I'm moving to Seoul!!!

Last year I went to China for my AP World Institute and had such an amazing time- I really didn't know what to expect going to Asia.. but I fell in love and wanted more. It's such a different world... but I won't continue on that track- I have the China blog for that. :)

 So..   I learned about international teaching from a few teachers that were at the institute and really wanted to be a part of it.. I've been wanting to move internationally for years and I had tried all avenues I thought possible. This was going to be my last ditch effort. So this school year I focused on getting my international teaching stuff in order. I registered with an international teaching recruiter called Search Associates and honestly thought nothing would come from it. They sent me an invitation to one of their job fairs and once I looked at the amount of money I was going to have to dish out- I almost reconsidered and stayed right where I was.. but- the Lord told me to go ahead, suck it up, pay the dough, and go! So, I went to San Francisco- I had an exhilarating experience but didn't relax the whole time... 6 interviews and 4 interested school directors later- I accepted a job at Seoul Foreign School in Seoul, South Korea!!! It was such a nauseating experience- making such a life-altering decision like "What country should I move to?!" and "What job do I want to be in for the next few years?" After much thought and talking with the Search Associates guys- they said I would be INSANE to reject Shirley (the director) from Seoul Foreign School (SFS) b.c. it was pretty much the best school in all of Korea and one of the top 5 schools in all of Asia!! So- I accepted!! She said "pack your warm clothes and swimsuits!" 

So- I'm getting out of teaching History (for awhile) and into teaching swimming full-time! I never thought I would land a job like that- esp. internationally! yowza. I mean- teaching kids how to swim is how I spent my summers in high school and college and I LOVED it but never thought it even existed as a full-time job!! (Sooo excited :) )

I came home from the fair and woke up every morning reminding myself that I was moving to Korea in just a few months. It never sank in. 

Now that school is almost over- I have 5 days left at Stanton! Egads!- the realization is starting to sink in..sorta. I have my winter clothes in one box to take, I'm starting to sell my belongings, and waiting for my work visa issuance number to come in so I can go to the Korean Embassy to get my work visa. (that's an annoyingly complicated and time- consuming process that I won't even begin to discuss. :) )

I have 2 months left to live in the US and it's weird. 

Maybe I'll realize what's really going on when I'm there?!? Most likely... 

It's just insanely surreal... 

Well- this is my little intro- so just keep checking in for Korea-preparations and updates. I'm looking forward to the experience and sharing it with you! 
--
Check out my Team-in-Training page:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nfl/miatri09/aimeewilson
PLEASE DONATE TO A WORTHY CAUSE!!!