EPIK Orientation

EPIK stands for English Program in Korea*

After 3 months of being in Korea I finally got my EPIK orientation. I went to Seoul in order to attend the orientation with 169 other teachers from 7 different countries. I was looking forward to this event because I wanted to meet new teachers, to start networking, and of course making new friends. The experience was wonderful and the cultural events planned for us was fabulous. For 6 days and 5 nights we were living together in a dormitory where there was a curfew at midnight when the doors will be locked. I had a roommate but he was great.



The only negative comment I can give about the orientation is the variety in the meals. For someone who is allergic to red meat, the cafeteria made sure it was mostly beef or pork. Luckily there was a Subway close by and other restaurants too. Anyways, I was able to gain valuable experience from the presenters and the field trip we went on. I am going to post the pictures instead of me talking about it because it was quite spectacular.


I didn't get a chance to check out the city like I wanted to because of the curfew and the fact that most of the lectures, classes and group work finished well after 8:30pm. Oh well, Seoul is only 2 and half hours away by KTX. There will always be another time. On the way back from Seoul, the teachers from Busan had accommodations. EPIK provided a bus for the new Busan teachers and the teachers who have been in Busan for awhile (like me for example). It was a great bus ride considering it was free and I got to mingle with new teachers who I will probably see often in Busan.
Overall, the EPIK Orientation was a success in my opinion and the only recommendations I would give is, "have more Korean cultural events!"