I usually taught adults and teens. Most people like me lived at an institute, but those instutes were private schools for preschool kids and the teacher would have a class or classes of screaming kids all day long. My school made contracts with companies for an English teacher to meet with a number of their employees for a specified number of weeks.
Sometimes my boss’s main assistant, Miss Park, would come upstairs to the residence to inform me I had a new class or a on-time class. A Korean staff member always had to escorts me to the class on the subway or bus so I’d know how to get there.
***UNDER CONSTRUCTION***
When I first arrived in Seoul, I had no idea about Korea at all. I was at the mercy of Koreans who were strangers to me, to teach me how to function in public and help me to take the subway and even to shop in stores.
I was absolutely terrified of the suhway before I used it. My hometown was small and any subway was 800km away, in Montreal. The TV shows and movies I had always seen were from the US and subways were always depicted as being crime-ridden and dirty. I remember dreading going on the subway. Soon after my arrival in Seoul, a Korean man who worked for my boss(a “recruiter”, who was a liason between foreigners and Korean companies) had to take me on a subway ride and explain to me how it went. I couldn’t believe it! The Korean subway was very safe and clean! One thing I noticed was that everybody was so calm, quiet and orderly. Hardly anyone spoke and usually everybody slept.
The Commute: A City in Motion
Traveling to different schools and institutes across Seoul gave me a unique perspective on the city. Every subway ride was an adventure, from the early morning rush to the late-night quiet as the city settled down. I grew to love the rhythm of Seoul-the way the city pulsed with energy, the sound of vendors calling out in markets, and the quiet moments on temple grounds. Sometimes, my Korean colleagues would invite me to local restaurants, introducing me to dishes I never would have tried on my own. These shared meals became some of my fondest memories, filled with laughter and stories that bridged our cultures.
Finding Community and Connection
Teaching in Seoul was challenging, but it was also deeply rewarding. The students’ curiosity and determination inspired me every day, and their kindness helped me feel less like an outsider. I learned to appreciate the small victories-when a shy student spoke up in class, or when I could order a meal in Korean without hesitation. Over time, Seoul began to feel less intimidating and more like a second home. The friendships I made, both in and out of the classroom, are memories I still cherish, reminding me that sometimes, the best lessons happen outside the lesson plan.
