Bibimbap a
Teachers Magazine
Jeollanamdo • Volume 4 • Issue 5
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EST. 2013 • Volume 4 • Issue 5• February 2017
For questions and comments concerning articles please contact the writer via their emails listed at the end of their articles
For general inquiries contact: BibimbapNews@gmail.com general managment
Chris Devison chrisofficeofeducation@yahoo.com Dinh Nguyen d11nguye@gmail.com Lindsay Ross Ross6520@gmail.com copy editor
Colin Bishoff art director
Dinh Nguyen incoming art director
Nicole Palafox production team
Chris Devison Dinh Nguyen Nicole Palafox Elizabeth Anne Lindsay Ross Colin Bishoff Madeleine Grace photographers
Dinh Nguyen cover photo
Dinh Nguyen
All non-credited photos are used under public domain
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The Editorial Team
{bibimbap {
Chris Devison is the Provincial Coordinator for the Jeollanamdo Language Program. He has lived in South Korea for almost 10 years, and has spent six of those years in his current position. Aside from assisting public school teachers with their contract and school life, he has a keen interest in health and wellness. Having lived in both Western and Eastern cultures, he has a strong understanding of the healthiest practices of both worlds. Before coming to South Korea, Dinh Nguyen was a Canadian journalist. He has 6 years experience as an editor, reporter, and desktop publishing designer. After obtaining his CELTA in 2012, he moved to Yeosu to follow his passion for teaching and traveling. He also holds a CELTA YLE, and two DELTA certificates. He is the co-founder of ESL Nomads. Shortly after completing his English degree at the University of Georgia, Colin Bishoff moved to South Korea in 2015 to pursue his dream of experiencing Asian culture. He has a passion for his native language in both its written and spoken forms, and he greatly respects the difference between a dash and a hyphen. An avid runner, Colin can often be found winding his way alongside the rice fields of glorious Yeonggwang. Lindsay Ross is a Canadian teacher living in Mokpo. After getting her bachelor of education in 2011, she taught with JLP for four years at the middle and high school levels. She now works at a university in Naju. Among other articles, Lindsay researches and puts together the event calendar and Korean language sections for Bibimbap. Elizabeth Anne has taught at all levels in public schools in South Korea since 2002, and at an International School on China’s east coast. While at University she studied Food Science, Nutrition and Biology in addition to Elementary Teaching. She grew up in multi-cultural New Zealand which influenced her to explore other cultures and food. Madeleine Grace is an EFL teacher in Yeosu. Prior to pursuing teaching, she earned a BFA in Photography and Design. She has worked for JLP since 2015 and worked at a private academy prior to that in Mokpo. Her journey to EFL teacher includes traveling to Dubai, Nepal, and several other countries to research ESL and EFL professionals. She also has earned her M. ED in ESL Curriculum Design. Nicole Palafox was a graphic designer and freelance photographer prior to moving to South Korea. She graduated with a BFA in Studio Arts concentrating in graphic design with an art history minor. She's been an elementary English teacher in Mokpo since August 2015. Besides photography and design, she enjoys traveling, the outdoors, cooking, and binging on Netflix shows. Susan Sahab is an English teacher in Hwasun and is currently starting her second year in Korea. As an Art History major, she is passionate about both the historical and aesthetic significance of art and photography. Her passions include photography, music, cooking, and illustration. In an attempt to continue her art while teaching, in her free time she teaches traditional art classes at the Gwangju International Center and tries to shoot as often as possible..
