Moving to a new country

It finally began....Keith and I traveling the world! This has been something that I've dreamed of for many years, and Keith and I had talked about ever since the first time we met, 2 years ago. And finally, after 5 months of researching countries and esl teaching positions, going through interviews, packing, and preparing physically, mentally and socially to take this new step in life...we are here and we have begun this new journey!

When we first arrived to South Korea, we really did not know what to expect. We wanted to expect the worst so as not to be disappointed. However, we have had so much luck and good fortune with our moving process.

We had a 10 day orientation in Jeonju, South Korea at the Jeonju University. It was a great experience because the 10 days were packed with useful information for teaching ESL, for learning about Korea, its culture and language, for meeting numerous EPIK teachers from all over (there were about 700 EPIK teachers at the orientation from about 7 different English speaking countries), and for seeing a lil sneak preview of the Korean life. We had an opening and closing ceremony, which included Korean and previous EPIK teachers who gave speeches, followed by traditional Korean performances, and then a huge Korean feast! There were classes throughout the day, Korean language classes at night, a field trip to several temples and a Korean Village, Korean movie nights, nights out in the city with new EPIK and Korean friends, etc....all in 10 days.

After receiving our EPIK orientation completion certificates, we were sent off on buses to the airport, with the 30 or so EPIK teachers who were lucky enough to be placed on Jeju Island. We were all so excited on that flight and just ready to arrive to our home, known as the "Hawaii of Korea".