESL Education. Michelle has taught at Creverse campuses in Gangneung, Songpa, and Mokdong and currently works as a CDI and April Trainer. Michelle never set out to be a teacher but fell in love with Korean culture and the excitement of being in the classroom. Michelle lives in Seoul with her partner and two cats, Cherry and Frost.

08 Aug

CareerDevelopmentBy aclipse

Career Paths After Teaching In Korea

Life After Teaching

One of the most exciting parts of working abroad as an ESL teacher is that the career possibilities feel endless. While some have a life-long passion for teaching, others might be curious about how to take their teaching experience and turn it into something new. Here are some of the top career paths that are perfect to branch off from ESL teaching.

Educational Consultant

An educational consultant works with schools and students to streamline their educational goals. This career is an easy way to stay within the educational space without necessarily focusing on ESL or the day-to-day realities of teaching. This is a perfect career for anyone passionate about curriculum, student advocacy, and big picture thinking.

Study Abroad Coordinator

Study abroad coordinators help students interested in continuing their education abroad. This involves everything from student outreach to supporting students at home and in their host country. My study abroad coordinator in college got to split his time between my college town and England. Sounds pretty chic to me! If you love life abroad but are ready to spend more time back in your home country, this is a great next career move.

Interpreter

Living in a foreign country is a great opportunity to learn a second language! If you’re able to fine-tune this skill, an interpreter might be your next career move. Interpreters work in various industries from business to tourism and entertainment! Regardless of if you choose to pursue a career as an interpreter or not, any level of language skills is impressive on a resume!

Immigration Advocacy

Immigrant advocates support immigrants as they get settled in their new country. This advocacy can function in a myriad of ways: legal services, social services, translating services, etc. Anecdotally, I can tell you it’s really difficult to live abroad and not experience a higher level of empathy for immigrants globally. Advocating for immigrants back in your home country might be the perfect way to marry your past work experience with all that you’ve learned while living abroad!

Small Business Owner

When I obtained my TEFL certification, one of my instructors was a small business owner. She took her passion for ESL education and her entrepreneurial spirit and started her own business teaching ESL. If you love teaching and want to be your own boss, this might be the right fit for you! If it’s not ESL, it might be education consulting, writing & editing services, or tourism marketing.

Curriculum Developer

Maybe you’ve realized you have a passion for education but have no interest in spending all day with kids. A great next step is to become a curriculum developer. In this job, curriculum developers take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to create instructional materials for teachers. This job is perfect for people who are creative, strategic, and no longer want to be teaching day-in and day-out!

One thing life in Korea has taught me is that anything is possible if you’re willing to work hard for it!

English teacher standing in front of a mountain and Han River in South Korea

Diana Richtman, Marketing Assistant

Diana Richtman is a writer and ESL teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from Savannah, Georgia in the United States, Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in English & Women’s Studies. After receiving her TEFL certification, Diana moved to South Korea where she works at one of Creverse’s April Institutes. When Diana isn’t working, she loves exploring Korea, drinking warm cups of tea, and scaring away her friends with her karaoke performances.

21 Jul

CareerRelocationBy aclipse

Teaching English With Aclipse: Hiring Process

The Dreaded Job Hunt

The job market is a grueling place. I had been job hunting for 3 months until one day, I found a job posting on Indeed about teaching English in Korea. The company was called “Aclipse” and I was immediately intrigued by the post. While teaching was one of my original career goals in high school and college, I began to give up on that dream once I joined the workforce. Stability in corporate America started to sound much more appealing than uprooting my life to South Korea to teach English.

I applied anyway even though I had some hesitations. Within a couple of days, I received an email to schedule an interview with an Aclipse recruiter. The email detailed how to schedule the call and some of the benefits that Aclipse provides to teach English in Korea. As I mentioned before, I had been job searching for quite some time. Coming off of month-long waiting periods with no responses from other companies, I was pleasantly surprised by the swift response that Aclipse provided.

