I haven’t been able to write a lot lately because 1. I have been busier than I ever imagined and 2. because I will be leaving back to America in 6 short weeks. Truthfully I haven’t felt like writing because I can’t put into words exactly what Korea means to me. Part of me wants to write page after page about every single thing I’ve learned in this country. The HUGE cultural differences. The amazing food. My students. Dating in Korea. Differences in relationships and marriages in Korea. My Korean friends and teachers and everyday life here. I want to share it all. But another part of me just hasn’t been able to. Truthfully I don’t even know where I’d start. My Korean friends joke I am part Korean now and they are right in many ways. I have learned this culture as much as I have been able to as a foreigner. And part of me feels like it’s a special thing to come here and learn all these things for yourself and to forever have those memories. I’ve come to realize that even when I begin to tell friends or family back home about stories it’s hard to really express how much I’ve learned here. How much I’ve changed for the better. I am a more patient person than I ever imagined. I am more confident in myself. I am stronger and more secure in who I am. I am confident in what I am passionate about. I am confident in the type of man I’d like to marry after many years of dating and living my fun single life. I am more open to new differences and experiences. I’m not nervous to go into a room of strangers because I know I will hold my head high and present myself as best as I can…even if they all can’t speak my language. I am proud of myself in many ways. I am proud of the teacher I have become and proud of little things like the fact that I can speak, read and write Korean which I never even imagined I’d be able to! I am proud at the food I’ve tried and come to love. I love the fashion here and love my new wardrobe. There are so many things.

Sometimes I think I should be writing more but for right now I am just enjoying the everyday life here. I’m enjoying my last two weeks of teaching before my final English camp starts and trying to accept all the emotions that are coming with it. It’s not easy at all but I am truly excited to be home again with my family and friends. I’m excited to start a new chapter in my life and start graduate school and become an official teacher in the US. I’m excited to continue to work with children. I’m excited to be home for holidays and spend time with my niece and nephew, parents, siblings and close friends. I think there will be a time where I can reflect on everything I have learned and write it down all on paper. But for now I am just enjoying my remaining time here and learning as I go. I will continue to write blog posts but wanted to write a quick update on how I’m feeling at this moment. I’m not blinking an eye and I’ll leave this country knowing I did everything I wanted to do and I will leave with no regrets. This country has been a beautiful home for the last two years and I know I will leave here with the most magical memories.

Love from Korea,

Caroline