the end of an era at SEI

Well I've been trying to sum up how I feel about leaving SEI. The simple answer is happy, simply because I doubt that this job will exist in six months time. However, as recently as three weeks ago they were planning to have two western teachers, Geoff and I. Had I known how badly the company was doing then I would not have considered it, but who knew?

That being said, it's actually been a good ride here, the last three weeks of my contract aside. I remember showing up in October 2009. I had just come back from SE Asia and was tired, sweaty and ready to settle down. I remember staying three nights at a cheap hotel and living out of Kris and Miranda's apartment until John, the teacher I replaced, left. I remember being amazed at the fact that we had real training and a set programme (Yes academy being, "here's a book and tape, do whatever you want"). I thought the material was engaging, if a bit advanced for many kids, and we were kept busy. I also loved having three awesome western co-workers (Kris, Miranda and David) and it was probably my favourite time at SEI. We would often hang out after work and always had lots to talk about. The job itself was diverse and interesting and kept us satisfied. I'll always remember hanging out with K&M at Beer Cabin or WaBar, or Halloween with the party and night out at KMU. It was a time at SEI that went by WAY too quickly.

The transition period, where Kris, Miranda and David were replaced by Sterling and Robbie was okay, but the decreased workload was already evident (though we still were kept busy). While the downsizing was a sign of things to come, it didn't feel like it at the time. In fact, things were going so well that I recommended the job to Geoff when he came out (at the other branch) and he worked there for a year. It was an okay time. While none of us hung out like we did when it was four, we all got along well and we were able to keep work interesting.

The summer saw a drastic decrease in students (the programme, which always rushed kids through, backfired as many kids did poorly on their tests). Combine that with new schools opening and offering substantial discounts and suddenly I was doing 4-5 classes a day and was annoyed (if only I'd known what was to come :P). Sterling left and was not replaced. Four to two in ten months, another sign. At the same time Bobby was dumped in Daegok and Geoff was condemned to spend his last 8 months solo. However, even this period had some ups to it. Robbie and I got to know each other and with all the extra time off had plenty of time to chat and discuss issues related to work/education and many other things. While Daegok was tanking our school was actually doing OKAY. Student numbers stabilized and it was looking better. Though we had fewer and fewer classes we were actually gaining students. So much so that they were again talking three native teachers. So I had no issue agreeing to another contract and Geoff was eager to come over. Of course it was not to be and you all know the rest.

Of course, the way the final downsizing went down means that I will have few really fond memories of the management or policies of the school, but this is not so for much of the time I've had here, especially the first six months but even the first year I remember very fondly. I'm also not totally sad about leaving because it means extra time at home and a move to a more stable school for my final tour of Korea. I really need time with friends and family in Vancouver (and I'd kill for a real turkey dinner).

Looking back, some of my favourite memories include:

-Halloween parties - when David suggested this I was a bit skeptical, but when I saw what he had in mind I came around. In fact, my favourite day at SEI was probably that Halloween. The four of us built two rooms, one pitch black to scare the kids, the other a play/games room. David and I covered most of the scaring and it was a blast. Afterwards, we met with friends and girlfriends and all went out, dressed up, to the Keimyung uni area and had a great night out. The second halloween party was also a lot of fun. We had three this time and we did more of a graveyard theme. It was a lot of fun.

-field trip - In my contract I can work up to six Saturdays in a year, meaning that I should have worked 9-10 by now. I have worked two. One was the EXCO presentation and the less said about that the better. The other was a field trip to Gyeongju National Museum. It was actually a lot of fun to take the kids out and let them run around, looking up stuff and telling me all about it in English. We also went out for a big dinner afterwards (something the staff doesn't do anymore).

- a few classes. I had several great classes while at SEI, with kids who I will remember for a long time. Really interesting, funny kids. From little brats to young adults. I will miss a few of them.


I still have five days so perhaps this is a little early to write my SEI epitaph, but with interviews and visa stuff to be done I won't have much time over the next couple of days to do this. I'd also like to shift my blog away from depressing work stuff to Taiwan and time back home. Two weeks of depressing blogs is two weeks more than anyone needs.