Interview & Mock Lesson

When the day came for my interview, I was nervous and excited at the same time. I had no idea what to expect. Once I entered the call and introduced myself, Nico (my recruiter) created a super welcoming and judgment-free space. I felt comfortable to ask any questions I had about teaching English, and felt relaxed during the interview.

Aside from being a place for you to ask questions, the interview is also a place where the Aclipse recruiter can see if this role will be a great fit for you. Nico did this by conducting a mock English lesson. Although I had previous experience working with non-English speakers in university, I was still nervous to act out a scenario on-the-spot. The scene was set, I was given time to collect my thoughts, and we began our English teaching lesson scenario.

Doing the mock lesson was a little awkward at first, but went super well! It gave me a sense of how lesson structures are formulated, and it gave the recruiter a sense of how I would be as an instructor. Once we were done with the mock lesson, Nico gave me the green light that I had passed the interview!

Shortly after my screening call, I received an email regarding the next steps for the hiring process to begin teaching English in Korea.

These steps included: creating an introduction video, filling out important documents, requesting a school placement, and filing instructions for receiving a visa.
- These important documents included: FBI fingerprint background checks, signed health statement forms, and scanned files of legal documents.

This process seemed a bit daunting at first, but Nico helped me every step of the way. By sending me tutorials and examples of each required piece, I was able to complete all of these requirements by the end of that week.

I received my school placement, employment contract, and saw the Embassy of South Korea all within a month of completing the steps listed above. This all happened in the blink of an eye!

There are many small details that can be overlooked throughout this process. My best piece of advice would be to NOT procrastinate on submitting what is required and consistently messaging your recruiter with updates, even if they seem small.

I have officially signed my contract and am set to move in August 2024 to begin teaching English. Aclipse has helped me every step of the way and turned an extensive process into a smooth operation.

Gabe White, English Teacher at Creverse

Gabriel (Gabe) White is a soon to be English teacher in South Korea. He is a Korean, Puerto Rican-American from the Richmond, Virginia area and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University. Being involved in student organizations like Filipino Americans Coming Together at VCU (FACT@VCU) and VCU Globe during his college years, Gabe learned just how much he enjoys experiencing new cultures. In his free time, Gabe loves teaching local dance classes, spending quality time with his loved ones, exploring new cities, and watching nostalgic movies.

21 Jun

CareerTeachingBy aclipse

Top 5 Reasons To Teach At April Institute

What Is April English?

April Institute’s program philosophy is based on creativity and art. It helps students use active imagination, artistic sensibility and expression to study creative thinking and problem solving. The program helps students develop cross-curricular knowledge based on a variety of topics preselected from textbooks used in Korean, American, Japanese and Chinese school curriculums. That’s the official description. Here’s the top 5 reasons why I’m so happy to be working at an April Institute branch.

1. Working Hours

As a certified night owl, I love that my work hours at April Institute are from around noon to 8 p.m. It lets me stay up as late as I want and still get a good night’s rest. Plus, when I need to run errands, I have plenty of time before work to get things done. I can go to the bank, buy groceries, and get brunch with friends all before clocking in to work! I also am never commuting to and from work during peak rush hours, which means less people on the buses and subway. Finally, while my work hours are from noon to 8 p.m., I only end up teaching less than 5 hours a day!

2. The Curriculum

All curriculum and lesson plans are the same across April Institute locations, which means I can focus on classroom management, grading, and having fun with my students over the course of my work day. While I’m completely happy with my current branch and Seoul, it also means in theory if I wanted to move to another city in Korea, the learning curve at another branch wouldn’t be very steep! As a first time teacher, the knowledge that I wouldn’t have to extensively lesson plan was a huge comfort when I made the decision to move abroad.

3. Student Age Range

The age range of my students at April Institute is from around six to 11 years old, and they are overwhelmingly smart, funny, and kind. Of course, like with any job, there are challenges, but I can sincerely say that I love getting to spend my days talking with these kids. They make me laugh every single day. The fact that I get to help these kids create a foundation for success is really special to me.

