Korea Turning Point: Teaching English Abroad

Like most people I was raised to believe that there was a clear path in life: graduate university, find a good career, get married, have kids, and I’d be set. Well in reality that’s not exactly how it panned out but no regrets at all. In February 2016, I took the plunge and moved to South Korea to teach English abroad. I took a leap of faith and went completely out of my comfort zone. It was a major turning point in my life.

“Aha!” Moment

It all began with a eureka moment in the bathroom stall at work. I overheard a conversation in which a co-worker mentioned it was her last few days at the company because she got an English teaching job in Korea. I then recalled a chat I had with my sister ages ago about teaching English abroad in Asia as well as the time I encountered foreign English teachers in Taiwan. I hadn’t thought much of those two instances before but right there at that very moment something just clicked and I realized OMG, that’s what I should do!

At that stage in my life things were ok overall but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was just cruising by. It was a period of self-reflection for me. I recently got out of a 7-year relationship. The reality of being back at square one was daunting. My uncle passed away not too long ago. It was the first death I dealt with in my immediate circle and it made me realize how precious time truly is. My job was decent with opportunity for growth but I found no fulfillment in corporate America. The passion and drive was missing so work felt routine and mundane. I just wasn’t cut out for the 9-5 office gig.

Deep down I knew I wasn’t living life to the fullest. I felt like I was meant to do something more but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. I was searching for my sense of purpose and I knew I certainly wasn’t going to find it with my current lifestyle. I was in major need of a fresh start.

Decisions Decisions

After my epiphany I began research on English teaching programs abroad. The more I read the more convinced I was that this was the route I wanted to take. South Korea kept popping up in my search so I started reading blogs and binge watching YouTube videos about it. Eventually my interest was sparked.

I didn’t have much prior knowledge about Korea. My siblings were obsessed with K-culture at the time but I personally wasn’t really into it. I had only watched 1 K-drama. My exposure to Korean cuisine consisted only of kimchi and Korean barbecue. Thus, it was ironic that out of all of us I was the one who was considering possibly relocating there.

After countless hours of research I decided on my grand plan to press the reset button:

Quit my job
Move to Korea
Start a new career
Begin my journey

Reactions

Yes, of course my parents thought I had lost my marbles. Even some of my friends thought I was crazy. Why move to a foreign place where I didn’t know anyone nor speak the language? I had no teaching background so why teach English abroad? Why leave my job and stability for a pay cut halfway across the world? With the current threats why put myself in such close proximity to North Korea? No one in my immediate circle had ever done anything of the sort so they couldn’t wrap their head around the whole idea.

I myself even questioned whether or not I was going through early mid-life crisis.

Ultimately it all came down to something I first learned from my psychology class, “it’s not the things that you did but the things that you didn’t do that you end up regretting the most.” I had played it safe my entire life so I wanted to take a chance for a change. I was always a firm believer that happiness is far more valuable than money. I loved traveling as well so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to enrich myself.

Outcome

In the end Korea turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. I got placed in Seoul through EPIK and ended up staying for 2 amazing years. My time there was full of adventures, cultural experiences, foodie moments, shopping sprees, and bustling nightlife. I made unforgettable memories and lifelong friendships. Most important of all I learned so much about myself and I grew tremendously as an individual.

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I hope this encourages you to take a chance and step outside of your comfort zone. If you’re contemplating whether or not to teach English abroad hopefully my story serves as inspiration.

Be sure to check out my other post about the ups and downs of expat life.

Have you experienced a big turning point in your life? How did it transform you? Let me know in the comments!

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