My New Home
Homestay VS. Apartment Living
Well I have now entered Ulsan, South Korea, and I am waiting at the airport for the director of my school to arrive. What is running through my head? "Where am I going to live?" This is more important than most will think. A good or a bad home can make or break you. I was tired from the long flight, waiting and nervous. Mr. Lee (who was late by the way, because he got the times mixed up!) finally arrived. We loaded all of my belongings into his car, after introductions, and headed for my new home.
I was told that I would be living in an apartment with a few other teachers, well this wasn't true! Upon venturing to my new home I was told that I would be living with my director. Ok Mr. Lee is the director of Big Inteko Foreign Language Institute, and I work at Little Inteko, so Mr. Lee, come to find out, is my big boss. Mrs. Kim would be my director, and I was to live with her.
We pulled up to this huge house, in a relatively nice neighborhood. A very nice woman came out to greet us, this as I would find out, is Mrs. Kim. I would be moving into the top of her house. First we sat down for something to drink, while they talked in Korean over my head. Mr. Kim then led me up to my room. We walked up this staircase to a rather large room, and it was mine. The room is actually very nice. I have my own kitchen and bathroom, and the room came fully equiped. I had a tv (with cable tv), a microwave, table, chairs, bed and closet space. There was also a small stove, and refridgerator. I was happy, the room was nice and it was better than living at home.
I lived with my boss for over a year and it was a great experience, but there comes a time when no matter what you need your own space. Upon entering into my second year I decided that I needed my own apartment. I discussed this with my boss and she readily agreed. Within a month I moved to a small apartment across the street from my boss. It was once a large house that was split into four apartments, unfortunately mine was the smallest of the four. Yet I was on my own, and I had control over the heat, water, and front door. I still have the basic furniture that I started with and a few things I have had given to me, or I bought at a very small pric
I have slowly come to love my new home. It is better than some, and worse than others. I have one friend who lives in a very small space in her school, but I have another friend who lives in a very spacious two bedroom apartment by himself. Both of these people live by themselves, but this is not always the case. Usually you will be living in an apartment with 2 to 4 other people, who may or may not be teachers, and who may or may not be Korean.
All in all a home is what you make it. I love my place because I have learned to make it my own. If you are venturing to Korea, the best thing you can do is find out where you will be living and with who. If you are able to recieve pictures of your home that will be very helpful, but isn't always available. Most home furnishings are provided for you, but you might want to find out what will be provided. When I first arrived I was given dishes, silverware, a very small pillow and a Korean style covering for my bed (later mom brought me real sheets). These things were provided for me, but every experience is different so check it out.
Life and living is what you make it, so be good to yourself and the people around you, and you will be happy wherever you are.