Moving to Ulsan, S. Korea by the numbers and by the heart

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Today is my first full day in Ulsan, my new home. And by "new" I mean the 2nd time around. I lived here from 2002-2003 and visited twice more. Then in 2024, I made a pilgrimage to the sites of the Korean Catholic martyrs which included a week in Ulsan. It was then that I realized I could easily call this place home. (You can read about my Korea Dreambus film screening here!)

The process of getting ready to apply for a visa began months before I even had a job offer. The job search was also months long, and the position I accepted came out of the blue. I'd applied for several teaching positions at a variety of institutions and programs, and even interviewed for two university jobs. None of that worked. But the job I took was exactly where I want to be, and although it's teaching in a hagwan (private after-school academy), the conditions are exemplary and the couple that owns the academy are solid.

So here's a bit of a rundown on the last 48 hours: my move to Ulsan. 

By the numbers 

  • Incheon International Airport

    Terminal 2 Dunkin'

    3 planes
  • 4 airports
  • 1 airport limousine bus 
  • 2 car rides  
  • 3 checked pieces of luggage
  • 1 carry on
  • 1 confiscated Osmo 2 camera battery handle (It was in a bag I hadn't planned to check, but the ticketing agent said she could check it, so I did... forgetting there was a chargeable battery in there.)
  • 1 phone left on plane and retrieved by Korean Air staff
  • 1 delayed flight (Incheon to Busan)
  • Uncountable cups of coffee and water on all 3 planes
  • 4 movies watched: Fantastic 4; Tron: Ares; Sound of Music; Singin' in the Rain (select scenes)
  • 3 episodes of ER watched (big nostalgia!)
  • 1 episode of Star Trek watched (Charlie X) 
  • 27 hours in transit, roughly

By the heart 

Waking up in Ulsan this morning, I felt my spirit rise up at last. All the work, the striving, the weeks of paperwork, packing, visiting, organizing, preparing, moving and traveling were finished. (Well...except moving from the hotel into the new apartment in a week and a half!) 

My new life filled with mission, potential, adventure and opportunities is upon me. I am excited to meet my new students, colleagues and friends while I'm eager to grow with my Korean friends of 24 years. I am ready to welcome what God sends me.

Saying goodbye to my friends and family in Rochester and Massachusetts was emotional; for a time, I felt myself being pulled down with the anxiety of missing them and causing them sadness (even though everyone has supported me in this decision with love and prayers). But this morning when I woke up in my hotel room, I felt the heaviness that had plagued me during my travel from Rochester finally lift.

There will be some hard times, culture shock, misunderstandings, transition and exhaustion... but it's all part of a greater good that I know I'm fulfilling by saying "yes" to this. 

I'm ready.  준비됐어 

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