It’s been a while since I’ve updated here so I will attempt to briefly go over all of the things that have been happening over the weeks. In the last post that I’ve written, I’ve briefly explained my first impressions as someone who was in charge of a class-room. My perspectives have changed a bit over time. Apart from my classroom experience, there are other trips that have been made.
I have explored the downtown region of Daegu, last weekend I have visited Busan and I have also hiked all the way up Palgongsan mountain in Daegu (Pictured).
Despite all of these amazing experiences and getting to meet many new people whom I now consider my friends, I’ve also had the pleasure of knowing that my contributions have made an impact.
One thing that I like is my given “Korean” name (it’s actually chinese but many Koreans use chinese names). As the students had, for the most part, chosen english names for these classes, one of my students from my first class told me that she took a few days searching for the correct names to describe me while also sounding somewhat like my real name. I was given the name “Lee Chan Woo”. Lee sounds like the beginning of my name, Chan means bright and Woo means excellence.
The picture posted above was taken thursday of last week after I went with my class to play at a local billiards place. Afterwards I had eaten pig feet for the first time. It was really tasty.
A lot more things have happened since. For instance, I’ve gotten assigned a new classroom this week and am working with students who are not as advanced as my first class. I have found ways that are useful in encouraging them to speak correctly.
I’m having an amazing time here. I feel that I’ve grown as I have allowed myself to come out of my comfort zone and have a lot of fun with this program.
–Richard Tardibuono
THE GLOBAL EXPERIENCE BLOG 