4. Co-Teacher System

At April Institute, every class you’ll teach has a Korean co-teacher. For me, this means I teach the first half of the class, then my Korean co-teacher teaches the second half. Here are a few of the advantages to this method of schooling: First, my co-teachers have been incredibly helpful when it comes to navigating the nuances of living and teaching in a new culture. Second, we share the responsibility of teaching! Especially as a first time teacher, the knowledge that I have a fellow teacher helping me guide these students has been so comforting. Third, built in friends! One of my dearest friends here in Korea was originally my co-teacher. I’ve asked her for all kinds of advice, attended her wedding, and gone on day trips from Seoul with her when we’re not teaching!

5. The Community

From my fellow expat coworkers to my Korean co-teachers and students, April Institute is my community here in Korea. I’m so grateful for a workplace that feels like a home away from home.

Diana Richtman is a writer and ESL teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from Savannah, Georgia in the United States, Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in English & Women’s Studies. After receiving her TEFL certification, Diana moved to South Korea where she works at one of Creverse’s April Institutes. When Diana isn’t working, she loves exploring Korea, drinking warm cups of tea, and scaring away her friends with her karaoke performances.

22 Apr

CareerTeachingBy aclipse

Should I Get A TEFL Certificate To Teach In Korea?

Teaching In Korea

As you begin exploring opportunities to teach in a South Korea, you may have come across the term TEFL in all of your research. In this post, we will discuss what a TEFL certificate is, the benefits of getting a TEFL certificate and whether it is necessary to have one to teach English in South Korea!

What is a TEFL Certificate?

TEFL, which stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, is a certificate that will provide you with the tools to become a successful English teacher! During the course, you’ll explore topics such as:

Supporting English language learners
Creating dynamic lesson plans
Managing classroom interactions
Evaluating language abilities
Enhancing teaching methods

What are the Benefits of Having a TEFL Certificate?

If you are thinking about teaching in South Korea, getting a TEFL certificate is a great idea!

It provides you with the skills and knowledge to help your students with their language acquisition. You will walk away from the course feeling more confident in your abilities as a teacher and you will be inspired to test out your newly learned skills in real-time!

Additionally, earning a TEFL certificate helps your resume stand out in a sea of applications! It shows your dedication to professional growth which is something that employers in South Korea greatly appreciate. Regardless of whether you’re a new graduate or an experienced teacher looking for new opportunities, it can be extremely valuable and will help set you up for success!

How Much Does a TEFL Certificate Cost?

The price of getting a TEFL certificate can differ significantly based on various factors: such as the length of the course, the accreditation of the course and if the certificate is online or in person.

In general, you can anticipate spending anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars on a TEFL certificate program. Online courses are usually more cost-effective, while in-person courses may have higher fees due to extra expenses like facilities rentals and classroom materials. Keep an eye out for discounted certificates on platforms such as Groupon, etc – just make sure that they are from a trustworthy organization!!

Do I Need a TEFL To Teach in South Korea?

A TEFL certificate is not a requirement to teach in South Korea! Although, it is highly recommended and will help you feel better prepared before you make the move to teach abroad.

Our Top Pick: The TEFL Academy

There are a lot of different TEFL certifications available, but we highly suggest The TEFL Academy. Known for its in depth courses and internationally recognized certification, The TEFL Academy effectively prepares teachers for success in their classroom!

In summary, obtaining a TEFL is great for advancing your teaching career and it is a useful tool for preparing yourself to teach English language learners! With a TEFL certificate, you are not just getting a qualification… you are opening up opportunities to explore new cultures, experiences and career paths!

Bethany Coquelle, growing up and living in both the east and west coasts of Canada, serves as an Overseas Recruiter specializing in South Korea placements since 2017! With a multicultural family and a passion for cultural exchange, she understands the transformative power of connecting people from diverse backgrounds. Inspired by the impact teachers can have on students’ lives, Bethany is dedicated to linking educators with their ideal positions abroad. Whether guiding through the intricacies of teaching in South Korea or providing a compassionate ear, she is committed to supporting your educational journey.

