Weygugi (foreigner)/Ambassador of Black People

I finished my first full week in Korea.

It has had its highs and lows. I am adjusting to people staring at me, pointing, calling me Weygugi (foreigner), and being unable to communicate with 95% of the people here. In the classes the children stare at me, none of them have seen a black person before. I was asked by one of the Korean instructors to explain my hair to her class. I refused. I've been struggling with how to react. At first, i was upset and frustrated and angry, but now I'm taking it all in stride. I am becoming more aware of how behind this society is when it comes to different cultures and diversity. Essentially, I am here to help broaden the worldview of the native people of Korea. I am taking my roll as Ambassador of Black people very seriously. For the most part, a lot of these people will never leave this peninsula, so I will be their only experience with a person of color. I want to show them how beautiful my culture is. If I can erase the stereotypes and broaden the perception of one Korean, my mission will be accomplished. I plan to use my classroom as an opportunity to show the positivity of Black culture. I am going to use positive music and poetry from Black authors to show my classes a different perspective of Black culture. Most of them only have exposure to what is on American television and movies here (think Boys in the Hood and 50 cent). Don't get me wrong, It's not all bad here. I don't mean to sound negative, but that is one major part of my life here in Korea. I am very aware of the fact that I am Black. I am more conscious of my skin color, nappy hair, and weight than I ever have been in my life.

On a brighter note, I have met some pretty great people. I went out Friday and Saturday night and experienced night life in Ulsan. Friday night, we went to a traditional Korean club. It was fun and hilarious at the same time. I went with two of the teachers here and other foreigners who teach near our school. Here, there is a dj/singer/dancer/stripper in each club. He is on the stage as the DJ then he stops for a minute and becomes a singer/dancer and in the end he strips down to his chonies. It's great! Hilarious! Dance music is played for about 20 minutes, then slow jams come on (which is the cue for everyone to take a break, get a drink, and chat), then dance music again. Clubs don't close until after 5 a.m. Also, what I noticed, Koreans are a little more reserved when it comes to dating. Boys and girls don't go to clubs together. The girls are escorted around to tables where there are men and if they think they're cute they sit down. It's similar to speed dating. I found it all quite entertaining. I had a great time with the friends I made.

On Saturday night I went to a foreigners bar. There were a lot of new teachers there looking to make friends. I met people there from all around the world. Today, Sunday, I went hiking with one of the teachers at my school, Caroline. She is really a sweet woman. We hiked to the local store here, which took about an hour. I saw a beautiful side of Korea that made up for the bad parts of the week. When we came back, I saw a Black woman walking down the street. She is the first Black person I have seen since I arrived in Korea. I flagged her down and we talked for a bit. Turns out we are neighbors. I got her info and we're going to go to dinner this week. I didn't realize how starved I am for the company of someone that looks like me. It is comforting to know that I'm not the only one here, she's really sweet and I look forward to getting to know her.

I start teaching this week on my own, I'm sure that will be a whole new set of adventures :) I added pictures of my hike today.

Thanks for reading,

Namaste
Nichole

First day of training

So....

Today was the first day. The first class was sooo incredibly rambunctious! They are a funny bunch, but there are quite a few of them in the class and the teacher has absolutely no control. She hasn't set any rules and has let them run wild. They aren't bad kids, they are just excited, and just want to be outside playing. I wish I could give that to them. Today, i was speaking with one of the children and she told me her schedule. She wakes up at 7 a.m. to go to school, then she goes to math academy, then piano lessons, then English academy, then home to do homework! She doesn't get home from school until after 9 p.m. then she still has homework to do. Their lives are so intense for such young children.

When I spoke with my director about how I felt about this, she explained to me the situation from the Korean parents perspective. They are struggling now and they want their children to have the best of the best. So they spend quite a large amount of money from their paychecks each month so that their children will have a better future. I understand it, but I still believe children need to be children. Some of them are so serious and others are completely rebelling because they've been in school for over 10 hours. I honestly can't figure out which is worse: children in America who care so little about education, their future, and spend hardly anytime studying or children that are in school day in and day out with no time to be young and carefree?

Most people in Korea have NEVER seen a black person. Or anyone who isn't Korean for that matter. Korea is known as the most culturally homogenous place in the world with a population of 98% Korean! The students are very intrigued by me because I am Black and because I'm from California. I wouldn't call the people here racist, just uninformed. Most of the students here have never been outside of Korea and have never been exposed to any other cultures. Even a Chinese or Japanese person is foreign to them. They are extremely curious about me, (who knows what they have learned about Black people from their families or from the television). They lean out of the classrooms to wave hello to me! I feel like a superstar!

