Author: Phillip N. Patrick
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Small Wins, Big Feelings
Since my last blog entry, there’s been more bonding among the foreign teachers. We’ve had a few dinners and even spent some time grabbing drinks at the bar. At school, I’ve become more comfortable with the routine and more confident in the classroom. I finally understand the schedule, and I have a better grasp of…
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Settling In, One “Ah-choo” at a Time
Life in Korea just got a lot easier—thanks to my Alien Registration Card (ARC). With my official ID in hand, I’ve opened a Korean bank account, gotten a SIM card, and finally escaped the tyranny of international transaction fees. I can also use Korean apps now—ordering taxis, shopping on Coupang (Korea’s Amazon), and generally functioning…
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The Week My Voice Quit Teaching
This past week at school felt a little less chaotic. I’m finally starting to get the hang of my schedule, my students, and my coworkers. Things are starting to feel slightly more normal—which of course means something else had to go wrong. Unfortunately, I came down with another cold. On Tuesday, I started losing my…
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My First Week Teaching Kindergarten in Korea: Chaos, Confusion, and “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”
No one tells you what the first week of teaching kindergarten ESL abroad is really like. It involves confusion, tiny humans, unexpected hugs, and doing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” more times than should be medically advisable. To say this week has been overwhelming would be an understatement. Imagine this: And while all of this…
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Yellow Dust, Medical Exams, and Triceratops Chopsticks
Week one in Korea tried to take me out. On the exact weekend I arrived, there was a yellow dust alert. Yellow dust blows in from deserts in China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan—basically a long-distance allergy attack. Naturally, I found this out while power-walking around the city like an overconfident tourist. By Wednesday, my cough and…
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Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Change: My 2025 Story
On September 17, 2025, I attended an Oxford Seminars session about their TEFL course, which I began on October 3. The course included six days of Zoom classes followed by 60 hours of online study. I completed the course on November 7 and secured a teaching job with Maple Bear in South Korea, starting in…
Phillip N. Patrick 