Orientation

Three weeks ago Latanya and I went on an orientation adventure. The GEPIK group, which is the organization that runs all the public schools in our Province, was hosting a teacher orientation. They hold these events once every three months or so. We tried to go to one when we first arrived but unfortunately it was full.
On Tuesday morning of that week we set out for our trip. We went to Guri, (a nearby city) to meet other foreign teachers, to catch our chartered bus. We were warned before we went by some friends that we will meet some real losers on our trip. We just so happened to meet some interesting people, (better way of saying losers) and we also met some really amazing people. The bus ride was not long at all, maybe a little over an hour. We arrived to the center which was nestled in the beautiful hillside full of trees with nothing for miles, with the exception of a small group of buildings down the hill. It looked to be a faculty also used for some sort of military training. They had a giant field of obstacles.
There were about 220 foreign teachers at the orientation and it lasted 4 days and 3 nights. They locked the campus down at 7pm and let's just say it's a good thing they sold beer at the cafeteria, otherwise a lot of people would have been in a frenzy.
The orientation was basically just a lot of informative lectures and group work. We learned what the Korean government expects from us and what we should actually be doing. It was actually very informative. I wish we would have been able to have this orientation when we first got here. I would have understood more clearly, exactly what I was supposed to be doing. We also were given a lot of support and resources, as well as many contacts. Simply just hearing from other experienced teachers helped immensely.
We formed a really close bond with our group. We were of course the most lively bunch. Each group was put together with people that were in one's surrounding area. We actually had met a few of them at a house party the Saturday before, such as Tania and Steven that LT and I just went out with.
At night after each day of lectures and meetings we were all able to let loose and have a good time. It was a foreigner extravaganza. People brought guitars and there was a guy with a sax. Lots of singing and drinking, but nothing too crazy, which was nice. All in all it was nice to take a small break from teaching. We made some good friends that we have already been planning trips with. I am sorry it took so long to get this story on the blog. I guess I have fallen far behind. That's it for now.