Annyonghaseyo

I'm here. After months of filling in application papers, interviews and anxious waiting, I am FINALLY here in Korea. This place is amazing. After arriving at Incheon International Airport two days ago, we, half the batch of this year's EPIK GETs (English Program in Korea Guest English Teachers) were taken by busloads to our orientation location here at Eulji University in Seongnam, about 1.5 hours away. It was -2 degrees the first night, but dorm rooms are well heated and internet access is easy and super fast! EPIK also gave us a welcome pack on arrival which was soooo nice of them, including books, a hoodie and dinner. I cannot believe that they also individually gift-wrapped a towel and alarm clock each for us (about 400 I'm estimating) as gifts. They are wonderful staff and we are being really well taken care of.

Settling in the last couple of days, I've met lots of great people, including many also going to Gangwon Province with me. It's pretty easy making friends here, because everyone is in the same situation, have similar goals and most are from similar walks of life. For example, I went out last night and had a few beers with a couple of good blokes, Joe from New Zealand, and Ben from Georgia, USA and found we had much in common and much to talk about even though we'd only met earlier that day. I've met a few Aussies, but it's especially great to meet people from all over the world: US, Canada, South Africa, UK, NZ. It's exciting, and I'm loving this little foreigner community we're in. I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts, as we all have no idea where we'll be placed in a week's time. Who knows, maybe this will be the last time we'll meet any native English speakers for a year!

The days here have been pretty relaxed, lots of free time to explore the city and to chill out in the dorm rooms. This morning we had out medical check-ups to determine whether we can stay to work in this country. It was surprising fun for me, taking blood tests, eye tests, X-rays, and waiting in line holding cups of our own urine! I'm not worried about the results, but it was also amusing to talk to people who were scared about the blood test after smoking weed last month! 'When was the last time you did it?' Haha. Many seemed to be experts on how long it takes for marijuana to get out of your system.

The rest of orientation should be equally as great as it's been so far. And I'm looking forward to meeting my POE (Provincial Office of Education) manager next week to see which school I'll be at. As for now, it's time for more mingling, kimchi meals, soju and making awkward conversation with non-English speaking 7-Eleven clerks while buying phonecards.