Life as a TaLK Scholar

Name: Nikki Nhi Dinh

POE: Gyeongju

Country: United States of America

School Name: Oksan Elementary

Life as a TaLK Scholar

           

My life as a TaLK Scholar is definitely not what I expected. I will now name 3 things that I find unexpected. First, I did not think I would fall in love with teaching. Second, the independence of living on my own is sometimes what I want but sometimes not really. And lastly, I didn’t think I would be able to make any deep connections with anyone here.

            In high school, I was a teacher assistant at my church for Sunday schools. Back in college, I worked at a tutor for a private tutoring company near campus. Now I am teaching English in Korea. Even though the patterns are pretty obvious, I never really considered a career as a teacher. That thought comes up here and there but I would just brush it away. I came to Korea thinking that I should give it a chance and I think I fell in love with teaching; and trust me, it’s not because teaching is easy and fun. I just realized that I simply put so much passion into teaching; even back in high school and college. I am glad that this opportunity through TaLK helped me to see that I should pursue a career in education.

            I did not live at home for college. I was in the dorm for my first 2 years and then lived off-campus my last 2 years. When I decided to go to Korea, I thought it wouldn’t be too bad because I was away from home most of the year anyway. Well, I was wrong; I felt pretty bad being on my own. I never had my own room; at home, I shared my room with my sisters. In college, I always had roommates. Now, I have my own apartment! There’s no one to come home to and the worst thing is cooking for myself. I always have to portion just enough so that I won’t throw way food. I was so used to cooking for other people and sharing food that I was really homesick the first few weeks. The independence here is great; I can do anything I want but sometimes I want to be responsible for something or someone.

            During my freshmen year of college, I was pretty open to meeting new people and making new friends. When I came to Korea, I was 4 years older and felt as if I already established my group of close friends. I didn’t think that I would make any friends here but again I was wrong. I guess the people who become your friends are the people you really don’t have to try to be friends with; they just become your friends. I am glad that I can consider some people here my friends. I am grateful that I can count on them and they can count on me.

At Korea International Circuit; Formula 1

Halloween Masks with 6th Grade