Wow. I don't even know where to start...
Usually I have a good jumping off point (at least, I feel like I do...), but today...I'm truly lost in what to say.
Let's start with some facts.
1- Week 6 is the final week of my Orientation period. That's right friends and family, I have been here for 6 weeks, and my Orientation is officially up.
2- I have completed 110 hours of Korean Language Instruction at Yonsei University at the Songdo Campus. Still need to work on it though...
3- I taught in two separate English classes at an English Summer Camp (FEP). Which had been nerve-wracking at first, but has made me more confident as a teacher in the long run~!
4- I was at the US Embassy in Seoul where I met the Ambassador. Was not expecting that...
5- Vacationed in Sokcho for a weekend. Will definitely be going again!
6- Had a fantastic roommate for the whole Orientation period. Truly. Thanks again, Kaby! These last six weeks would've been a different kind of adventure if it weren't for you.
7- ...
You know what? I think I'm going to stop this list here. Because at this rate, I'll just keep going with no end in sight...
But, bonus points...I figured out what I wanted to write about!
My cohort.
Looking back, I don't think I've really spoken about them...not really...right?
It's not because they're horrible people. Far from it. It's because I had no idea on how to discuss 80 people in a single post without it being excessively long.
Spoilers: ...I can't.
80 people is way too long to give individual shoutouts. You can trust me on this. We have to count to 80 for attendance. (We spice things up by counting down to 1.) Even something as small as saying a number can be a challenge...apparently.
So unfortunately, I won't be giving individual shoutouts.
Now then...this cohort...the 2018-19 Fulbright Korea cohort...
In a single word?
친구 - Friends
What had once been 79 strangers are now 79 people who I can look to for support, laughter, exasperation, safety, and even irritation. For what is family without someone to be irritating?
This week- no...these six weeks, the 80 of us have gone through so many challenges and have come out better for it in the end. I am proud to be in this cohort, regardless of the passive aggressive memes. I am happy that we had six weeks to orient ourselves in this country as much as we could before going to our placement. In some way or another, each person has inspired me to be better.
Do better.
Even those individuals who I've barely spoken to. Crazy as that may sound, there are some individuals that I've barely spoken to in this cohort. It's not because of avoidance, but just...so much is happening that I'm already at Week 6/heading to my placement before I had the chance to really sit down catch my breath.
Where has the time gone, Fam?
Before I get all emotional and start crying on my laptop, I want to send warm wishes to my cohort! We'll all be in separate corners of this country, some lucky enough to be in the same city- or by ourselves (like me!), but we'll still be connected to each other because of these six weeks.
I know we'll have our good days. And definitely our bad days.
But I want you all to know, you're not alone. You have 79 guaranteed friends that are a group chat away. Share with us the good. The bad. The ugly. The beautiful. Let us laugh with you. Cry with you. Hold you.
You will all be wonderful and talented teachers!
So really, this isn't 79 goodbyes.
It's 80 hellos to new places. New experiences. And new memories!
#SaveOurToya
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