Day 5

Everyday I wake up, it still hasn't quite hit me that I'm in Korea. It's probably because I am surrounded by approximately 600 or so other Native English Teachers who have been invited by the Government to participate in this program. For 9 days, we have been lucky enough to be staying in Jeon-Ju University. The dorm is actually named "the place for superstars".

The schedule is pretty hectic, with training classes from 9- 5:30. This orientation week has me feeling some ten years younger. It's seriously like frosh week. Clutches of groups, rooming, eating, drinking and partying together.

I never actually had the opportunity to live in rez in University- but have been lucky enough to share in the experience before me.

Curfew is at 1:00 am, and while hitting the city one night with a few new friends, we arrived at the building's front door in the nick of time. Bombarded by bodies before us, guzzling down the last remnants of their beers and soju- I observed what it must have been like to be at an all American frat party. I've never seen a breeding ground like it. The men had only one thing on their minds.

Funny thing is, Koreans are conservative and it is not acceptable to have males and females share sleeping quarters, unless they are married or in a "couple". The guys had been blocked on pursuing their intentions from the Government itself.

As we've reached the fifth day, I realize of course that this frosh week is completely the opposite of what lies ahead in just a few days. I gather that when they drop me off at my new apartment and I'm the only native English speaker for a few miles- the reality will strike.

Until then, I'll practice my Korean, enjoy the time with my new found friends and just go with the flow.