This past week has been crazy busy! On Day 12 we traveled to Gyeong Ju for a day trip. We took a bullet train from Busan to Gyeong Ju and then took a bus ride to the Daereungwon Tomb Complex. This is a burial ground where ancient Kings and nobles are buried. We were able to tour the grounds and enter one of the excavated burial mounds with a tour guide. We learned about the kings that were buried in the mounds and the history behind the burials. This tour was very interesting and the grounds were incredibly peaceful. After the Tomb Complex we were going to a famous temple site on the top of the mountain. Unfortunately, the many days of travel and lack of sleep had started to effect my body. I started to suffer from heat exhaustion and dehydration and was unable to complete the excursion. Myself and one of my professors waited at the bus stop until the rest of the group completed their hike to the temple. After the rest of the group met us at the bus station we were headed back to the school. It was a long weekend of travel, but a wonderful one!
We started teaching again on Tuesday and it was great to be back in the classroom. The classroom is always high-energy and the girls' joy is contagious. Waking up at 6am, teaching until after dinner, and then private tutoring some days until later can be exhausting, but the students make everything worth it. The students will come into our office to say hello or for help on their English assignments throughout the day between classes. They are always incredibly grateful and reminding me of why I am in the profession of education. I have started to fall into a routine while being here. I have found my favorite spot on campus: the rooftop of the high school where there are benches that overlook the entire city and the mountains. I found my favorite place in town: this cute little coffee shop with delicious tea and wifi. I bought a soccer ball with some of the other student teachers and have enjoyed kicking the ball around in the school playground. We have had some classes and homework assignments with readings to complete as well for our course. The schedule keeps us very busy, but this experience is something I am so thankful to be a part of and the thought of having to leave these students at the end of the month is heartbreaking. I could never put into words how amazing these students really are. Their love for each other, their teachers, the school, and us is apparent in everything they do. I am constantly amazed by their passion and bright outlook on life despite their rigorous schedule and academic pressure. I am glad I brought my planner, because it is now filled with different dates of events that the students have invited me to and I can't wait to witness some of their many talents!
Yesterday the native English teachers had a BBQ on the rooftop of their apartment and invited all of us to join. We had an American style BBQ and had a relaxing day away from the school. It was great to swap stories with them and hear about their interesting life stories that brought them here to Korea to teach. We are happy to have their support while we are here and from the sounds of it they are happy to have Americans here, as well. Everyone here has been incredibly welcoming, but it is nice to have the comfort of people from your country. We ate, swapped stories, and shared some laughs on the rooftop all day yesterday. At the end of the night I went back to the dorm for some relaxation while watching some movies and doing laundry.
Today is our first day with nothing on the schedule and I plan on making the best of it by spending it at a coffee shop with wifi and watching movies later. This week is a full week of teaching with more integration into the classroom by teaching lessons we are creating. I am excited for this week and to spend more time with the students!
We started teaching again on Tuesday and it was great to be back in the classroom. The classroom is always high-energy and the girls' joy is contagious. Waking up at 6am, teaching until after dinner, and then private tutoring some days until later can be exhausting, but the students make everything worth it. The students will come into our office to say hello or for help on their English assignments throughout the day between classes. They are always incredibly grateful and reminding me of why I am in the profession of education. I have started to fall into a routine while being here. I have found my favorite spot on campus: the rooftop of the high school where there are benches that overlook the entire city and the mountains. I found my favorite place in town: this cute little coffee shop with delicious tea and wifi. I bought a soccer ball with some of the other student teachers and have enjoyed kicking the ball around in the school playground. We have had some classes and homework assignments with readings to complete as well for our course. The schedule keeps us very busy, but this experience is something I am so thankful to be a part of and the thought of having to leave these students at the end of the month is heartbreaking. I could never put into words how amazing these students really are. Their love for each other, their teachers, the school, and us is apparent in everything they do. I am constantly amazed by their passion and bright outlook on life despite their rigorous schedule and academic pressure. I am glad I brought my planner, because it is now filled with different dates of events that the students have invited me to and I can't wait to witness some of their many talents!
Yesterday the native English teachers had a BBQ on the rooftop of their apartment and invited all of us to join. We had an American style BBQ and had a relaxing day away from the school. It was great to swap stories with them and hear about their interesting life stories that brought them here to Korea to teach. We are happy to have their support while we are here and from the sounds of it they are happy to have Americans here, as well. Everyone here has been incredibly welcoming, but it is nice to have the comfort of people from your country. We ate, swapped stories, and shared some laughs on the rooftop all day yesterday. At the end of the night I went back to the dorm for some relaxation while watching some movies and doing laundry.
Today is our first day with nothing on the schedule and I plan on making the best of it by spending it at a coffee shop with wifi and watching movies later. This week is a full week of teaching with more integration into the classroom by teaching lessons we are creating. I am excited for this week and to spend more time with the students!