One thing that's a bit strange about me is that I often have delayed reactions. For example, I'm suddenly feeling a huge wave of missing my students, but yesterday I didn't feel anything like this. It's a weird feeling, like the regret hit me all at once.
I wish I had been more approachable, had more fun, and created more happy memories with them. I should have accepted those warm hugs, been more creative in starting conversations, and talked with them for longer time. I shouldn't have let them just sleep in class, draw, or get distracted. I should have focused on being a friend, not just a teacher.
Being an ESL teacher was really fun. I never thought I'd enjoy teaching because it's never been my thing, but now I wish I could teach them again. Now I'm back at school, but this time I'm the student. Every time I walk around and hear a voice similar to my students', I turn around expecting to see them, even though I know they're back in Korea. Here I am, realizing that I'm not just missing my students, but also my amazing co-teachers.
The laughter, the gossiping, the shared moments – I miss it all so much. Especially my friends, the ones who made work feel like a second home. It's a bittersweet feeling, knowing I can't just walk back into that world, but the memories are a treasure I'll always hold close.
I remember one of my students telling me how much he was going to miss CIJ School. Even though he always said he wanted to go back to Korea and Taiwan, on our last day, he admitted that he would miss CIJ, his friends he made there, and all the teachers. He said that if there was one thing he learned from me, it was to look for the bright side in every situation. We often find ourselves in situations we don't like, but we should always try to find the positive aspects. We won't be in those situations forever, and when we look back, we don't want to only remember whining or bad memories. So, embrace the situation, make it a positive experience, and when you reach the peak, you'll have wonderful memories to cherish. Thank you for reading my short blog have a great day.