Meet The International TEFL Academy Staff

 What is your role at international TEFL Academy?

I am an Admissions Advisor. I have the incredible privilege of helping others with their own special journeys abroad.

What's Your Story?

I decided to teach English in South Korea because my parents and siblings are originally from Daegu, South Korea. Out of the four children in my family I was the only one born and raised in Chicago.

I had just finished college and my term at AmeriCorps was about to end, so I decided to apply to teach English in Seoul, South Korea. I wanted to learn more about my parents’ culture and heritage, I was also looking for an adventure. I didn’t know what I was capable of until I was thrown into a foreign country and culture without any friends, family, or much money.

Once I was situated in Daegu, I started to feel a great sense of freedom. I became much more active in this foreign land than in my native Chicago. I ate incredible food, traveled to other countries and cities and made some great friends along the way. T

Teaching English gave me an occupation and purpose while I was diving into a new world. I learned so much about myself during that special year in my life. I found out that I had the ability to adapt and learn much faster than I originally thought. I gained confidence knowing that I could actually make a home for myself in a country that I never thought I would call home. My time in South Korea was a wonderful gift that continues to keep giving to me today.

Where are you from, where did you go to college & what did you major in at college?

I am from Libertyville, Illinois. I attended college at Binghamton University with a major in Human Development, and Concordia University with Masters in Educational Administration.

Where Have You Lived/Taught Abroad

What countries have you visited?

South Korea, Vietnam, China, Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic

TOP 3 ON YOUR LIST?

South Korea, Netherlands, Vietnam

Describe Your First Travel Experience

I went to Italy to visit my friend who was studying abroad. At the time, I had never left North America, so I was extremely excited and spontaneously booked my flight. On the plane ride, I was excited about the prospects of what Italy would bring, not thinking about any potential challenges that might arise. All I could think about was how I was about to see a new culture and eat some incredible food. That feeling on the plane is something that has continued to drive me to travel abroad to other countries.

BEST TRAVEL STORY:

In my first few days in Daegu, I went to a restaurant at the corner of my block to buy a Korean snack called geem-bop. I was nervous because I was only able to understand some Korean at the time and my ability to speak the language was even worse. I decided to just point to one of the geem-bop meals on their menu instead of speaking and I could hear the two ladies working at the restaurant speaking to one another wondering why I couldn’t just tell them what I wanted to order. To them, I looked like a local Korean man that should be able to communicate what he wanted to eat with ease. Although I got the geem-bop that I desired that day, the encounter left me a bit discouraged as I realized that I had the challenge of adapting into a world that didn’t even know that I was a foreigner. As time passed, I was able to grow more confident and comfortable with my surroundings and eventually became a regular at the geem-bop restaurant and have fond memories of that restaurant.

Name some of your favorite literature & media:

Films: Wedding Crashers, The Departed, Crazy Stupid Love, Zombieland, Little Miss Sunshine

Music: Chance the Rapper, Explosions in the Sky

TV: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia & Rick and Morty

What is your favorite international cuisine?

Korean barbecue and pretty much anything in Italy is just incredible.

Why do you like working at International TEFL Academy?

I love being in an environment where all my coworkers have life changing stories from their times abroad. I also enjoy working with people that are as weird as I am. Helping guide prospective TEFL students towards their goal of teaching abroad is truly a dream come true.