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UPCOMING HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS
A SEOULFUL FOOD ADVENTURE
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Now - May
Dinh Nguyen
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FOUR FACTORS FOR IMPROVED SLEEP
20 14 22 4 AN ENGAGED TEACHER
NESTS LIFECYCLE AND BURNOUT Chris Devison
Chris Devison
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Madeleine Grace
34 HAM AND VEGETABLE QUICHE Elizabeth Ann
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND HOLIDAYS NOW - FEBRUARY 26 // 강화빙어축제; Incheon Ganghwa Icefish Festival
NOW - MAY 31 // 양평딸기체험축제; Gyeonggi-do Yangpyeong Strawberry Festival
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MARCH 2 - 5 // 제주 들불축제; Jeju-do Jeju Fire Festival
APRIL 6 - 9 // 고령대가야체험축제; Gyeongsangbuk-do Goryeong Daegaya Experience Festival
APRIL 6-9 // 영암왕인문화축제; Jeollanam-do Yeongam Wangin Culture Festival
APRIL 13 - MAY 10 // 태안 튤립 축제; Chungcheongnam-do Tean Tulip Festival
APRIL 22-23 // 광주칠석고싸움놀이축제; Gwangju Gwangju Gossaum (Folklore) Festival
APRIL 22 - MAY 28 // 경기세계도자비엔날레; Gyeonggi-do Gyeonggi International CeraMIX Biennale
APRIL 26 - 29 // 진도 신비의바닷길축제; Jeollanam-do Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival
APRIL 28 - 30 // 광안리 어방축제; Busan Gwangalli Eobang (Spirit of Fisherman) Festival
APRIL 28 - MAY 14 // 고양 국제꽃박람회; Gyeonggi-do International Horticulture Goyang Korea
APRIL 28 - 30 // 연등회; Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival
APRIL 28 - MAY 7 // 양평 용문산 산나물 축제; Gyeonggi-do Ganghwa Icefish Festival
APRIL 29 - MAY 7 // 문경 전통찻사발축제; Gyeongsangbuk-do Mungyeong Traditional Chasabal (Tea Bowl) Festival
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FOUR FACTORS FOR IMPROVED SLEEP
Sleep: we all know it’s important, but why do so many of us struggle with it? A lack of sleep can lead to various health problems including weight gain, hormone imbalances, and
Chris Devison
lower immunity, and it generally taxes our overall health. Today, many of us are overworked and face too much stress in our lives, and unfortunately, these conditions do not support the ideal factors we need to have the best night’s sleep. That being said, however, there are things we can do to help us sleep better. In this article, I will look at three categories that we can examine in our daily lives to see how we can improve our sleep. These
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are Diet, Daily Patterns, and Sleep Environment.
DIET AND SLEEP
We are all familiar with the expression “You are
these compounds is interdependent, meaning that an
what you eat.” And as clichéd as it sounds, there is
imbalance or lack in one can lead to issues in another
a great deal of truth to it. The way we eat provides a
or in overall sleep quality.
general indication of our overall health, and the healthier
we eat, the healthier we are as a whole. Our diet affects
heard that turkey dinners can make us sleepy. But turkey
everything in our lives, and sleep is no exception. Thus,
is far from the only source of tryptophan, and other
diet and sleep go hand in hand, and issues in one can
options include dairy products, potatoes, tofu, salmon,
have a definite effect on the other.
beans, lentils, oats, nuts, and seeds. A dinner of beans
In particular, the way we eat affects our regulation
and lentils, for example, or a small snack of activated nuts
of tryptophan, serotonin, melatonin, and several other
can be a great way to boost tryptophan in the evening
vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to balance
before bed. (activating nuts is very simple and can be
sleep cycles and keep us sleeping soundly all night.
accomplished by soaking the nuts in water for at least
Tryptophan is first converted to serotonin, which in turn
two hours or overnight. This removes the phytic acid and
is used to produce melatonin. The relationship among
makes them more digestible.)
We are all familiar with tryptophan and have likely
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With adequate amounts of tryptophan, our bodies
in Korea. The basic premise was that a casual stroll in a
magnesium and potassium, both of which are known
can then produce serotonin, which is known for regulating
beautiful location on a nice warm day helped to increase
to promote relaxation and blood circulation. Besides
our sleep cycles. This may seem a bit confusing since
serotonin levels and make people happier. It’s known
bananas, dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds, citrus fruits,
serotonin is often known as the happiness neurotransmitter,
that sunlight in the daytime hours and moderate exercise
tomatoes, and whole grains are also great sources of
and while this is true, we also need serotonin to produce
promote better sleep, and this is why a casual stroll during
potassium and magnesium. Pumpkin seeds, too, contain
melatonin—the so-called sleep hormone.
