First off, thank you to so many of you for supporting me and being proud of me in this endeavor.  Unfortunately, it has been cut short.  I will most likely be heading back to the states in a couple of days. 

It's not culture shock.  I wish it were, because I could deal with that.  It's not though.

The problem is the school. I came here thinking my schedule would be from 2-9 with 10-15 breaks in between each class and an hour break somewhere in there (So six classes a day.) Instead, I've come to have a schedule of 11-12, and 2-6, 7? I'm not sure anymore. It keeps changing. I'm given work books to make lesson plans from, expecting to know how to do EVERYTHING.

Example: Today, I had my adult class. There is no curriculum or text book for this class. I had NO clue what to do. If I was teaching history, sure, I could do it. That lasted from 11-12. I am also not supposed to teach adults, or that's what I understood, since the name of the school is Child U.

I was told to come back at 2. NO ONE was at the school for over 30 minutes. When they did, I got thrust into teaching first, beginners, then advanced, then intermediates. Sounds great and easy, right? No. I got no breaks in between classes. I swear my throat is raw and bleeding right about now. Me and the director (also the other teacher) switch off for thirty minutes with each class, except for the intermediate, which I am "supposedly" supposed to teach for an hour.

Also, even though my contract specifically states I am there to teach the English language, I am expected to teach math, science, and social studies. Okay, I don't mind teaching social studies, but math and science? I can barely do basic math with a calculator. I can't teach that stuff.
The curriculum is horrible for the English. My students noticed three errors within the first FIVE pages of their books. I'm not really sure how I'm going to do this when I have to spend half as much time correcting the books so my students don't get confused.

My director? At first I thought she was great, until I started hearing things like,"She ate this much pizza!" or "She got lost late at night with Dave, I wonder what they were doing." Also, if I go anywhere other than the school, I get the whole,"Where are you going, why are you going there, who are you going with, and when will you be back?"

This weekend was Chuseok. I swear UP and DOWN that she first said I'd go with her in the afternoon, then at 4 AM in the morning, and then that she said I had the afternoon free. I KNOW she said I had the afternoon free. Apparently she didn't mean it because she came by my apartment at 5 and I wasn't here. What happened because of this? I got a new not a very nice person ripped in front of my students.

So, I am sorry for those that I am disappointing by leaving/giving up, but I can't deal with this and stay sane.

So Sorry Sarah Elizabeth your dream adventure turned into a bit of a nightmare, but hey, these things happen.

I think most importantly that you must not let this misadventure put you off from availing of other teaching opportunities in different Countries. It wasn't meant to be and your dream adventure is still out there waiting on you...




Lefty..!

Sarah - The only one who'll be disappointed is the director - because you didn't fall for the old bait and switch. What you are doing is realizing that to stay and fulfill the terms of a faulty contract would be a waste of time and trip down insanity road.

Come home, regroup, shake it off, and start again. We're behind you.

Bill

Sarah  - there is no shame in getting the heck out of that place.  Much the same thing happened to my niece, but in Australia.

I know you had such high hopes but you've give this your best shot and now it's time to come home and re-group.

Hang in there kiddo.
Carol

Fuck em.  It's their loss.

        Potter

You've got the right attitude, girl.

And don't for a second think that because "they violated the bloody contract, so am I." They violated the contract - that makes it null and void from the point they violated it. Therefore you no longer have a contract to violate. Don't miss the distinction.

deltadarlin wrote on Oct 7^th, 2009 at 8:29am:

I have a boss like that, too. They are rare. God love 'em.

Hey Sara,
Just read this...talk about bait & switch!  I'm sorry that you're in this situation, but you should NOT feel like a failure my dear, these people clearly knew what they were doing and don't appear to have the resources for a program like the one they sold you on.

Just know this - whether it's abroad, or here in the States, things like this happen, and when they do, you do what you are doing - MOVE ON!  It's one thing to adapt, and another completely to be taken advantage of and be left with no resources.

I'll be giving your mom a call soon - in the meantime, keep your stance firm, you will be home in no time.  You have something out there better and bigger waiting for you, I'm sure.

Pepp 

Ticket is bought, she has the information now.  She will be home tomorrow night about 8:30.  She flies out of Seoul to LA, arrives in LA 9:50 am, leaves there at 12:35, flies to Houston, has a short layover there and then will be home.

Again, I can't thank-you enough for the support you have shown Sarah (and me).  Keep your fingers crossed!

Carolyn

I'm so sorry, Sweetie.  I know you must be terribly disappointed.  What was to be a grand adventure for you has turned out to be a total nightmare.

Keep your chin up, Sarah, and know we love you.

Jackie

I think I'm going to take a nap.  I've had enough excitement for one day.  Let's keep the *power of positive* going and get her back on US soil.

deltadarlin wrote on Oct 7^th, 2009 at 2:13pm:

Based on the flight time and a little bit of 'cipherin' on my part, I think that would mean she leaves just after midnight tonight, CDT. Prayers up for safe journey.

I am so sorry this didn't work out. I can't add much else that hasn't been said, just to let you know another person is praying for a safe return.

Charlotte