Originally this blog entry was entitled, ‘The Devil You Know’ and I explained my decision to stay in Andong one more year despite different run-ins I’ve had with my boss. But just 2 weeks ago I found out that I will not be renewing my contract with Sky English, and will instead be flying home the 1st of December!
It’s funny the way things work out. I had made my peace with staying in the world’s most boring town for another year when my boss called me to his office after work one night, and more or less told me either I sign a 2 year contract (without a pay raise) or we go our separate ways in a month. Well, I’m no sucker! No way was I going to agree to that ridiculous ‘offer’ so I jumped at the chance to come home!
For the most part, I really love my job. I love the hours, I love the kids, I love that I work with such a diverse range of skills and abilities. The only thing I haven’t been too happy with is my boss. He’s a nice guy, and on a whole, I generally have the final say as to what happens in my classroom. I’m not micro-managed, which I definitely appreciate, and my assessment of students is often taken into account. But there are times when I feel I’m being taken advantage of, even manipulated, and it often involve my pay check, which of course is a sore spot. And then there was my trip to China. My contract states I get 10 days of paid vacation time, but I never did get paid. Mr. Shin told me those 10 days also included Christmas and other holidays so I had already used my vacation time without ever actually having taken a holiday! And since my contract didn’t specify the difference between holiday and vacation time, I figured I would chalk it up to a cultural misunderstanding, as what happens when living abroad, and was determined to rectify this problem in our future contract.
Well, all these things, and then the assertion that I need to sign a 2 year contract without a pay increase, made it really easy to give Mr. Shin my notice and start planning my next adventure! And honestly, even if my pay rate only increased by 100 bones a month, that would have sufficient for me, but he was unwilling to budge, and apparently, neither was I. Plus a 2 year contract, no way, no how! It was hard enough for me to settle on staying of just one more year. From my perspective, I’ve been a model employee. Students and parents like and respect me and in the 13.5 months I’ve worked here, I’ve never taken a day off work (aside from the forced quarantine I went through when I had the Swine flu.) Not one day! I went to work with a horrible sinus infection and refused to adhere to the doctor’s orders of bed rest just so I could reach my goal of working one full year without taking a single day off. And I did it! And then some!
So I’m not feeling particularly loyal to Mr. Shin or Sky English Academy. Which is fine. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned since I’ve been here is how fleeting life is. Nothing is permanent, not even things you can’t conceive would ever change, like race or gender. And so, with that, I am ready for the next chapter!
And what may that be? Well, I’m giving myself one month. I have one month to find gainful employment in the U.S., and if I do, great! I’ll stay stateside for a spell, at least until I figure out my next step is, or what graduate program I fancy, and if I don’t find work, I’m just gonna apply for teaching jobs. Somewhere. Anywhere. Now that I have experience with a wide range of students (3 – 19) I’m confident I can land almost any ESL job. Korea has been invaluable for that! I mentioned in my last blog that one way I’ve grown is by developing professionally, which is so true, and now I’m not financially limited to just Korea. Before, Japan was out of the question because the cost of living was so high, but now it’s a realistic possibility. So yeah, even if I don’t get a job at home, I get to see everyone for the holidays, visit with the friends and family I’ve missed so much, and then take off for another adventure! Seriously, the woes of my life!
And I suppose here is as good a place as any to make my list of demands. And as what so often happens, someone else has said it best. Here is an musician I jut LOVE and ADORE! Her name is Danielle Ate the Sandwich, and she was a rather prolific youtube presence and following. This song is appropriately called, 'Bribes.'
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