lunch hour or in the afternoon helps us to feel more alert
high levels of magnesium and zinc, both of which help
Besides eating tryptophan-rich foods, we should
and sleep better at night. Also, meditation—especially
to improve sleep quality and duration.
also focus on choosing foods that help our bodies to
a form that requires us to focus on positive thoughts or
produce serotonin and improve gut health. Kiwis, tomatoes,
feelings—can have a profound effect on our sleep.
levels. Calcium helps our bodies convert tryptophan into
cherries, and bananas, all of which are said to help with
If we eat foods with plenty of tryptophan and do
melatonin and is essential for helping us to initially fall
the production of serotonin. Fermented vegetables (like
things to promote serotonin production in our bodies,
asleep. In addition to dairy, soy products, nuts, seeds, and
kimchi), kefir, yogurt with live active cultures, kombucha,
we are on the right track to optimizing our levels of
whole grains are also strong calcium sources. Though I
miso, and high-fiber foods are also great for a healthy gut.
melatonin, as well. However, to insure that we have
personally try to avoid dairy, a warm glass of milk before
As has been stated, gut health is critical both to healthy
enough melatonin, we can also try eating melatonin-rich
bed can be a great sleep aid, as it’s high in tryptophan
sleep and to general wellbeing, so it’s crucial that we not
foods such as cherries, walnuts, oatmeal, pineapples,
and calcium.
overlook this issue. More information on this topic can
rice, barley, and bananas. Bananas, especially, are a
be found in my gut health article from the August 2016
super sleep aid, as they help to balance both serotonin
is to have a light snack before bed if needed. The key,
Edition of Bibimbap, in which I discuss gut health and
and melatonin levels. They also contain high levels of
though, is to keep it light, as eating too much—especially
Foods high in calcium also help to boost melatonin
It’s important to remember that the emphasis here
its relation to overall health in greater detail.
“It’s known that sunlight in the daytime hours and moderate exercise promote better sleep, and this is why a casual stroll during lunch hour or in the afternoon helps us to feel more alert and sleep better at night”
Despite its importance, diet isn’t the only way to
increase serotonin production. In addition to our food choices, moderate exercise, sunlight, and even positivity affect our serotonin levels. Case in point: a couple years back, there was a trend called “Slow Walking Festivals” 8
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closer to bedtime—will strain our digestive systems and
unlike sugar—may actually improve the quality of sleep.
actually interfere with our sleep. What we eat (or don’t
Natural honey contains the neurotransmitter orexin, which
bed, but thinking too hard can actually impede our sleep.
eat) is, of course, important, too, and for optimal sleep,
helps to lessen our alertness and causes us to fall asleep
Thinking about work, general problems, or other stressors
we should avoid sugars and foods high on the glycemic
more easily. Others things we should avoid too close
will only keep us awake with worry. Changing our thoughts
index throughout the day. These foods cause insulin
to bedtime are foods that are spicy, acidic (including
to more peaceful and relaxing things, however, can help
spikes, making it more difficult for us to fall and stay
tomato-based sauces), or diuretic in nature.
us to sleep better.
asleep. Grains, dairy, or any other foods we may be sensitive to are all things we should avoid before bed, as well, and we should also take our caffeine intake into
DAILY PATTERNS
Ironically, I feel I do my best thinking just before
When I have trouble sleeping, I find it helpful
to close my eyes and visualize a place that’s calming and peaceful. It may be a place I have been before or
account. Consuming caffeine just before bed obviously
It is natural for our bodies to like routine; in fact,
somewhere I imagine. Concentrating on how relaxed this
isn’t the best choice, but eliminating it as early as the
it is built right in us. This pattern is known as circadian
place makes me feel usually puts my mind in the right
afternoon may also benefit our sleep.
rhythm and is part of our genetic make-up. By matching
mood and helps my body to relax.
Alcohol consumption is another factor to consider,
our daily routine to this natural rhythm, we can improve
and although red wine may increase melatonin, alcohol
the overall health and quality of our lives—including, of
techniques, meditation, yoga nidra, or progressive muscle
has adverse effects on sleep. We may fall asleep easily
course, the quality of our sleep.
relaxation are also great ways to wind down at night, and
after a drink, but the quality and duration of sleep is
The first thing we should do is to keep a regular
video examples of all of these can be found on YouTube.
affected. A nice, warm cup of chamomile tea is a better
routine of sleep. Eight hours seems to be the magic
Trying one technique specifically designed for sleep later
option, as it rests the mind and relaxes the body. This is
number known to most of us, and we should thus aim to
at night or incorporating several into a regular evening
best taken unsweetened or with a little honey, which—
go to bed with enough time to sleep for eight solid hours
practice earlier in the evening are both ways to put our
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Besides visualization, prayer, deep breathing
before waking up to get ready for work. Maintaining this
bodies in the proper mood for sleep.
routine even during weekends is best, as it helps to keep
our bodies in rhythm. Those of us struggling to get out
and avoid anything strenuous or over stimulating,
of bed in the mornings likely need to go to sleep earlier.
including social media. I also try to put my cell phone in
Sometimes, however, just feeling tired enough to
another room so there is no temptation to check it once
go to bed is not so easy. If we are not mentally prepared
I am in bed. Although I do often watch TV, this isn’t the
to go to sleep, we may find ourselves tossing and turning
best activity because it can be stimulating and is also
in bed for some time before we actually fall asleep. How
an unnecessary source of light. A better alternative is
our entire day plays out greatly affects our ability to fall
reading.
asleep at night, and for this reason, it’s a good idea to
develop a bedtime routine. For me, this means creating
bedroom should ideally be a place of rest. By maintaining
a more relaxing mood all evening. When done as a sort
a relaxing space and avoiding other activities (with one
of pre-sleep ritual, the whole process of these things
notable exception for which we need not go into detail),
convinces my brain that it’s time to sleep. Let’s look at
our brains will associate the bedroom with a relaxing
some things we can do (or avoid doing) every day to
place meant only for sleep, helping us to wind down
help set the mood for a better slumber at night.
more easily at night.
I like to do more relaxing activities in the evening
Although it’s easy to let it turn into a workspace, the
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Earlier in the evening, I like to take a hot bath or
shower or do a foot bath to relax. I also dim the lights in my house and use relaxing aroma therapy oils. When using scented oils, it’s good to be cautious about the scents we use, as some may cause us to be alert while others will help us relax. I like to use lavender or a special calming blend I keep at home.
At least once a week, I set an aside an evening for
relaxation which includes a bath, facemask, and some sort of mediation. I always sleep well on these nights, and I feel the relaxation helps me to sleep better throughout the rest of the week, too.
Something else to consider is napping, as taking
naps during the day may make it more difficult to sleep at night. Those of us who do nap should aim to keep them short—no longer than 20 minutes. Yoga nidra, meditation, or deep breathing exercises are also ways to boost energy if we feel tired during the day, and these may in fact be better than naps, as they allow us both to relax and to remain alert.
Another alternative is to try doing something mildly
stimulating during the day. A quick walk, especially in
THE SLEEP ENVIRONMENT
Besides our food choices and daily routines, our
strong electro-magnetic currents. Turning them off will
sleep environments affect the quality of our sleep, too.
reduce the strength, but it’s even better to unplug them
We should thus examine our sleeping arrangements and
altogether.
look for possible ways to make our places of rest more
conducive to sleeping.
reduce the amount of negative ions in the atmosphere
As mentioned, dark environments are always
produced by electronic gadgets. If this is true, they are
best for sleeping, but temperature is also a big factor.
not only helpful to our wellbeing, but look pretty stylish,
Our bodies naturally decrease in temperature when we
too.
sleep by about 2°C. For this reason, we can encourage
Himalayan pink salt lamps have been said to help
Another thing we can do is to use earplugs or a
our bodies to sleep better by setting the thermostat back
source of white noise so we aren’t as easily disturbed
by two degrees before bed in order to match our bodies’
once we do fall asleep. Investing in a quality pillow, bed
natural drop in temperature.
clothes, and mattress are also critical to a healthy sleep,
and it’s a good idea to periodically flip the mattress, too.
