First impressions

I hope I am not too early when I say I really like my school. After hearing some horror stories and reading some online, I think I lucked out with a very quaint school who treats me very well. Being one of only two native English teachers here, it is easy to feel left out, but all the staff members are absolutely phenomenal. My wellbeing is asked about often, even by the principle, vp, and chair, who personally check in on me and make sure I have all I need at school, at home, and that I am happy and adjusting well.

My students are a thrill. Because I am in the countryside, I think the students are less tainted by media, by stereotypes, and by other superficial flaws that middle school students may experience. They bow their heads to greet me when I walk by, and during my first week here, I was the new celebrity. Kids came running into the teacher's lounge shrieking in delight, screaming out whatever English phrases they have memorized, and then going to get their friends and doing the same thing. In fact, the first week of classes, I had students stand outside the window that faces across from my cubicle. I look up and see a throng of kids looking and waving and smiling. When I waved back, they screamed with joy. LOL.

I have noticed a lot of mirrors in the school though. I think appearance has a high priority here. The students and teachers are never overdone, but mirrors are in hallways, bathrooms, and every classroom. I was told that the English teacher before me, the one I am replacing, looked exactly like Obama. He was tall, dark, handsome and had big arms. Because of this, the students all really liked him and clung to him. I also found mirrors in subways and full length ones in public bathrooms. Maybe that is why cosmetic plastic surgery is so big here.

Also, every class Ive been to has asked the following three questions: do you have a boyfriend, how old are you, and describe your boyfriend? It is funny because everyone knows about Igor now. "What does he look like? tall? hair? eyes?" I had one of my grade 7 students ask me today "what kind of guys do you like?" It is so cute.
The Korean co-teacher said questions like that are rude in Canada, but in Korea it is very common for people to ask those questions when first meeting someone.