In early May, I learned that I had been accepted to participate in the teaching program! I'm fortunate that my family and employer have been supportive of my traveling for this month-long opportunity teaching at a language-immersion summer camp in the Jeollanam-do province.
The past two months have been a whirlwind as I've worked to submit all of the necessary paperwork: visa applications, employment contracts, medical forms, and digging up my B.A. diploma to send to the Korean Embassy for review. I visited the University Health Center for a round of immunizations related to my travels. Since I'll be spending a month in the southern province of Jeollanam-do, which is the most rural of the provinces, it was recommended that I receive vaccines for hepatitis A and typhoid (both of which are (transmitted through food or water), and DPT (diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus). I skipped the vaccines for Japanese encephalitis (pretty rare), malaria (only a threat near or north of the DMZ), rabies, and hepatitis B (since I don't plan to share any bodily fluids). My university health center and the CDC were both really helpful in this area. I've supported the retail economy by shopping online for light-weight, quick-dry clothing, and other travel sundries. I wish I had more time to learn Korean. I guess I'll cram during my 13+ hour flight.
And in addition to my travel preparations, I've been working full time, completing my 90 hour practicum, and squeezing in as much family time as possible. The clock is ticking, today is my last day at work, and I've packed in a short training session, my final practicum hours, and wrapping up everything on my desk.