06 Mar

CareerRelocationTeachingBy aclipse

Types Of English Teaching Jobs In Korea

English Education In South Korea

Considering how largely education is valued in South Korea, it comes with no surprise that it’s become a central hub for many current and aspiring educators. There are many different types of English teaching jobs in Korea. Below are a few pros and cons to consider when thinking about teaching in the peninsula.

Public Schools

Pro:

The English Program in Korea (also known as EPIK) is the best way to get your foot into Korea’s public school system. EPIK offers some flexibility regarding curriculum and teaching methods, as they typically cater to bigger class sizes.

Con:

There’s some limitations regarding location preferences—one could end up in a very rural area. It’s common for one instructor to be assigned to each school so there will likely not be any foreign colleagues. Also, the pay may be less competitive—as pay caps within the public school system are precisely set.

Private Academies (Hagwons)

Pro:

For those preferring a more lucrative salary, hagwons or private academies might be the better route—as private academies tend to have more structured curriculums that allow educators to engage closely with students or on a more individualized level. The plus side of working in the afternoons frees up time in the morning for personal activities.

Con:

As hagwons are prominent nationwide, different reputations may vary—especially within the small, privately owned academies.

International Schools

Pro:

International schools cater to a diverse student body including both local and expatriate learners. There might be some reassurance with the familiarities of teaching a Western curriculum.

Con:

Since they follow international curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), international schools only hire certified teachers.

Universities

Pro:

For those with a masters or a doctorate, teaching positions at universities might be an option. These roles often involve conducting specific research topics alongside teaching responsibilities. It is a combination of contributing to the academic community while enjoying a higher level of autonomy in the classroom.

Con:

University positions tend to be extremely competitive—many require, at the very least, a master’s degree in a specialized field.

South Korea’s vibrant education landscape offers a multitude of teaching positions to suit various preferences and skill sets. Whether you’re drawn to the flexibility of public schools, the structure of hagwons, the global environment of international schools, or the academic rigor of universities, there’s a teaching role in South Korea waiting to be embraced. If you want help navigating the different types of teaching jobs in Korea, apply to Aclipse now!

Joe Achacoso first embarked on his ESL journey in 2010 to satiate his longing desire for travel. An opportunity intended to be a 1-year contract turned into a 10-year tenure—as an English teacher, faculty manager, instructor trainer and curriculum developer. His adventures in global education continued with a master’s, and it came full circle when he joined Aclipse’s recruiting team—hoping to help the like-minded achieve the same transformative experience!

11 Feb

CareerRelocationTeachingBy aclipse

My First Two Weeks Teaching English In Korea

Teaching English In Korea

Leading up to my big move across the world, I was beyond nervous. I had a lot of doubts, fears, and uncertainty. As someone who loves adventure while simultaneously struggles with facing the unknown, I felt like I was about to leap into a big, dark pit. Let me tell you about my first two weeks teaching English in Korea.

Landing In Busan, South Korea

As soon as I landed in Busan, South Korea, some of my fears started to melt away one by one. I’m extremely thankful for Aclipse and staff at my branch who helped me make this move more seamless. A couple of foreign teachers from my branch met me at the Busan airport and took me to my new apartment. They helped me get settled and eased some of my anxiety.

Having lived in Busan for a month earlier in the year, I was somewhat familiar with life in Korea, but having just made such a big move, it was very comforting having such kind people welcome me with open arms. The Korean staff at my branch were also a huge help, and took me to apply for my Alien Registration Card and get my required health check. They’re such kind people that really care about the wellbeing of their teachers.

Training Week

I arrived in Busan on a Saturday, so I had that Sunday to settle in before I had to begin training week. Luckily, I was able to complete training online from the comfort of my apartment, which allowed me to continue to get settled. Training week was quite intense, as we had to retain a lot of information in such a short time. However, the other trainees in my group were all so nice, and we all benefited a lot from our group study sessions together. Although challenging, I do feel like training week definitely helped me get familiar with the methodology of how to teach April classes.

