When Lindsey submitted her essay, I knew I wanted to feature her story first. She’s a beautiful girl with a wonderful heart. Her stories of social work with children from other countries were extremely moving and I’m excited to share them. Lindsey is one of those teachers over 30 who is extremely motivated, bright, and…
Author: Jacksonville Rising
Sometimes, all I can do is fall forward.
How to Become A Licensed Teacher in Korea: TeacherReady
For a few grand, some online work, and few months student teaching, I was able to translate my four years of teaching ESL in Korea into a teaching career that could take me anywhere in the world. What Am I Doing With My Life? So, you decided to come to Korea for a year. Maybe your…
KPop’s Lessons for The Western Music Industry
The Rise of an unlikely Kpop Fan I am one of KPop’s more unlikely fans. In the past my musical preferences cycled through heavy metal and grunge as an angst-y teen, classic rock during the hazy college years, and eventually found a comfort zone with alternative/indie rock mostly originating from the US and Europe. I…
10 Reasons Why Hiking in Korea Differs from the Rest of the World
Why Everyone Should Hike at Least Once in Korea I spent the first 25 years of my life in midwestern American states that were expansive, flat, and virtually devoid of any scenic value. As I turned 25, I got the opportunity to move to the significantly more interesting state of California – specifically if…
A Beginner’s Guide to Korean Politics
What are the Political Issues in South Korea? When living in the US I tried to mostly stay out of political discussions. This avoidance was not because I am devoid of political views, but more because I have found these arguments to be an unproductive recounting of points and counterpoints that have been thrown out…
The Foreigners are Melting: Why Koreans Sweat Less and Smell Better
It’s Summer in Korea: Am I the Only One Withering? Over the past two summers, my brain bank has been accumulating what I believe is mounting evidence pointing towards the fact that Koreans do not perspire to any meaningful degree. Under scrutiny I would have to admit that virtually all of this evidence is purely…
What is an Average Day Like for an English Teacher in Korea?
A Day in the Life of an English Teacher in Korea Have you ever wondered what life is like for someone who travels overseas and teaches English in Korea? I compiled a few YouTube videos that help answer this question. If you are already in Korea like most of our audience, it’s still fun to watch these…
Guidelines for Non-Teaching Jobs in Korea
Advice and Lessons for Non-Teachers Coming to Korea Although it often seems that the only foreigners you meet in Korea are either teaching English or are in the military, it should be noted that there are a few alternative routes to the land of the morning calm. I find myself in Seoul as a result…
These Beautiful Photographs of Korea Will Make You Gasp
An Honest Photo Collection of Korea The following are, in my opinion, some of the most beautiful photographs of Korea captured in the last five years. Scott Rotzoll, a former expat, spent a few years in South Korea honing his technique and composition. He left us with his under-appreciated yet stunning vision of South Korea. His collection portrays South…
10 American Misconceptions about South Korea
The American Misconceptions from Back Home After returning home from teaching in Korea for four years, I’ve fielded a few questions from friends and family. I appreciate the honest questions and curiosity. Unfortunately, this has not been my common experience when out mingling or in the workplace. Once people learned I lived overseas, they were typically more interested in informing…
