This post recollects events, thoughts, and opinions occurring between the last week of Oct. and the first week of Nov 2009. For those of you reading this on Facebook, the original post can be found on my blog at http://www.henrickatlarge.blogspot.com. This sight contains links to photos, lings and multi-media, which do not transfer into Facebook notes.
Well it’s been a few weeks since I have posted anything. I know, I know, I said that I wouldn’t let a lapse like this occur. But, I did. I am pretty busy with work, and the task of settling in has become a little daunting. I have entered the second phase of culture shock (where everything is alien, weird, and sucks), and to tell the truth, my psyche is suffering. So a little about my current condition and situation:
Job: Well due to the high THC levels in my blood, and a wedding in Sept. I had to forgo my Uni job I was offered. That forced me to take a ‘academy’ job here in Busan. In talking to the director, during the ‘courting phase’ of finding a position, I was pretty psyched. The job sounded right up my alley, and not too much of a digression from something that resembled ‘real academic work’. I arrived only to find your ‘typical’ haekwon - long hours, no compensation for preparatory work, and a ‘cut-throat’ attitude toward the business end of private education. The curriculum sucks, there is no academic professionalism, not to mention the slightest bit of concern for any actual learning.
The Plan: Now I find myself trying to get back to the Middle East. I am currently working with two separate recruiters, and attempting to fly back to Oman. The money and accommodations were better, and I had a lot more time for my own pursuits. So, today I am eagerly awaiting an e-mail from one of the said recruiters to see if I fly this week (I’ve been approved, but they’re working around hiring deadlines for the semester) so let’s see. If this doesn’t work, there are other options. I’ll have to explore them if I am forced to (which I hope, I am not). But, it’s not the end of the world. Having been ‘in transit’ for the last four months, I am desperately craving some kind of stability. Right now, I don’t care where I find it. So lets hope for the best!
Korea: All in all, Korea is a pretty cool place. Like anything else, you just have to find the situation that best suits your lifestyle and expectations. Needles to say, this isn’t it. I think that I would come back to the East in the future, to actually teach at a Uni. The learning curve of being an ex-pat has been a steep one indeed. Thought I must say that I am far richer a person because of it. Korea is a place that does have a lot to offer people who are traveling. I don’t want to ‘put people’ off of Korea because of my posts. This is extremely situational, and shouldn’t be taken as the status quoa. I would like to take a moment to publically thank all those who have had the displeasure of having to hear me bitch and moan for the last month or so. Much and special thanks to Mutti and Marie-Therese, you both rule!
