10% through

The 6-week Orientation for the grant year is nearing its close. Time flies. I’m already 1/10th through the year.

The Days are packed
Weekdays we have 4 straight hours (9am-1pm) of Korean class followed by Korean cultural or English teaching workshops. There was an English Camp for two weeks where I taught three classes of English to Korean students of various abilities. There are also rare moments of free time when I would use to explore the area, hang out in Seoul, go to church, etc…

Fellow EATs
I’ve met some amazing people from all over the US and different walks of life. Most graduated in 2009. Age is a big deal in Korea, but we’re all in a new experience together. So as far as exposure to Korea is concerned, everyone’s a neophite (as Peter would say).

The deepest relationships that I have are with the people in my Korean language class (the “advanced” class), and with other Christians. Our language class is mainly comprised of Korean-Americans who grew up speaking Korean and were raised in Korean homes in the States; and also Korean-Adoptees, who work really hard and are just ridiculously awesome in Korean. It’s also been good to meet with other Christians to pray and put our priorities in order together.

Korean Class
Korean class is fun but grueling. My classmates consider me the class clown, because I’m always cracking (lame/awkward) jokes or asking stupid questions. I think I lost steam toward the end of the class because my teachers (Lee and Choi Sunsengnim) said that I started out the orientation with “bright shining” eyes, but that I had become complacent towards the end. It's disappointing because mastering the Korean language is a big part of my reason for coming here. I’m not too sure how much my Korean improved, since it was an "advanced class", and what I really needed to focus on was basic grammar knowledge and improve my elementary 무식한 Korean vernacular. The plan is buy some of the more basic Korean Language books this week in Seoul and complete them before the winter break.

Cultural Adjustment/English Training Workshops
It’s tough to sit through an additional 2 hours of workshops after 4 intense hours of studying Korean… but these workshops provide important info that prepare all of us Americans for staying in Korea. I’ve learned things about Korean mannerisms that I’ve seen, but never had explained to me.

Learning how to teach and pass on information, checking for understanding is also a great tool that can be used just about anywhere. My biggest improvement in teaching was learning to plan and time a lesson. I wish I had some pictures to share, but my camera has been out of batteries for a little bit.

Camp Fbright
I taught 3 classes at the English Camp organized by Fbright. The first two were for the lowest level beginner class, to a co-ed class of 12 elementary students. They were really cute kids, and I had fun teaching them. It was a challenge trying to anticipate their language ability, and make adjustments so that my lessons would be meaningful.

The first lesson was a lesson on different cities in the US, and what people could do there. It was too much information, too much teaching at them, not enough participation. My second lesson was on the Chinese Zodiac, which I thought would be fun. But again, it was also a little too much info. Its not easy teaching beginners because almost every single English word needs explanation. Nonetheless, it was awesome bonding with the students and learning each of their names. Some of them would yell my name when we passed each other on campus. It’s a good feeling when a student remembers your name after only one lesson.

The last class I taught was to a co-ed advanced class of high schoolers… My lesson plan wasn’t all that great, but the difference in this class was their willingness to run with my idea and have a good time with it. The lesson was on last minute Christmas shopping and “matching your gift to the gift recipient”. Students and I laughed a lot while choosing random gifts for classmates and explaining them. Good times.

Extracurriculars
We went to Songnisan, a mountain area known for its Buddhist temples and giant Buddha statue to learn about Korea’s Buddhist history. Had a nice hike up the mountain and was great just chatting with fellow EATs.
I also spent weekends in Seoul or Ilsan visiting family and catching up. Those were good times, but I wonder how often I’ll be seeing them throughout this year.
I did Hanji (Korean Paper art), and a Cooking class (where I learned how to make Jabchae and Kimbab)… was nothing that special.
Checked out the DMZ from the North Eastern city of Hwacheon, and briefly saw another area of North Korea. It was like a 2 hour bus ride for a 15 minute briefing on the DMZ… not recommended.

Church
Didn’t really settle in on one church, but really wish that I did so that I could have a sense of community and fellowship. I did have that with other ETAs though.

I visited several, including 사랑의침례교회, 영낙교회, a Mass, and another place where I can’t really remember the name. I definitely enjoy the small church atmosphere, so being at 사랑의침례교회 was where I felt most comfortable. I went there today for the last time, and they made a special announcement telling folks that it would be my last week and that I would be leaving to teach English in a different part of the Country for the rest of the year. People wished me well, offered their prayers, and gave me a lot of encouragement. Was really glad to be part of that family during my brief stay in Chuncheon.

Placement
I will be in a small city called Cheongwon in the Chungcheongbuk-do province (central South Korea). I’m teaching at a co-ed middle school that has approximately 1,100 students. The town I’m living in has about 100,000 people living there. Should be a kind of small town feel compared to what I’m used to in Los Angeles. I’m moving there in about a week. Yikes. I still don’t know where I am doing my homestay. Praying for a good family.

Prayer requests
- Health: eating, sleeping, and my back has been aching, exercise, breaking laziness
- Placement: Positive relationships with my co-workers and host family
- Family: For my family in Korea
- Other EATs: Relationships with other ETAs
- Church: Find a strong church that I can be committed to
- Faith: Boldness of a Lion, Throwing aside every hindrance, Intentionality in spending time with God
- Orientation: Final Exam, Wrapping Up

Closing Verse
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
"When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."