I Left America…

I’m running away to South Korea… and I didn’t tell anyone. 

Currently as I’m writing, I’m on a plane somewhere over the Pacific on my way to Asia. Something that should be terrifying, or at least daunting, since I’m moving abroad by myself, but at this moment it’s neither. I am and am not ready for this new change… a season where I am purposefully putting myself in a life full of unknowns and uncertainties on a daily basis. Why? 

Let me backup a bit. Earlier this year I “secretly” applied for a job abroad. And by secretly, I mean I had talked about the job offhandedly, but never said I was actually applying. I’m still not sure my family was really ready for that haha. In March of this year, I applied for a job abroad and only told three people, two of whom are living abroad, and news wouldn’t spread amongst my circle (which as soon as I said I applied the announcement spread like wildfire, so this was probably wise).

My main reason for not telling anyone I applied for this job at first was I wasn’t sure if I had a shot. I sent an application to the English Program In Korea (EPIK), which was highly competitive and a long, drawn out process with no instant guarantees. This intake was no exception. While there are always thousands of applicants, due to Covid delaying things last year, there were even more people applying for the fall term. It was probably a month before I told my parents because I wasn’t even sure if I’d get an interview, and I didn’t want to have to explain to everyone if it didn’t end up working out (and save myself from some embarrassment). 

My process went a bit like this:

(mid) March: Applied for the job

(end) April: I got an interview.

(end) June: I found out I got a placement and the province I was moving to.

(early) July: I get my contract.

(end) July: I get my visa.

(early) August: I am flying to South Korea. 

Not stressful whatsoever (it totally was)….I could go off on all the details of figuring it all out, but won’t just now. Suffice to say, there was a lot of waiting and praying as each step continued to point in this direction.

Honestly, I was okay with the delayed period of waiting. I was in a space where it wasn’t important if I got the job or not, I had back up plans, and I had time. Which was a relief after being in such a “go go go” mindset for so long. I wasn’t sure what would happen after college, especially with Covid. I didn’t want to let things become stale, though, and at least attempt to go after what I’ve wanted to do, but even knowing which of those interests to pursue first was a struggle. There was so much, and I was overwhelmed. The world seemed so large and opportunities endless… if you could make the connections. 

I didn’t really want to apply for jobs pursuing my career right away, as I knew I needed a bit of a break before transitioning straight into that realm and building experience. I also wanted to go abroad for a time, so I kept looking. With the wide variety of opportunities, EPIK was the one that everything seemed to make the most sense. I had come across the program a couple years ago, and while it wasn’t what I would ever have seen myself doing, here I am, days from actually beginning. I’m both thrilled and nervous for this opportunity, but I think it’s the right step for now. It’s certainly a leap of faith (across an entire ocean). I’m excited to embark on this journey and share about my experiences and thoughts. So follow along as I explore both my new home and new life.