Children fly paper airplanes to bless the peace of the Korean Peninsula on the occasion of the return of Han Sang-ryol, a South Korean priest who was visiting North Korea. Teaching children in in South Korea can be an extremely rewarding experience. (REUTERS/Jo Yong-Hak)

SOUTH KOREA -- Teaching in South Korea can be an extremely rewarding experience.

While I never saw myself following in my mother's footsteps when I graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in June 2007, just in time for the recession, I had a major decision to make. Either I work at a job that would leave me feeling mentally frustrated and horrible that I had wasted my parents' money on a degree that I wouldn't be using, or I pack my bags and head out into the world where I could put my global studies degree to decent use.

Lucky for me I got a wonderful e-mail from a couple of Canadians looking to fill a vacant spot at their English academy in Daegu, South Korea. I knew as much about Korea as I knew about quantum physics ... virtually nothing! Korea was the backdrop of M*A*S*H, that tiny country jutting out of China's east coast and was the free-Westernized, non-paranoid, sane relative of North Korea.

Shortly after contacting the director, I had a telephone interview and then waited about a week before my inbox proclaimed the good news that I'd been hired. The bad news was that there was a new immigration system and no one seemed to know what was needed.

Being a guinea pig for this new system was one of the most stressful things I've ever been involved with. I took five trips to the Korean Consulate in Toronto only to be turned away for not having the proper document or signature that the immigration offices in Korea didn't seem to require or know about. The final two trips were for my interview which consisted of a very tired man asking me pointless questions for two minutes, and finally to pick up my passport with the E2 teaching visa secured inside.

Three years later I still work at the same private English academy teaching kindergarten in the morning and elementary school students in the afternoon. My day starts at 10 a.m. and finishes at 5:10 p.m. I teach 40-minute classes with 10-minute breaks between each and have a 50 -minute lunch with a couple of free periods throughout the day. Some teachers may have more intense days and others have far less intense days. Those who work in public schools usually have easier days, although they are often the only foreign teacher at their school. (There is a lot to be said about camaraderie with others who speak your language.) Private academy teachers usually work day shifts like me or afternoon shifts from 4-10 p.m. Salaries vary, but the starting amount is generally 2,100,000 won (about $1,900) per month with return airfare, rent, 50% of medical insurance paid and two weeks paid vacation.

While two weeks of vacation doesn't seem like enough time to get much travelling in, people here manage to do well by taking advantage of long weekends. I have been to Beijing, Tokyo, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong, home to Vineland for a surprise Christmas visit and of course all over Korea. Those with a master's degree can get a university job where the hours are few and vacations are plenty!

Korea is an interesting country. It's very modern with excellent technology and an amazing public transportation system, yet holds tightly onto its traditions.

While there are times I shake my head at certain things Koreans do (like hit themselves repeatedly to lose weight), the differences and quirks make life interesting! If you like spicy food, strong flavours, meat and fish, then you'll have no problem finding tasty dishes to satisfy you at every meal. The people are warm and very excited to meet you for the most part. I'm practically a celebrity in my neighbourhood. Being "unique" because of your race is still very odd to me and I find myself wanting to shout, "Why are you staring at me?" at least once a day.

In the end though, despite a few bad days, I have an amazing life full of amazing travel opportunities, friends from around the world and a great job. There is nothing quite like getting a group of children with no knowledge of the English language and watching them go from struggling to learn the ABCs to reading a book and knowing that you had a major hand in that.

If you want to live and work abroad and have the ability to embrace a new culture (and lack of shoes in your size), then Korea may be the place for you.

To teach in Korea you must have a university degree or college diploma and be a native English speaker.

Megan Preece of Vineland, Ont. has been living and teaching in South Korea for almost three years. Contact her at mpreece7@gmail.com