Once in a Lifetime Experience

I moved to South Korea in October 2021 and spent a year teaching in schools provided by the EPIK programme. However, I could not have done this without the exceptional help of TFT.

From the very first call I had with Jaemi, to the moment the plane left the airport I was continually supported. None of my questions (some of which seemed silly) were ignored and answered in a very timely manner. Even when I was abroad I still had TFT behind me, providing updates via email and watsapp continuously. I even get emailed now asking how I am. TFT really care about us all.

When living in South Korea I was in a lovely seaside town called Donghae, which if you love hiking half as much as I do, is an ideal place to live. Mountains galore! The people are very welcoming and polite and the town was just a great location to be in. The schools I worked with, one centrally based in the town and another in the countryside about a 40 min bus ride away, were incredible places to work with. I wasn't treated like a stranger and was asked my opinion on things continually. I was allowed my own creative freedom in the classroom and I know my students loved the amount of crazy games as well cultural lessons I came up with. If the 40 min bus ride has made you worry, fear not, South Korean public transport is top notch, always on time and very fast! Also, if you want to move to Korea to have a genuine experience like I did, moving to a town like Donghae, in Gangwon-Do, is perfect. You pick up Korean quite quickly, with the help of your students teaching you K-Pop lyrics and old women helping show you round supermarkets and asking you 110 questions. All in good humour obviously, but it helps with the home-sickness that does appear, and like I said, makes learning Korean a breeze. Equally, if you are afraid or nervous about speaking Korean, please don't be, everyone is always so happy and appreciative to hear you even say a simple "hello" or "thankyou".

Although I travelled during Covid-19 I wasn't restricted in where I could go in Korea, visting several beautiful places in the country, even having my mum spend two of my last weeks with me exploring. But I was unable to travel outside the country. If I was to go back (which is highly likely) I'd love to explore more of South-East Asia as restrictions are now lifted and holiday leave is very fruitful, with bank holidays also a common occurance.

Without the support of TFT I would not have made it there, probably having chickened out along the way, but as my continual cheerleaders they helped me experience something that not everyone is lucky enough to experience.

So if you are reading this and feeling any of the same fear I did, I fully suggest you just do it! You will not regret it and TFT will help you every step of the way.