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3 Ways to Mentally Prepare for Life in Korea

 

“I help busy women who dream of teaching English in Korea, rock the application process & prepare for their long-awaited adventure.”

-Tonya Teacher

 

Don't go through the application process alone or just rely on a recruiter. Get the help and preparation you need for making the jump to Korea a smooth one!

 
 
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Looking to restart & reinvent yourself in Korea? Don't miss out on this workshop!

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Friendships and relationships are a funny thing when you move abroad. Suddenly speaking the same language is grounds for becoming BFFs 👯. You may find yourself relating to people you typically wouldn't have talked to back home 😅. . It's like kindergarten all over again... "You're here. I'm here. Let's be friends!" 👶🏽👶🏽 LOL. . But that's one thing I love about life in Korea, it opens you up to new possibilities. . . So back home I never was big into partying. In Korea, like many foreigners, I was captivated by the unique and convenient nightlife of Korea and thus ended up making a lot of friends this way. . Then there's the dating scene. Phew! Dating in Korea deserves a full IG account on its own 😂! But eventually, one girl's-night-out, a young and man-hating Tonya stumbled upon her future hubby in G-dragon's famous nightclub in Hongdae, Seoul. . . Did I say Korea opens you up? Any experience abroad will challenge so much of what you believe! . I NEVER thought I'd meet my husband in a club. Look who's a believer now 😝! . . One thing I learned in Korea is to be open to new experiences, new people, love, friendships, and new adventures💋.
A lot of new teachers in Korea start off in the doe-eyed, honeymoon phase when they arrive. For the first 6 months or so (maybe even longer depending on how cherry blossom-wasted 🌸 you are) everything is perfect, new and exciting. . . However slowly but surely time ticks ⏳ and and little things start to agitate you...A LOT😤 . . . WHY do people always push me? WHY does my supervisor tell me everything at the LAST minute? WHY did that lady just touch me hair 😡?! . . Is this even avoidable? Isn't this just natural? I'd say YES and NO. With many new ventures we take on there is a period of time when nothing can get us down, and we giddily skip past anything negative. After a while, the newness fades and if not careful we get jaded, and even worse -- bitter! . . I'm ALL about mindset and visualization🌈! I believe that practicing both can set you up on the best path. . . Not ready for the "hoo-haa" lol? More actionable ways to keep yourself from becoming a bitter ole teacher in Korea... . Research, research, research (duh.) AND Talk to someone who's teaching/taught there. And honestly, talk to someone of your race/ethnicity 👥. I'm not here to promote Korea as some perfect country! Your race, ethnicity,nationality and general appearance will play heavy roles in your daily life in Korea. But this is where that mindset we talked about comes in... . . You want to move to Korea for a fresh start, a change of scenery, a new life...you can't do this without a changing your MIND. . . Start visualizing 👁️ your day to day, the ups & downs, your reactions, the good & bad. . Aaahh...one step closer to your life abroad dreams ☁️.
POP QUIZ‼️A few of you have recently commented on some of my posts sharing that you’ll be moving to Korea soon. Again, CONGRATULATIONS 🍾🎊! Have you been doing your research👩🏾‍💻? . . QUIZ TIME ⏱: When is it necessary to use the above hand/arm gestures❓❔
Away with friends this past weekend and we kept making silly jokes about “living your best life”... But really are you??👀 . . . It honestly takes so much courage to “live your BEST life” because this could mean following a path that is out of the norm, against family wishes, and out of your comfort zone🙀. But honestly if you aren’t doing this then you aren’t LIVING. . . For me, moving to South Korea was so scary, crazy, random, spontaneous but throughout the research, application and actual arrival I felt ALIVE and the rush of making the leap abroad has propelled me forward ever since! . . Is teaching in Korea one of those scary, invigorating dreams you have? GIRL, it’s time to LIVE your BEST life 💃🏽💃🏽.. ✨If you want some guidance in mapping out a plan for you to teach in Korea, book an Exploration Call with me 🤳🏽. We’ll take 20 minutes get you organized & armed with clear goals😉.
My 1st job in Korea was at a public elementary school in the countryside.There were only 50 students in the school 😮! I loved how that gave me the opportunity to literally get to know EVERY student and have a personal relationship with each of them💕. . . For those of you thinking of teaching in Korea- big city OR countryside?? 🤔
Living in Korea with dietary limitations? Currently I am a vegan but when I first moved to Korea I was pescatarian 🐟. Many people gasped in shock when I told them I didn’t eat meat and was going to the land of BBQ 🍖! “What are you going to eat?!?” . . Honestly guys it really wasn’t that hard. Yes, like with ANY dietary limitation ANYWHERE you’ll have to put more effort into planning/finding your meals. Yes, you’ll have to cook more than your friends, research the menu prior to an outing and learn specific words and phrases to communicate your needs to the waitress. But honestly for someone used to eating a diet out of the “norm”, it’s not that big of a deal. Don’t let others scare you away from taking the leap abroad. There are pescatarians, vegetarians and VEGANS living in South Korea (and not starving). . . With my schools, I found that communicating my dietary needs on day ONE worked best. My managers, supervisors and coworkers always took note and always went above and beyond to accommodate my needs. Often I even felt a bit embarrassed because I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone and was accustomed to eating what’s available. . . Don’t worry 😉. Be happy 🌈. Eat your plants 🌱.
When the dream becomes a reality every moment is magical 💝. . . . I’ve never been one to shy away from an adventure and I love inspiring others to do the same. This year’s adventure for me was starting my online course & mentorship program. What adventure ride are YOU on?? 🤸🏽‍♀️
Saying HELLO 👋🏽 to everyone following me! I appreciate everyone who likes & comments & especially the sweet messages of encouragement 😘.
Who out there is getting SERIOUS about their teach in Korea application✍🏽👩🏾‍💻? When you have a dream, you have to break it down into goals and get organized . In 2013 I made the decision to move to South Korea to teach English through the TaLK program. After that I made the decision to move to Seoul and landed a great job teaching at Seoul English Village. During my second year at the village management changed and work life became a mini horror story, so then I got back on my job search grind. I then took a position at a Uiwang Global English Center. . . . Landing each position brought its own set of trials-visas, essays, mock lessons, interviews, and the job search itself! . . The point I want to make is that you must be 100% committed and dedicated to moving, teaching and finding the right job for you. And yes, it can be a lot! However for me, and many others the time put into the search, application and preparation are worth SO worth it! . If you are mid job search or application, here’s a firm “ Fighting!!!” from me to you ✊🏽✊🏽! . . If you are on your journey or just beginning and want some advice and help mapping out a plan, click the link in bio and schedule an Exploration Call with me☎️. You don’t have to do this alone 💕.