Connected

I lost my job.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Allow me to provide a little background.
When one moves to Korea to teach English, one is required to go through a somewhat lengthy process to attain a visa before leaving America. This visa is sponsored by one’s employer, in this case, the school. Also, most schools provide housing for their foreign teachers.
So, two weeks ago, I got to work and was informed that my school (7’s English Academy) had been bought out and would be closing its doors the following day. Which meant I was losing my job, visa sponsor, and apartment all in one day. And after having been in this country exactly two weeks. Have I mentioned I don’t speak the language? Well, now I don’t want to exaggerate. I can say “hello” “goodbye” “thank you” “I’m sorry” and “meat”. I say “kogi” (Korean for meat), make what I imagine to be an expression of mixed terror and disgust, shake my head and then smile sweetly. Sometimes I get blank stares.
But, I digress. The point is I was homeless, jobless, visa-sponsorless and across the world from people sensible enough to use English to communicate and not to add pork and/or beef to everything. (and I do mean everything)

Lucky for me, I immediately began getting rescued right and left. There is a network of expatriates, recruiters, and Korean haegwon employees here that is not unlike the mafia. Really. I kept turning around to find someone shrugging and saying “Ehh, I know a guy.”
By the end of that week, I found my biggest problem to be choosing between five job offers. Good ones.
I chose last week and signed a contract with my new school on Thursday. I start this Monday at Eby’s Talking Club. I’m staying in my current apartment until the middle of November then moving to my new place. Eby’s is not only in the same building as 7’s, it’s on the same floor and down the hall.

This shift is, I believe, a good one. For a couple reasons. I made some friends at 7’s, with whom I plan to remain in contact and I taught some great kids. But it didn’t really feel like a good fit. At Eby’s I already feel more at home than I did at 7’s.
There’s also nothing like being without a job in a foreign country to shake cobwebs from the ole noodle. (sorry for the mixed metaphor. I hope you're not eating) I was approaching my new life in Korea in typical Sarah fashion: “What does it all mean? Who am I now? Oh, look at the way the light is hitting that tree. Now, that girl is wearing some fabulous boots.” I guess I’m trying to say I feel a little more focused. A little more connected to the ground, now that I’m on the other side of such a sobering adventure. Which also means I’m feeling more like myself. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.

Incidentally, if you’re thinking of moving to Korea, gimme a call. Cuz, uh, I know a guy.