Almost 4 weeks ago I hopped on a plane to come and check up on our fearless adventurers, Jen and Heather, who not too long ago spontaneously decided to spend a year of their lives in Asia teaching English as a second language. Oh, and not just Asia, but South Korea. Like many of you, when Jennifer first told me she was moving to Korea, I quickly said, “Korea?!?! Why Korea???” I had heard of people teaching in Japan, a country I have always been very curious about, but couldn’t understand what would make them choose Korea.

I decided that I would need to come over here myself and check things out to make sure our girls were okay in this strange and faraway land. After arriving and spending a few days here, I had already decided that they definitely were NOT okay. Here is part of an e-mail I wrote shortly after arriving:

**So, Korea (note: later, after experiencing Seoul, I realized this mostly describes Busan, where Jen and Heather live) is very strange, unlike any place I've ever traveled, even Asian countries. It is almost all Korean people, you could easily go a day without seeing another foreigner. The Korean people don't speak much English. Jen actually speaks enough Korean to get what she needs- important stuff like hello, thank you, the numbers, no meat, I am a teacher... things like that.

The Korean people don't really pay any attention to the foreigners. Unlike in other countries, where people are pretty curious about me as an American, the Korean people don't even look at me. I had a really hard time getting from the airport in Seoul to Jen's city Busan alone with my two 50 pound bags. I even carried them down two flights of stairs and no one came to help. I've been told a few explanations for that- they may have been afraid I'd try to speak English to them and that they are very self-sufficient people and even the old people will refuse help. Also, I've been told that they are actually truly kind and helpful people that will go completely out of their way for you... if they know you. If they don't know you, it's like you don't exist.

Well, in a couple days... that's been my experience so far. I am very impressed by Jen that she is surviving here. I have heard many stories about teachers leaving after a couple months or even weeks. They take off in the middle of the night and do not complete their contracts because they just cannot handle it. Then there are others who love it here and end up staying extra years.**

Well, you will all be relieved to know that after a week of that depression and negativity (that was likely exacerbated by extreme jetlag)… I have fallen in love with Korea and am completely confident that Jen and Heather are safe and happy here.

I have learned how to connect with the Korean people, who are truly kind and generous, but have also begun to enjoy the freedom I experience when they don’t pay attention to me. I have seen beautiful places and had amazing experiences. Most of all, I have discovered a group of amazing, strong-spirited, adventurous, talented and grounded people among the teachers here that Jen and Heather can be proud to call their friends for life. I am very grateful for this entire experience and will cherish these memories forever.

Saludos, Shosh