Year 2 Wish List

Last Friday was the 1-year anniversary of when I first arrived in Korea.  I came in only committed to stay one year.  I told myself that after the first year, I would re-evaluate and decide whether to stay longer or to leave.  Last week, I officially extended my visa and current contract by 2 months, and am currently in the process of applying for public school positions starting next March for another year. 

Wanting to stay longer means I obviously like it here.  Are there things that I don’t like about Korea?  Sure.  But they are small things that are inconsequential in the long run.  There has been nothing so far that has made me want to pack up and leave.

I've written about this before, so I won’t spend much time restating it, but the job is the best thing about being here.  The only reason I want to switch to public schools is because I would receive a significant increase in pay and vacation time.  If my current job was able to match the pay and vacation, I would not hesitate to sign away another year of my life with my director. 

The other reason I want to stay is that I do not feel that I am done experiencing Korea.  Looking back, I did not do as much during my first year as I had hoped to do.  I will place part of the blame on my limited vacation time among other reasons.  Up until this point, I only received a three-day vacation in August which fell on a Tuesday-Thursday.  Also, it seemed that all of the national holidays this year fell on a Wednesday.  Another 15 months with increased vacation time should allow me to cross off more of my “Korea To-Do List.” 

My Year 2 Wish List (in order of desire)

1. Visit Seoul 

2.  Hike Jirisan and Seoraksan (mountains)

3.  Take the DMZ tour

4.  Visit Jeju Island

5.  Attend at least 3 cultural festivals (including Cherry Blossom festival and Lantern festival)

6.  Visit a traditional folk village

7.  Do a Temple Stay

8.  Eat bosintang