EPIK Orientation

Well I made it to South Korea in one piece! After some issues with my luggage in Chicago (each of my bags did end up being 15 lbs overweight, and rather than just pay a fine they had me pack all the extra into a cardboard box and then pay $130 to ship the box), I found out that my business class ticket had been upgraded to first class because the flight was overbooked! I got to use the lounge before I boarded, I boarded first, and the 14-hour flight went by really quickly - I even managed to sleep for almost seven hours.

We landed in Incheon around 4:30am on Wednesday, and luckily all my luggage made it through and I was even able to exchange my money for Korean won at that time in the morning. I checked in at the EPIK desk, and there was a four-hour wait for a bus and then a four-hour bus ride to Jeonju University (their awesome slogan is "The Place for Superstars") in the city of Jeonju, where our orientation is based. It made for a very long day, but I was finally registered and in my dorm room by 3:30 or 4pm. After a shower and a little unpacking I was asleep by 5pm! The next night I only made it until 7pm, but even with going to bed that early I was able to sleep through the nights.

I've been in South Korea for about five days now, and have settled into the routine of our orientation here. I'm even sleeping normal hours now! It's going really well and I'm amazed at how well-run and efficient it is, and how considerate everyone here is of us teachers. They helped us set up bank accounts, recommended a cell phone plan and provider and then even brought in the vendor, and organized a full medical exam for us, because one is required of all new teachers in the country. I was expecting to have to do all of that myself and was so relieved to have it all organized for me.

We also have Survival Korean lessons and Korean movies every night. These are optional but I've been to every one. The Survival Korean is really helpful - I've already learned how to properly introduce myself to my future principal and co-teacher as well as the Korean names for several school facilities. And the movies are a really cool, unique way to learn about the culture (the film industry here is huge, if you ever have the chance you should check out some Korean films!). Besides Korean lessons and movies, we learned a little history through a field trip to a traditional village and Buddhist temple. I'll try to put up pictures soon!

The weather here has been somewhat difficult to get used to - it's very hot and humid, and this isn't even the hottest part of the summer (that's in July). Air conditioning does exist here, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my apartment will have it. The food also requires a little bit of an adjustment, but I like it for the most part - a lot of spicy vegetables, a lot of interesting and mysterious seafood, and a lot of rice. It's very healthy and my chopstick skills are slowly improving.

However, for the most part I haven't really experienced culture shock or homesickness yet, and I think that has a lot to do with the atmosphere here at the orientation. I'm surrounded by 700 Westerners, attending lectures at a university, eating meals in a cafeteria and even sleeping in a dorm; it's like being back at college again. It's very comfortable, but after we leave here on Friday and go off to our various schools around the country, I'll be entering the 'real world' - I'll be on my own in another strange city, with a much, much smaller support system and a brand new job.

So overall I am definitely nervous for orientation to end, but I'm really enjoying it so far! I love hearing from everyone at home, so keep the emails, comments and Facebook posts coming!