Interview series: Meet...Malibongwe

Since moving here I have met many wonderful expats. I felt it would be selfish of me to keep these awesome people and their experiences hidden from the world and thus I have decided to add a "Meet ..." interview feature to my blog. 

Every month I will introduce one of these awesome people and allow them to share their experience of teaching and living abroad.

Our first expat is Malibongwe Masinga. I met her at university back in 2013. She was one of the people who inspired me to come teach English in Korea. She is a warm-hearted individual and is well-known in the expat community.

I hope you enjoy her story!:)

Malibongwe Masinga

Instagram: immalibongwe

Home country: South Africa

Countries you’ve visited: Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Macau, Vietnam

Countries you’ve lived: South 

Korea

Duration: 4 years

Why did you come to Korea to teach English?

I was desiring change. The industry I worked in required that I

spend 9 or more hours of my day in front of a computer screen with little human interaction. I also longed to travel but couldn’t afford to do so. 

A trip to Phuket during the Korean holiday called Chuseok.

How has the experience of the country been so far? 

    Living in Korea is never without its surprises. However, the people

    are proud of their culture and willing to show it off, and that makes foreigners feel very welcome. It is very easy to get around the country, with transport being accessible, and it is easy to travel to neighbouring Asian countries. Korea is also unbelievably safe, I have walked the streets alone in the early hours of the morning with my fear being that of feral street cats.

Traditional Korean drummers at Jinju Lantern Festival.

How has the teaching experience been?

    I taught at an elementary school in the city for three and a half years and have recently transitioned to a middle school in the countryside. 

Little Third Graders from my previous school.

    My current school has very advanced students who are practically fluent in English, as well as students who are still trying to find their way around the use of the English language. They are teenagers and so I find them very entertaining and fun to be around. I try my best to structure my lessons around their interests so they can stay engaged in class. This means I have had to renew my interest in pop culture and be more “trendy” haha. I have 4 different co-teachers but unlike at the previous elementary school, I have to lead the class completely on my own. I can also teach at my own pace and set the activities as I see fit. 

Sports Day at my middle school.

I teach Grades 1-3 (Grade7-9 in SA) and these classes are further split into Basic and Advanced classes. My co-workers are very friendly and are easy to talk to whenever any problems arise.

   How has it been adjusting to the new environment?

    The first year was incredibly difficult, I felt very lonely and purposeless. I missed my friends and family as well as other home comforts (I’m talking about you, Chicken Licken hot wings!!!). The other surprise was how long winter lasted, the cold came in around October and did not let up until April, I definitely experienced Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in that season and getting up for anything was a mission!

    All these challenges, however, strengthened my faith in God in 

    more ways than I could have possibly anticipated. I learnt that the Lord is very near to the lonely and He often uses the hard times to speak to us. That means not a single season, good or bad is ever wasted. Even now, I look back on those times with so much joy because I can confidently tell any “newbie” that you will make it and you can only be a better person from this experience. 

   

Hiking up Jangsan Mountain.

   How is Korea different from your home country?

    The biggest difference is the homogeny with everyone looking the same and having the same, exact culture and upbringing. The Koreans have a concept they call “Nunchi” which means common sense. They tend to expect it from everyone because to them it comes easily having a homogenous society and all but, it comes with more difficulty for us because “common sense” is not always common especially in different places in the world.

Some friends I made through Language Exchange.

   What do you miss from your home country? 

    The Koreans have a very minimalistic way of dressing but that is not the case in South Africa. I miss the loud, colourful, expressive way in which we dress and speak. Of course, I also miss my friends and family.

   What advice would you give someone who is thinking of moving abroad but is afraid? 

    I always give the same advice and that is to research, research, research and see if this may be the right decision for you. Ask yourself some serious questions too regarding your open-mindedness relating to people who think differently from you and how comfortable you are with solitude because you spend a lot of time on your own, especially if it is your first time living alone.

My faves...

Food & Drink: It’s so difficult to only choose one kind of food but I would settle on Gamjatang which is a spicy pork bones soup. The grapefruit ade or milk tea (depending on the season) from Ediya would be my drink of choice. (Many foreigners pick up weight here, the food is too good!)

City: Busan

Place in your city: Ganjelgeot Cape

Restaurant: Previously, Pie Wang in Jeonpo (RIP) now Pizza 

Samcheon at Ganjelgeot

Song: Heize -Star

Weekend activities: Sleep in then try out a new café with 

friends!

Jindo sea parting festival with friends from University