This was written in May of 2014, but somehow never got published.
So I’m absolutely loving my time in Korea, but I have an issue. Not really a problem, but I can’t seem to make a decision when I need to right now.
See the application period for EPIK for Spring 2015 is pretty much here and I can’t decide if I want to stay with EPIK and try to go to Seoul or leave the teaching and do language school for a term. I would then finish my Master’s degree (ends two weeks after the language school), and then go back to teaching at that time.
I really do enjoy working for EPIK and I love working with children. Elementary kids are full of life and I love making English enjoyable and understandable for them. What I really want is to become a University Professor here in Korea close to Seoul. Close as in within an hour or so. I just can’t seem to figure out what the next move should be. I already started filling doing the paperwork for EPIK (and I hope they don’t change their application again), but I also started looking at Yonsei’s KLI program.
The reasons I want to move to Seoul are simple. I want to improve my Korean language skills and be in an area that offers events pertaining to my passions. Seoul is where everything that is music, art, and theatre performance. There are so many interesting events that I would love to attend, but can’t because they are doing a week night in Seoul. Also, spending over $100 just to be in Seoul for 3 days and 2 nights is not fun for me. No, I don’t really NEED to save my money, but I want to.
I don’t know…I have two questions in my head. Do I want to risk applying for Seoul, not getting it and then being unhappy for a year somewhere else and possibly not teaching elementary grade level OR do I leave EPIK and do the KLI program, finish my Master’s and then decide from there. There is also the possibility of me doing my PH.D here.
Any advice would be great.
MusicalSeoul 