Life in Jungwon

Sorry for the delays in updating, the pace is speeding up quickly over here as we begin Korean classes and teaching training. Typically, breakfast is at 8, and then we have Korean Classes from 9-1 (4 hours a day!), lunch, then seminars on teaching and culture in Korea until 5.

Already, the experience is challenging and exciting, and I can't wait to see how much I grow this year. Here are some highlights so far:

I signed up for a lot of optional events during orientation- this was the first one: KPOP DANCE!

Here's a selfie of me (in case you havent seen enough) once I learned to spell my name in Korean! It's pronounced May-ee-buh becuase Korean requires synccopated syllables. It has been a bizarre, enlightening experience to take Korean classes entirely in Korean without knowledge of anything more than "hello," "yes," and "no." We just finished the alphabet and I can read words now very slowly, but still have no idea what anything means. It's giving me a lot of context and ideas for how to teach English with students in a similar position.

Campus is absolutely beautiful and there are forested mountains in the distance everywhere. I have been running a lot and even did yoga outside once (illegally, I think- they are very

touchy about their grass). So grateful for this scenic landscape.

Finally, being as it was Friday, we went out last night for Korean BBQ and Karaoke. It has been pretty hard as a vegatarian so far:-( and bbq was no different-I had to pick around for sides of veggies, but I'm sure I'll work something out (MOM- send peanut butter and veggie burgers!). Karaoke was bomb- I made a lot of friends with my rendition of "White Christmas" and Ashlee Simpson's "Pieces of Me."

I am missing my family and friends so hopefully we can be in touch in the next week. It's insane that every time I go to bed, another day has passed for you by the time I wake up.

Much, much love,

Maeve

P.S.

I am launching another Korean series: "Regular Things that are Cute here"

The first two installments can be found below:

A health food sign with jumping seed//bean people:

Graffii, a smiling circle-man: