As my year with EPIK comes to a close, I find myself thinking a lot about the experience. Below are 10 haikus that reflect what I’ve learned while living, teaching and traveling in South Korea (though really they’re applicable to anyone teaching or living abroad anywhere!).

Being a teacher

Requires kindness, patience

And–JIMMY SIT DOWN!!!!

Be as curious

About the world as Kore’n

Kids are with arm hair.

Try new things, even

If it scares you. Open your

Mouth. Bite down. Swallow.

When teaching young kids,

Speak slowly and carry a

Big bucket of treats.

An-yeong-ha-se-yo (Hello. How are you?)

Ne, ne an-yeong-ha-se-yo (Fine, thank you. How are you?)

Language skills on point.

Whenever in doubt

Bow it out. A smile goes

A long way also.

Travel: exploring

A new part of the world and

Soul at the same time.

To be homesick is

To know without any doubt

Where you’re meant to be.

Language barriers

Are not impenetrable.

Speak. Listen. Converse.

The world is a book

And I’ve read many pages

The next chapter is…