Feeling Foreign

Sometimes, when I'm at home, planning a lesson, talking with my foreign friends, or listening to music, I forget that I'm in a foreign country surrounded by people who do not speak English every day, and sometimes, life is just a constant reminder of how helpless I really am. Most of the time with the language I feel like a small child. If I want something, I have to go to right person to ask for it. Even when I have reached the proper person I still have to try extremely hard to communicate what I want. I wave my arms in the air, point to the object, use as many single words as I can think of, and when I have accomplished communication, feel such great relief. I bow and say, "Thank you," all the while feeling very humbled that I am on the opposite end of the spectrum now. I don't speak the language, and am at a disadvantage because of it. So far away from people who really understand me and trying so hard to communicate is exhausting, and I am now motivated, EXTREMELY motivated to learn the language here. Because when all I want  is a trash bag, using Korean really doesn't seem so hard.

Even when it's hard I always have a smile on my face because someone is helping me, and there is One who is ever by my side. I am learning to rely more fully on God for so many things, especially when I need someone to just listen who really "gets me." I don't have to try so hard just to communicate with Him, He knows, and I know He knows, and that is enough.

Survival of the Waygooks

After my first couple weeks in Korea, I have learned to recognize the word "Waygook" meaning "foreigner." It is not uncommon to hear while I'm walking down the street as well as receive several stares. It's a part of life, and being one of only a small population of foreigners in my town of Jochiwon (still a part of Sejong) surviving daily life without knowing the language can be a challenge. When I go to the store, I just hope I can find what I'm looking for because I can't ask for help. When Koreans speak to me and I don't understand, I simply smile, shake my head, and say "sorry." Koreans are very kind, though, and are friendly and helpful even when I do not understand. This combined with the children at my school who say, "Hello" to me at every opportunity makes my stay in Korea that much more enjoyable, not to mention the kindness and helpfulness of the fellow foreigners here in my community. If you are not a very  nice person, when you come to Korea, you will certainly need to be because that is just how it is here. Everyone I have met has made my Korean experience so far a memorable and enjoyable one!

More to come later about school stories!