It has been nearly six months since I left U.S. soil and I still can't answer what is the most obvious question: why go to Korea? I think any logical, sound-minded individual would be expected to have a solid answer for that question before they ever left home. I also believe that anyone with a solid answer for that question would never wind up in Korea. People here are of a special breed with a really unique mindset towards life experiences that allows us to understand each other's reasoning without any questions or conversations. I've met such a wide spectrum of people here in Korea but perhaps the one consistent trait is that none of us can really explain in words why we're here. You here answers like, "I didn't choose Korea, Korea chose me" and I think that says it about as well as I ever could. I doubt anyone had a list of pros and cons as that type of thinking and reasoning isn't applicable to such a radical change. You have to be willing to take a chance on yourself and just jump over the edge of the cliff without looking. You can't hesitate, you can't second guess, you have to be the type of person who knows what they want, even if they don't know why they want it, and just lunge head first towards your goal.
Is Korea what I expected? No, not at all and yes, completely, all in the same breath. The reason being that I came here with almost no expectations. I just packed my entire life into two, overweight suitcases and 18 hours later I was here. I didn't know what Korean culture would be like, how I would survive, what I would eat, who I would meet, what I would see, etc. So in that sense it was completely unexpected and foreign. At the same time I knew I would be pushed to new limits and exposed to new ways of thinking that I would carry with me forever. I would be forced to grow as a person and begin to develop a deeper understanding of who Kevin Michael Kushion actually is. Korea has definitely not disappointed in the latter category. Living, working, and playing in a culture as different from my own as Korean is like holding a giant mirror up to yourself and your way of life. By recognizing why Koreans are the way they are it allows me to identify why I am the way I am. Not only experiencing but being completely immersed in a foreign culture allows you an opportunity to view and analyze your own culture from the outside. I may not speak Korean or look Korean or feel Korean, but for all intents and purposes for this year, I am Korean. There isn't a U.S. oasis where we escape to live life--every part of everyday is entirely and sincerely Korean. Most days Charlie and Ben are the only two people I interact with that aren't Korean. That means every other person I encounter at all during the entire the day is culturally, physically, linguistically different from me. Store clerks, bus drivers, waitresses, strangers--everyone is a chance to learn, grow, and further understand this country where I've chosen to live for a year. The lessons I learn here may be specific to Korea but they truly are applicable to life anywhere.
I view my unique position as an outsider as much more of a blessing than a curse. I now am much more conscious of how people view me and my culture. I've developed an ability to communicate with people without using words. I can read body language and social cues in order to gauge situations. I really feel that if I can survive six months in Suwon without knowing any Korean I can do anything. We've overcome some real obstacles that may seem minor and inconsequential to people back home but that leave me with a deep sense of accomplishment and a knowledge that I really can tackle anything that comes my way. I think back to that first week when Charlie and I would just wander looking for places that had English menus and marvel at how far we've come. We've done more than survive, we've made this our life and thrived.
I think in my first six months the one thing I will remember most is the people. First, I've been incredibly blessed to have two guys like Ben and Charlie here with me. To have people to share your day with is awesome, to have guys who have quickly become some of my best friends is even better. I cringe to think about what my experience would be like without Ben and Charlie. Next, I will just say everyone at Talkster. Haji, Anna, Betty, Josh, Michelle, and Edward have been wonderful to work with and have taught me a great deal about being a successful teacher as well as a better human being. I'm sincerely enjoyed working with them and getting to know them, especially away from work on a more personal level. As much as I have learned from all of them, I've learned ten times more from the students. This one sort of caught me off guard, but I have grown quite attached to the students and I look forward to seeing them everyday. My favorite part of everyday, and perhaps my favorite part of Korea, is from 2:50-3:00 p.m. when the youngest students gather outside in the street and play before class. I always just stand in the doorway smiling--few things in life have ever brought me as much joy as watching those munchkins run around and have shoe kicking contests. I see in those 10 minutes such unhindered happiness and potential for growth that is really humbles me and reminds me what I should be striving for in my own life. Teaching has been its own battle with really rewarding highs and disappointing lows. I think teaching actually may run counter to my personality so I really have to 'gear up' and get in the proper mindset before each class. Also, teaching students ranging from 6 to 15 years old requires you to change gears each hour and helps to keep me on my toes. I've grown to really enjoy some of the students' company. Obviously I teach a lot of great kids who are an absolute pleasure to teach. On the other hand I have kids who originally drove me crazy and at times down-right pissed me off. I'm proud to report that I've found ways to relate to and engage those students such that I can now welcome them as a part of the class. I really turned the corner with a few students and developed a mutual respect with them of which I'm extraordinarily proud. A little diplomacy in recognizing and cultivating a common ground can really go a long way in bridging the gap between disrespectful student and inexperienced teacher. I am very confident that over the next 6 months I will really hone my ski ls and become a more efficient educator.
I'll leave it there for now. I promise I will post again in the next few days with more specifics as to what we've been up to lately.
Take it easy, but take it.
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