Getting Out And About

My first full weekend in Busan after training week allowed me to explore a bit more of my area. I’m a big nature lover, so scoping out some peaceful places to recharge was a priority for me. Busan’s winters are fairly mild, so despite arriving in mid November, I’ve been able to get outside some on the weekends. I love spending time at beaches here, and exploring the nearby parks like Busan Citizens Park.

Officially Teaching In The Classroom

I began teaching at the start of my second week in South Korea. I was definitely nervous at first, as that was my first time teaching English as a foreign language. I really cared about doing a good job, and with the combination of meeting all my students, remembering the methodology of the lessons, and managing the behavior in the classroom, I felt a bit overwhelmed. Luckily, I have a very kind headteacher who really helped make sure I was on the right track, keeping up with the admin work, and answered all my questions.

After a full week of teaching, I definitely started to understand the structure and flow of my lessons more. My students started getting more comfortable with me as well! I have 90 students a week, and by my second week of teaching, I surprised myself by learning a good majority of their names!

A Wonderful Journey

Looking back on my first two weeks teaching English in Korea, I feel quite proud of my ability to deal with change and roll with the punches. I’ve been living here for almost 3 months now, and while I still face challenges, things continue to get more familiar and comfortable. I’ve joined a language exchange program that has led to many great friendships. I’ve eaten lots of great food, spent time in beautiful cafes, and seen only a small fraction of the beauty Korea has to offer!

Taking on such a big life change always comes with its fair share of ups and downs. Remembering to find small joys every day and finding home in myself has been extremely important to my journey so far. I’m excited to see how I continue to grow this year and grateful I have this opportunity of a lifetime!

Springtime in Korea is full of vibrant experiences for you to enjoy while teaching and living in Korea. I encourage you to embrace the beauty of the season and create unforgettable memories that will last you a lifetime! (Below is a great VLOG done by an April English teacher at Creverse! It’s not me, but hope it helps you get a better feel for what’s to come! )

18 Dec

CareerDevelopmentRelocationTeachingBy aclipse

What It Takes To Teach English In Korea

Teaching English In Korea

Teaching English in Korea is personally and professionally rewarding. If you are considering applying for a position you’ll need to demonstrate you have what it takes to be a successful ESL teacher. Here are some characteristics and qualifications that are sought after and can help you succeed as an English teacher with Creverse Inc.

English Language Proficiency

Clear communication and superior English skills are vital for teaching. You must be able to explain concepts in a way that is easily understood and caters to the language ability of your students. Being comfortable and confident in your role as a language model is also necessary to earn the students’ trust and respect.

Enthusiastic & Passionate

Students learn best and succeed when their teachers are passionate and enthusiastic. A positive and energetic demeanor helps to motivate and inspire students. Effective teachers are friendly, yet firm; connect well with students, cater to their needs and interests making lessons relevant, relatable and fun.

Professional

Teachers need to be punctual, responsible, and committed to providing high level instruction. Demonstrating a strong work ethic is important in any professional setting. Teachers should be open to accepting and implementing constructive feedback and strive to be the best teacher possible.

Team Player

Teachers work in collaboration with each other and Korean staff. Being supportive and contributing positively to the workplace is highly valued. Your colleagues are your initial support group and social network…and will be excited to show you the ropes. Establishing a positive rapport from your arrival goes a long way in making the experience mutually beneficial.

Adaptable & Culturally Sensitive

Adapting to new environments, teaching methods, and cultural norms is essential. Understanding and respecting Korean culture is integral to adjusting well. Being open-minded and flexible will help you integrate into the local community and work effectively with students and colleagues. It’s important to consider strategies that will help you to have a positive year living and teaching in Korea.

Teaching Certification/Experience:

While not required, a CELTA certification will earn you a higher salary. Completing a TEFL or TESOL course may help you feel more prepared and confident in the English teacher role. While formal teaching experience is also not required, those with full-time classroom experience will benefit with a higher salary offer.

