Why did you choose this program?
When I was a junior in college I studied abroad for 4 months in the Dominican Republic. It was a life changing experience and the program took very good care of me.
They were there 24/7 and were willing to answer any questions I had about the country and its cultural, political and social dynamics. I felt very fortunate to have them as a guide throughout my stay.
When I decided to move to Asia I knew I would be in good hands if I chose to partner with them again.
What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
My program provider helped me with my orientation and financial planning when I arrived in the country. I knew I wanted to create a budget so I could save some money and he was very helpful in showing me how to balance my spending and still enjoy myself while overseas.
Lastly, before I came the program providers were also very helpful in helping me to get all of my paperwork completed and sent into the school on time for my arrival.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
The best advice I can give someone is for them to decide what type of experience they want to have before they arrive. I found that when I arrived in South Korea I was already clear that I wanted to embrace the natural landscape and people's culture. I was open to hiking, sight seeing, and other adventures that would help me to understand the background and historical context of the region.
Lastly, I remember a lot of people warning me about adjusting to the social differences when I arrived. I found out that there were a lot similarities in the way people described the relationships here and how men, women, children, elders relate to one another. However, to my surprise I've learned that not everything I heard about South Korea was true.
It has taken me a while to adjust to the mental assumptions I made about their culture and how different it would be from mine. I've learned that though as a whole they may express themselves differently in certain context such as work, school and family life, I can still relate to them as human beings and their sentiments behind their actions.
In some ways, there is still a feeling of familiarity when we communicate with one another here even though the delivery is different than I am used to back home in the United States.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
I typically work Monday through Friday 1:30 - 8:30 pm. I live about a 15 minute walk from my job so I am able to have some free time in the mornings before work.
I decided to take up Taekwando classes. I have class Tuesday through Thursday 12:20 - 1:20 pm. Thankfully, my Taekwando school is on the same block as my job so I am able to run to make it on time to work when I am finished. I also have picked up a few tutoring classes (for extra money) with my academy so I work until 9:00pm 3 days a week.
After work I typically am tired so I eat some dinner and then call it a night. Even though I get out late it helps that I don't work too far from my house. I enjoy the walk home at night because it gives me a chance to see many Korean families in their night life.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it and/or how did your views on the issue change?
Going to South Korea, my biggest fear was about race relations and how I would be received as a black woman in Asian culture. I was so grateful to learn that they are very welcoming of my differences and being proud of their culture does not take away from their ability to appreciate others.
I find that I am very comfortable in my neighborhood and after two months I can tell that my community has received me well. Everyone is very patient with me and gives me guidance if they see I am struggling to understand and navigate the culture.
Overcoming this fear was a lot easier than I thought it would be. It helped that I was open to learning about the unique aspects of their culture. Joining the martial arts class and going out with my co workers opened me up to learning about Koreans in a way I would not have if I only saw them in the context of work.
I've also tried to make my face known in my neighborhood. I found people tend to look out for me when then recognize me as a daily customer. My views about race relations have grown and I recognize now more than ever how important it is for me to be open minded about how I am perceived in other cultures.
Why was it important for you to have this experience at this point in your life?
After teaching for two years in NYC I knew I was at a crossroads in my career. Although it was still early I could feel the "itch" of wanting something different. I tried the idea of living in NYC and maybe even moving to another part of the country. However, I always knew it was my dream to work and live overseas.
I had a given up on the dream a few years prior because it seemed too outside of the norm in comparison to my peer group. I remember feeling very conflicted. There was the choice between doing what was expected of me, or doing what would fulfill me, and the two contradicted one another. I am so happy that I gave my dream a chance. My courage has yet to fail me.
Following my dream of international work has only helped to enhance my sense of self value in a way that I could not have fathomed if I stayed back home.
I recognize that it is a gift to be able to live in another part of the world and be able to assimilate and transition with little to no extreme set backs. I have had my moments of cultural differences and frustrations but in general I am at peace with my decision and I am more content than I've been in years. This is my version of success at my age and I realize now that it is healthy that everyone has their own version as well.