The Korean Surprise

In true Korean surprise fashion, I found out that I am losing my job. I guess technically I am not losing my job; it is more so that the entire position is being dissolved. Fret not, however; I already have a new job lined up to teach in two public schools somewhere in Busan. No, I do not know grade level, location, or class size, but I can at least rest assured that I am not being kicked out of the country come February.

I should probably provide you all with some context for this whole situation. Yesterday morning, myself and 7 other English teachers from the centers were called into a meeting with someone from the Busan Office of Education. We were promptly told the center will be bringing in a new company to run the English programs at the end of February, and that company will be employing their own English teachers. For us, that meant we were no longer needed. On the bright side, we were all assured we would be provided new school placements within Busan city limits; however, they could not guarantee the schools would be in the current school district we are teaching in. Honestly though, who delivers life changing news on a random Wednesday morning? I still had to teach after this atomic bomb was dropped on us!

I am trying to remain positive about the entire situation. One positive (really the best one of them all) is lunch will be provided by the schools. This will allow me to continue experiencing new Korean foods, which I have not really gotten to do since orientation. Another positive is that I will be in a more traditional school setting, interacting with students on a regular basis and getting to build more of a rapport with them. My lessons will no longer be as monotonous as my current schedules. Since I am moving schools, I will be working a regular Monday-Friday schedule. The only caveat being that I can no longer visit the post office or bank any Monday I so please.

I am, however, quite bummed at the prospect of moving apartments, mainly because I have such a nice set up, and I finally finished settling in. Not to mention the fact I have no idea where the new apartment will be located let alone what it even looks like. I have needs, and a shower head situated over the toilet simply will not do. I am more upset, though, at the prospect of being the only English teacher within the school. No longer will I have the comfort of working alongside other English teachers and Korean co-teachers who speak my language and somewhat understand and connect with my background. The sorority girl will have to come out strong if I am wanting to make friends.

I'm still trying to process everything that has happened, but after a tear-filled conversation with the parentals, many complaint filled conversations with the other teachers, and lots of time spent running through various scenarios in my head, I am slowly starting to find some even footing. At the end of the day, I still have a job, and I will still be in Busan. It is sad that the life I had started to build is being monumentally disrupted, but I just keep telling myself "it will all turn out the way it is supposed to, and this is just another little adventure that I will be taking". Although, I did not technically plan this adventure. C'est la vie.

As always, I will keep you all updated on the many more experiences to come from this year long journey.