I live on the 5th floor of the school with 3 other teachers. I haven't seen much of them so far, but I hope to soon. The other two girls live near the beach. They don't have too many positive things to say about Korea, but I am going out with them tomorrow so hopefully I will see a different side of them and meet more people who live in the area. I am truly enjoying my time here. I love all of the change that is around me. I think that the fact that I will be able to deal with this transition positively will make me so resilient. I feel so strong for making this move on my own. I'm really proud of myself and happy! I want to accomplish all that I can while I'm here. It's really an amazing opportunity to learn about another culture first hand. 4 months ago, Korea didn't even exist to me, now I'm living, working, eating, and breathing Korea. Amazing huh?

Anywho, that was a long one, I was excited after class! I'm going to go out and buy some things tomorrow for the apartment, so I'll take some photos of the neighborhood to share.

I think I'm gonna get a kitty! The girl who is leaving needs to find a home for her kitty friend and who better to adopt a kiikii? He's a boy too!

I miss you all out there in the States. I miss diversity and people that know ME. Hope you all are doing well, drop me a line sometime... I'm always onlline :)

Love & Light

Nichole

Ulsan.. the beginning

Today I arrived in Ulsan, the province where I will be spending the majority of this next year.  It's very beautiful and a lot less polluted than Incheon and Seoul.  I am very thankful for that.  It's amazing the small comforts from home that I miss like: the trash man, and the general regulations that America has.  There are no rules about pollution, littering, driving, and food safety.  Living in this country will give me a greater appreciation for America.  

Don't get me wrong, so far I have really enjoyed myself.  I am trying not to get overwhelmed and just take it one day at a time.  The language barrier is amazingly difficult, luckily the people in this area are used to seeing foreigners so they know some English.  I have picked up a lot of Korean very quickly!  You have to adjust when you want to eat I guess :)  I plan on taking a Korean class once I get a little more settled.  They have language exchanges here at the local university where you can go and learn Korean with a native student who wants to practice their English.  

 I have learned that my kids are challenging, they are teens, and bitter about going to school so much.  Koreans highly value education.  These kids are in school a lot compared to American children.  They have regular school, then English classes five days a week on top of that, then most have another extracurricular activity, and two Saturdays a month they have school.  It makes me wonder when they have time to play..... 

However, I admire Korea for taking education so seriously.  My favorite saying is "children are the future".  Here, that philosophy is put into place.  I can't imagine how wonderful America would be if we had the same philosophies.  

I was given the largest apartment at the school, its nice, but I have no view out of my window, which is a little depressing.  But the view from outside and around the area is amazing.  I will go on a walk this weekend and share photos.  I was truly astounded at the beauty of the area on the drive over.  My director took me on the scenic route so that I would be able to see the surrounding area.  It's full of mountains covered in trees on one side and the ocean on the other.  It's really lovely.  The country is very green.  I'm glad it is so nice.   From what I had read about Ulsan, I was a bit nervous, but it has truly lived up to my expectations.  This part of Korea has the largest industrialized area in all of the country.  I flew over it and I have never seen anything like it.  It is beastly and massive and very unattractive.  I felt so many emotions when I saw it, it covered such a large area of land.  Luckily, it can't be seen from anywhere in the city area.  

I'm excited for my classes tomorrow.  I am observing this week and my first day of teaching will be the 14th!  I'm nervous, but ready.  I'm glad I took that teaching English class online, I think it has prepared me for the rigorous life of a teacher.  

I'll close with photos of my journey thus far... hope you enjoy 

Namaste 

Farewell America... Annyong Haseyo Korea!!!

So I made my grande exit from the United States of America.  I had a few drinks, plenty of laughs, and away I went.  The flight went extremely well although very long.  I traveled for about 24 hours!  It was good though...the airplane food was surprisingly delicious.   I had a teriyaki bowl, sushi, and green tea!  

At this moment, I am awake at odd hours in Korea.  It is 9:43 a.m. on Saturday morning and I'm up bright and early after only a few hours of sleep... I hope to get accustomed to the time difference soon.  I just wanted to drop a line so everyone knows I'm okay and doing well!  

Tonight I am going to a jazz festival, I'm going to try my first taste of authentic Korean food, and I'll be partying lock a rock star in a Korean club!  I'll keep you updated... 

I'll upload pictures soon!  

sleepy and excited 

Nichole