Visa Requirements

Ensure that you meet the requirements to work in Korea. This includes obtaining the necessary documents for a visa and fulfilling immigration requirements. To be eligible you must have at least the following:

Bachelor’s degree – any major, however, English and Education majors are highly valued.
Background check – with no charges, dismissed or otherwise

Have you got what it takes? Take the next step and submit your resume to find out!!

Colette Neville hailing from Ontario, Canada embarked upon the adventure of a lifetime and taught English in Japan for 5 years after graduating with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a Bachelor’s in Education! While overseas she honed her teaching skills, advanced professionally to trainer, area manager, curriculum specialist and enjoyed the many riches of Japanese culture. Her love of travel led her to explore many of Japan’s neighbouring countries, including South Korea! Upon return to Canada, she landed a job with Aclipse recruiting and now enjoys sharing her experiences and guiding candidates through the steps to secure the perfect overseas placement! Upon reflection, she believes her experience teaching abroad was a very meaningful and life changing event….and is certain it will be for others too!

20 Jun

CareerRelocationTeachingBy aclipse

From Tanzania to Korea: My Experience as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer

My Experience as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer

Before getting caught up in the daily grind of the working world, I decided it was the perfect time to become a Peace Corps volunteer. After graduating university with a degree in engineering, I was placed in Tanzania as a Math and Physics teacher. I loved teaching more than I ever thought I would. I felt such a strong connection with the students, and extended an extra year and a half to see my first students graduate from high school.

At the end of my service, I decided it was time to learn a new language and experience another new country. I packed up and moved to Korea. Fast forward a few years, and I found out about CREVERSE.

It was much easier being in the country and knowing the language. In addition, the recruiter and staff at the branch I worked with were very supportive with the housing and visa process. I feel like there was much less hand-holding than when I applied to the Peace Corps. That being said, it was also a much simpler process to apply for CREVERSE.

The Curriculum

I’ve been very impressed with the materials we use in the classroom, and they are continuously making improvements and updates. This is the first time I’ve used a smart textbook. The students and teacher all use electronic tablets to more personally experience classes and interact with each other and the material. It feels like a great way to escape the rote learning that seems to pervade so many facets of education. There is a set curriculum for each module, so the teacher’s task is made easy. Steps and guidelines are all set out.

The Students

Obviously, the best part of teaching is the students. CREVERSE is no exception. Of course, just like any job or position anywhere, there will be not-so-good days where things don’t go the way you hoped or expected. But coming to work every day and seeing the smiles and hearing the greetings of students who are genuinely happy to see you is one of the best feelings in the world.

The Life

If you’ve discovered a love for teaching as a Peace Corps volunteer and are looking for a change of pace in a new country, Korea is an amazing place. There are countless opportunities to get out and explore this beautiful and historic country. CREVERSE’s teaching hours make it easy to get out before or after work. Try taking Korean lessons, join a dance class, or adventure on your own. Weekends are great for bus trips around the country or hiking trips up the many mountains. Many of the mountains are right in the middle of cities. Or, spend some down time picnicking by the Han River. The possibilities are endless!

Nick Allen Taylor is an RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) who spent 3.5 years in Tanzania. He has a BS in
Mechanical Engineering and a BA in International Relations from Oregon State University. He has lived in Korea for over 7 years, 3 of which he’s spent as an English Instructor at CREVERSE.

13 Jan

CareerLifestyleBy aclipse

Life After Korea

Goodbye Korea

When I was living abroad I wasn’t sure what life would be like when I finished my contract and moved home. The plan was to live in South Korea for a year, but I ended up extending my contract and living in Busan for almost two years. I knew there would be some reverse culture shock when I moved home but was really surprised by what life after Korea was like.

My boyfriend, Colin, and I packed up our apartment in Busan, had a goodbye party with all our friends, said some tearful goodbyes, and boarded the plane to leave Korea. It didn’t really dawn on me until the plane was in the air that I wouldn’t see those friends or live in Korea again for a long time, if ever. Although I was very sad to say goodbye to friends and to a city I absolutely loved living in. I was very excited to go home and see friends and family I hadn’t seen in almost 2 years!

