Charming nieces

Am I happy living and working in Korea? Of course. That said, here (above) are two reasons I'm more than a little sad I'm not home in the States.

Sa Dae Bu Go High School Class 12

I'm the first to admit to favoritism and this class of girls is the recipient of whatever benevolence I can muster twice a week. They're usually lively, attentive, well-behaved, and, as the last high school class I teach each Friday, a perfect way to end the week.

Sa Dae Bu Go High School Class 16

It occurred to me these class pictures might be a little better with the teacher in them. Ooh, smart me. Here's the latest shot of one of my five different classes at the high school. Of the five, three are boys and two are girls. Which do you think I enjoy teaching the most?

An outing to Hongchon

Myself, the director and his family and two other English teachers at the hagwon, Gregg and Sarah, taken May 18, after a long ride up the mountain in a small tram at a nearby ski resort, Hongchon.

A language or a cultural problem

I'll admit upfront it's a little unfair to characterize the growing problem at the academy as a language problem. That gives the impression there is a difficult situation arising out of the differences in the native languages spoken by the English and Korean teachers. It would be more accurate to say the rift, which appears to be stagnant if not growing, is a symptom of the cultural differences between the two groups of teachers.

Since I returned from the States a mere 3 weeks ago, there is a difference in the air at our charming little language academy. The Korean teachers have their clique and the foreign teachers have their clique and "never the twain shall meet." I would argue that I have made attempts to reach out and I imagine some of the Korean teachers would argue likewise but beyond polite salutations, there is little in the way of meaningful interaction.

One might ask, "Why do you care?" and I would proceed to call that person foul names. After I had dispensed with such a foolish person, I might realize he may have had a valid point. I care because I'm tired of reaching out only to never receive reciprocal gestures. I'm tired of being nice and patient with the Koreans' moderatly good English. I'm tired of feeling like a minority (ooh, that's rich with potential material to analyze).

Mostly I think I've grown tired of the living overseas experience and I'm worried I'm going to stay tired unless I can deal with the problem and move beyond it. I still enjoy teaching and I can still see myself doing this long term but for the short term, I've suddenly grown weary of working at this particular academy in this particular country.

Toothless, bug-eyed boy

My kindergarten portrait I believe, taken too many years ago. Specifically, that would make it 1974 or 1975. I know the flag is the common backdrop for these kinds of pictures but it also echoes the patriotic memories of my elementary school days. Good times.

Sa Dae Bu Go High School Class 11

Pretty girls!

Sa Dae Bu Go High School Class 17

Crazy boys!