First week in Seoul!

Hey everyone I made it through my first week almost and I am loving every moment of it so far. I have had so many new experiences so far that I don't know where to begin. First of all lets say that they let you drive on the side walks and don't think twice about doing so. There is so much food here that I have not even yet explored any of it because sadly to say I still crave American food but each day I am edging myself towards the Korean food. The weather here is amazing so far and feels like we are getting a touch of spring the last couple days.

Me and my buddy Matt went out the first weekend here and was planning on going out for a couple beers but we met these 2 girls from Canada and a guy that was from Alton Illinois and they took us to a district called Hongdae which is one of the many nightlife areas in Seoul. They said that we would not be going home until around 8 A.M. and I really doubted them but as I look down at my watch and walk out the bar with the sun rising I realized that it was true about the crazy nightlife in Seoul. I would have to say that my night or early morning ended very well and I have met so many people already that are just full of life and are on the same adventure that I am on.

I started my first week of school already and observed for the last 3 days. I will be starting on Tuesday with my own classes and so excited to just get my feet wet. It is so exciting because I can take what I have learned in my Master classes in Education and but towards the classes that I will be teaching. The staff is very nice so far and I am so blown away that the children are so smart and there work ethic is so different from the States. Education is a way of life here and most of these children can carry a fluent conversation with you in English which just blows my mind because when I was that age I did not even think about learning a second language. The days are long but you do have downtime and the structure is a little different then how we run our education system back home.

My living situation is not bad and it is what I expected. It is kinda like being back in college but in a huge ass city. Well so far that's been my first week with a few more things here and there. I should have more stories and I am looking forward to my 3 day weekend because March 2nd is South Korea's Independence Day. Hope all is well and I will be back soon with more of my adventures.

Two More Days!

Wow! Just got into Chicago so I am 1/3 way from arriving to Seoul! It has defiantly been a process and I can't believe it is starting soon. Thanks to all of my family and friends who have supported me and helped me through this adventure that I am about to begin. Mom,Dad,Brian,Jeff,Kirsten and Elizabeth I will miss you guys and I am sorry that I will not be home for the holidays and birthdays but you know that I am always thinking about you guys and I love you. I hope everyone will enjoy and keep up with my journey and many pictures will be coming shortly!!

Teaching English in Seoul, South Korea

Yo! My name is Craig Preston and I will be teaching English in Gwanak-gu Seoul, South Korea for one year, hey you never know maybe 2! I will be trying to update this weekly for my friends and family back in the United States and well who ever else wants to read about it: maybe you are thinking about doing the same thing. I will run into alot in this modern yet very high tech. city that I will be living in for the next year.
Some people think I am crazy for moving across the world but what do I have to lose, I mean really I have not been doing to much the last 3 years but trying to figure out what life is all about and moving from school to more school and trying to get jobs in these tough times that our economy is facing right now. During my stay abroad I will be trying to indulge myself in different cultures, food, music, arts, travel and anything else I can get my hands and eyes on. I leave February 17th and arrive in Incheon on February 18th around 8:00 p.m. with along flight and travel that adds up to be around a day or so. I stay in a hotel for the first 2 weeks and then get to move into my studio apartment. Check back in a couple weeks while my journey will start and hopefully will have some pretty cool things to post and pictures that will be amazing!