Next, besides the unnecessary lighting, electronic
devices also produce electro-magnetic fields which
can affect our sleep. Some things, such as electricity
clean. Just as we shouldn’t fill our bodies with junk, we
meters and fuse boxes, are much stronger than others.
should also avoid allowing our bedrooms to become
If our beds are near these, we may want to think about
our designated dumping grounds. A cluttered or messy
moving them. Furthermore, heated blankets or the ever-
bedroom is less calming and can thus distract us from
so-popular heated floor mats found in Korea produce
what it is we truly need to do there: sleep.
As a final note, it’s important to keep our bedrooms
the sunshine, is often helpful. A good goal is to get at least 30 minutes of sunlight every day. As mentioned,
"By matching our daily routine to this natural rhythm, we can improve the overall health and quality of our lives—including, of course, the quality of our sleep."
this helps boost our serotonin levels, thus elevating the necessary melatonin levels for sleep at night.
Our brains secrete more melatonin when it ’s
dark. During the day, we should try to have more natural sunlight exposure to keep us alert. This means letting natural light into our offices, classrooms, or homes as well as avoiding artificial light after the sun goes down. When it’s time to sleep, we should make sure the room is completely dark. This means getting rid of all forms of artificial light, including all those annoying lights found on electrical appliances throughout the room. Blackout
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curtains are a big help, too, as they help to block outside light sources from entering the room.
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AN ENGAGED TEACHER Madeleine Grace
EFL teachers and instructors in many countries are subject to a system that
works much like a “revolving door.” This type of system is set up for EFL teachers to come in, teach for 6 months to a year, and then leave again. Unfortunately, these types of systems usually do not allow for or provide much training or opportunity for advancement. In South Korea, the standard is 1-year contracts, with teachers and instructors staying between 1-3 years on average. Thus, if we consider that teachers often transfer schools, change academies, or leave after their year is up, we realize that the students see a constant rotation of teachers. While such exposure can in some ways help students by providing access to different accents and types of speech, it can also hurt their chances for successful learning for these same reasons. This constant rotation can also impact the students’ drive to learn because they might think the teacher/instructor does not care or that next year a new person will come anyway—so why bother trying? For teachers, understanding and recognizing these problems only begs the following questions: how can we break the cycle, build trust, or try to bridge the transition?
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BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP
Students who can see that their teacher cares are more likely to also
care about the class or teacher. I am not saying we must be best friends with each student or that we should bribe them with candies and cookies (I strongly dislike this method, as it leads to entitlement), but we should try to show them that we do, in fact, care about their learning and lives. And this doesn’t have to be in a big way; we can show interest in the small things by requesting to join in their soccer matches, asking about their hobbies, or just sitting in places that are more accessible than a teacher’s office. Building a relationship with classes and students can be very hard if the co-teacher is disengaged, but persistence speaks volumes and consistency is key. Even if we only establish a small relationship with a few classes or students, the trickle-down effect can be quite strong.
BRIDGING THE GAP
Those of us who are going home or changing schools should make
an effort to get in touch with the teachers who will fill our spots. Once we find out who will be replacing us, we should try to prepare our classes for the language differences that might come. For example, for an American whose replacement is from South Africa, it might be helpful to expose the students to the alternate spellings and pronunciations. We can also try showing movies, TV shows, or music videos that feature mixed accents and pronunciations. This way, the students get the familiar speech patterns of the incoming teacher along with anything new and can ask questions about things they don’t understand. As an American, I know Hollywood makes cool movies, but the UK makes some great TV programs!
BEING HONEST
FINAL THOUGHTS
Co-teachers and students know when a teacher/
In the long run, these suggestions may be helpful
instructor does not want to be at school or in class, and
both to teachers and students, as they allow teachers who
these negative emotions will only rub off onto the students.
would be better suited for a position to enter the spot
The “fake it till you make it” mentality only works for so
and prevent constant turnover. These tips also provide a
long, and those of us who are struggling should think long
jumping-off point to help teachers transfer more smoothly
and hard about why we feel unhappy. Is it the age level?
and to make it easier for schools and students to develop
The school atmosphere? Teaching? Or something more
relationships with NESTs (Native English Speaking Teachers).
serious? Once we peg the source of the problem, we should
This in no way says that someone is a bad teacher, but simply
work to change or improve it. This might mean changing
admits that the placement is not best suited to that teacher’s
schools, changing age levels, working to improve co-teacher
skills or needs.
communication, etc. Whatever it takes, we should do, because in the end, this negative energy will only continue to build. If left to grow, the impact of this negativity will be long-lasting both for us as teachers and for the students, ultimately leaving us feeling resentful and the students
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feeling unmotivated.
