Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Jeju Paradise

A few weeks ago, mid-April, Fulbright Korea held the annual spring-conference for all researchers and ETAs on the beautiful island of Jeju.
The conference lasted three days, and included numerous workshops about teaching, and culture, as well as time to connect with fellow Fulbrighters.

The conference was refreshing for two reasons:
1. I have not failed as a teacher. Discussing teaching techniques in workshop, and with fellow ETAs,  made me realize that I love my students as much as other teachers, I try as hard as other teachers, and I use many of the same games, and teaching techniques as other teachers. So in other words, while that doesn't make me an amazing teacher, it means that I am no worse and no better than other teachers; simply walking on the path of learning.

2. It was wonderful to spend an entire weekend speaking English. This might sound simple, or even obvious, but I had forgotten how much I love to talk and listen, and truly understand. My Korean skills are very limited, so while I can communicate enough to get by, in every day life I am more of an observer than participant. And it is tiring.

As refreshing as it was to communicate in my own language again, it was also a double edged sword, because I came back from the conference more aware of all the ways in which my Korean skills limit my ability to truly communicate and interact with my host family and co-workers. This frustration has been hard to deal with, and it has taken almost three weeks to arrive again at the quiet acceptance of my lack of communication skills, that I had before the conference.

The Koi pond at the hotel
Anyway, the best part of the weekend was the hotel, a five-star, luxurious building that included everything from koi ponds to golden, embossed elevators.
I think the best way to summarize the weekend is to share some photos below.


Jeju is famous for oranges


Traditional performance

Visiting with friends

Seongsang Ilchulbong is an old volcano at the edge of the island, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The weather, sadly, was not very clear, but still the view was breathtaking.

No comments:

Post a Comment