Aloha

Before returning home, Colin and I stopped in Hawaii for a week to relax and enjoy having some time off work. Honestly, taking a vacation in Hawaii was one of the best decisions we made! Although it was expensive, it was worth it and definitely helped with the reverse culture shock. It was nice to be in an English speaking country again, but still be on vacation. We got to go to restaurants, grocery stores, bars, gas stations, etc. and enjoy the simple pleasure of talking to people in English 24-7! We did feel a little overwhelmed hearing everyone else’s conversation (it was sort of nice not knowing what other people were saying in Korea sometimes). Not to mention we got to enjoy all the gorgeous sights and beautiful beaches that Hawaii has to offer.

REVERSE Culture Shock

Once we returned home reverse culture shock hit with full swing. Shortly after we got off the plane in St. Louis, I started having wheezing and a tight feeling in my chest – something that has never happened to me before. I had to go to urgent care and was abruptly reintroduced to American healthcare and how expensive it is – Korean healthcare was fast and extremely cheap (with or without insurance). Luckily it wasn’t serious. It turns out my body just was shocked from all the allergens that I was suddenly being exposed to!

It was great to see family and friends that I hadn’t seen in a long time, but also overwhelming trying to find time to see everyone. I felt a little guilty trying to juggle time with family and friends, and was very glad we’d been on vacation- because it really helped with the jet lag. Honestly if I could do it over again I’d say ask a friend or family member to host a “welcome-back” party for you when you return. That way you can see everyone at once, and won’t feel guilty if you need a few days to rest/recharge later on.

(See below – a friend from Cinncinati drove down to see me after we got home!)

Home Sweet Home

Some of the great things about life after Korea are that I realized how easy and convenient it was to do so many things in America. Signing up for a phone plan was pain free, and going car shopping wasn’t bad either. I’m big into rewards programs and coupons, and never really got to take advantage of that in Korea since I didn’t learn much Korean! I also really enjoy going to the gym, and gyms are much cheaper in the US.

(See below – a Friendsgiving party with some friends we hadn’t seen in a long time!)

Missing the Kids

One challenging part about life after Korea was the education culture in America, in Korea it’s very rigorous from an early age. Going from teaching Kindergarten in Korea to teaching Pre-School in America was a hard transition for me. Education culture for kids below 5 years old is much more laid back in America and focused on play and social skills. This was so different than what I experienced in Korea. I had a hard time adjusting at first but now I believe there is a happy medium between the two educational cultures. Kids should be able to play and have fun, but structure and high expectations aren’t a bad thing!

Speaking of education, some of my old students from Korea wrote me really wonderful letters which I’m incredibly thankful for. It’s nice to hear from them and know that they are doing well, and I’m definitely excited to write back!

(See below – an adorable letter from one of my past students.)

Life After Korea

Moving abroad has changed my perspective on a lot of things. I now have a tremendous amount of respect for immigrants and refugees because it isn’t easy to move to another country, especially when you can’t speak the language or have no family to help you. I’m passionate about helping those that are less fortunate, and can understand a small part of the struggle that immigrants face.

Moving abroad opened up many opportunities for me. I was able to save money, pay off all of my debt, and travel to four different countries! I am so thankful for all the amazing memories I have. Transitioning to life after Korea wasn’t easy, but now that I’m settled I’m very happy and love that I have so many stories to share with friends and family. I also can’t wait until I can see my friends from South Korea again!

Monica Russo graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors in Psychology and is from St. Louis, Missouri. After spending a couple years in social work she decided to move abroad to learn more about other cultures and to challenge herself to live outside her comfort zone. Monica lived in Busan, South Korea for a year and a half and loved her time there. She loves new experiences, hiking, exploring other cities and helping others any way that she can. Her philosophy is work hard, play hard!

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