How I got here: a brief (relatively speaking) introduction.

So it hit me this morning at about 3am in a panic that in a mere 7 days I will be abandoning the life I know for a career and experience I never imagined before... teaching English in Korea.  When I stop to think about how this exciting adventure that I am about to embark upon was never part of "The Plan", I begin to giggle a bit since at this point in my life I should know better than to plan anything.  Life does not go according to a plan, or if it does it is rarely Plan A or Plan B but more like Plan L or Plan S.  I'm not sure what plan letter or number I'm currently on and at this point I don't think it matters anymore, however it is good to reflect a bit on how I got to this point.

After graduating with a 2nd Bachelor's degree in ecology and evolutionary biology, the plan was that I would work for a year in my field then apply to graduate school to obtain my Master's then eventually my PhD.  Eventually the plan was to become a university professor and conduct research while teaching the next generation.  Initially things seemed to be working out according to that plan.  I was working as a wildlife technician for the US Forest Service, while obtaining grants to conduct independent research on my own, and work on a soil incubation project for a lab at CU.  I was applying to graduate school and chugging right along.  Then everything fell apart.  All my research jobs ended leaving me with no money until the next field season and in this economy finding even a part-time job was proving to be difficult.  I fell behind in my finances and have been playing catch up ever since.  Graduate school responses were coming in and they were all rejections.  Broke and dejected I didn't know what to do.  My best friend and sister, Angie, was looking into teaching English in Korea.  She described to me the fantastic opportunities and experiences along with the amazing compensation package and I was sold!  I always wanted to live in another country and I always eventually wanted to be a teacher, this opportunity seemed perfect.  To top it all off I would get to share this amazing experience with my best friend, what other reason could I possibly need.

And so it began.  I got my documents together and submitted my application in late April.  Once documents were submitted I finally received a positive response from graduate school.  I had finally be accepted to my top choice.  The only problem was that they were not able to offer me a stipend that would cover the basics.  After a long discussion with my future advisor, I decided to continue with the plan to go to Korea.  In Korea I will be able to save enough money that will help offset the financial aid package my school can offer me.  Korea was still not a sure thing and I was a bit concerned since I knew the program in Korea was going to be competitive and I wasn't exactly one of the first people out of the gate... Angie was.  This was the biggest gamble with my future I had ever undertaken and nerves were mounting.  By mid-May I was scheduled and passed my interview at this point the Korea option seemed more certain.  I sent off my documents and then I waited... and waited... and waited to hear where I was going to be placed.  July began and from forums and Facebook groups, people began to post that they received their notifications and contracts.  Where was mine?  Everyday that went by seemed like a week.  Fears about being rejected at the last minute were mounting.  Did I just screw my future up again?  Each time a new post about another batch of contracts and NOA's that went out, I wondered where is mine? where is Angie's? What about us?

Finally on July 18th, I got notice! I received the email from my recruiter.  I am placed in Ulsan, my first choice city.  I hurriedly called Angie, prepared to give her grief that she didn't call me or send me a message regarding her placement.  I called her and found out why - she had not received a similar email. We both chalked it up to the fact that Seoul was her first choice and not many people had heard about Seoul.  It was more competitive and they had more applications to sift through.  I received my contract and mailed off my visa documents.  I've received my visa and booked my flight.  As of this posting I leave in 6 days and 9 hours!  We are still waiting to hear about Angie!  When will she be placed?  Will she just be late to orientation or will she have a late start date altogether?  As my excitement builds, so does her frustration!  This wasn't how it was supposed to go! We are supposed to embark on this adventure together.  Have a friendly face around when we get homesick, have someone to help take photos of the places we'll go, things we'll see, foods we'll eat.  Korea won't be the same without her but I am not losing hope!  It does however continue to create a mind divided - excited for me and anxious and nervous for my friend.