In Our Own Little Bubble..

As a colleague said to me last night, "We are in our own little bubble." We are served meals three times a day in the cafeteria here at Jeonju University in Jeonju, South Korea, while we attend our orientation for 2014 EPIK March intake.

We typically have four lectures a day and Korean lessons at night.

• 7:30a-8:45a, Breakfast
• 9:00a-10:20a, Lecture 1
• 10:30-11:50a, Lecture 2
• Lunch
• 2:00p-3:20p, Lecture 3
• 3:30p-4:50p, Lecture 4
• 5:00p-6:25p, Dinner
• 7:30p-8:15p, Korean lessons

The nights have been ours to do what we want with and most have walked a few blocks to the bar and/or noribang (singing room). We share rooms with a native English speaker who could be any of the following: American, Canadian, Irish, English, South African, Australian, or New Zealander. Everything has been organized for us. In a few days, all of that will go by the wayside.

In a couple days, we will be shipped out of here and be placed in a city or town we have never seen, in a town we don't know with a language we can't or barely speak. Yes, it was our choice to do this and I'm sure just about every single one of us is anxious about it, and most importantly, wouldn't do over.

Arguably the most discussed concern has been that of the Korean co-teacher who will, or at least is supposed to be, teaching our English classes with us. They will be our personal chauffeur around town and our main resource. Again, at least they are "supposed" to be and we desperately want them to be.

Internet will be a priority for us all when we arrive and getting connected is a big deal. I will definitely be back to let you know how my exploits are faring here. I need to head to breakfast for some rice, kim-chi, and some other stuff.