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A SEOULFUL FOOD ADVENTURE Photo essay
By Dinh Nguyen
Whether it’s for a staycation or a long weekend, as expats Seoul is often on the radar when we want to treat ourselves or take a break from the mundane. The city of 10 million people comes with a variety of food options that are sure to quench homesickness and all other types of cravings. Unfortunately, in a city so large it is also easy to overlook truly good eats, and end up with subpar meals. But if we choose carefully, a staycation can also become an exotic food tour— a gourmet food adventure comparable to the ones we do overseas. 18
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MULTICULTURALISM IN
SOUTH KOREA Ansan | Closest Subway Station: Ansan
From top to bottom: Lemongrass beef, and pork and shrimp spring rolls from Dieu Hien
There is a place in Seoul where you can get authentic ethnic food without the fancy price tag or alterations. In Ansan, where 2/3 of the population are non-Korean, and over 1400 businesses (mostly restaurants) are owned by foreigners, no spices are lift behind. The food are not adjusted to fit the Korean taste bud. There is a large enough non-Korean market to sustain businesses who choose to use traditional flavours. Unlike most places in Korea, here you can find Indian, Nappanee, Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese food prepared by people from their respective countries. The most authentic Vietnamese food in South Korea is found in Ansan. As the customer base demands it, the Pho’ here is the never watered down, and the chefs are generous with their use of traditionally fresh herbs like cilantro and basil. They do what they can to get the flavours as close to home as possible. If you look closely you might even notice other cultural facets. Take for example, my favourite Vietnamese establishment in Ansan: Dieu Hien Quan. While Korean and English speakers are presented with a basic menu, if you can read the language, you’ll find that items that are only written inVietnamese are a little more peculiar to the restaurant’s mother-culture. At first glance I saw dishesthatincludedturtle,rabbit,frog,andcongealedrawbloodjelly/pudding.
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dinh nguyen
A SEOULFUL FOOD ADVENTURE
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A VALLEY OF
FOOD Mangwon dong | Closest Subway Station: Mangwon
In-between the Han River and the busy area of Hongdae, lies a once quiet neighborhood that is now bustling with trendy restaurants, food vendors and cafĂŠs, among quaint bookstores and art galleries. Mangwon dong is one of those places that is best explored by foot. It is easy to spend an entire day here wandering and discovering hidden food gems. Some gems, like fried chicken street vendors are in plain sight, while others are obscured by side streets and back alleys.
MOON IN THE LAB Moon in the Lab is one of those places that are easy to miss if you stick to the main street or are not mindful of details in your surroundings. At first I thought it was an art gallery or utensil store. After further observation I discovered that the small establishment was a European Asian fusion bistro. Moon in the Lab is owned by three guys who like to experiment with food. The menu is always changing, and so is the beautiful foods plating.
• 57-120, Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Top left and right photos: Crispy beef rolls with Chinese sweet and sour sauce Middle left: Pumpkin bread sticks, Pockey style Bottom left: Fresh olives. All food from Moon in the Lab
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A TALE OF TWO
Itaewon (outer ring) Closest station: Noksapyeong Itaewonis hailed as a gourmet food Mecca of Seoul.The problem is that for most people who hear this, what comes to mind is the main area of Itaewon with all the night life, and expat get-togethers. But that area is only half ofthestatement.OntheoutskirtsofItaewonliesneighborhoodsbooming withgourmetfoodculture.Callithiporeccentric,theseareasisnothinglike the main stretch of Itaewon. Here you can find less expats, and more places that do things like let you order cocktails while getting a haircut.
ITAEWONS Itaewon (main strip) | Closest Subway Station: Itaewon
Second Ground is one of the best places for Fish and chips in Korea. Whilemostrestaurantsdon’tgenerallygiveyouachoiceoffishwhenyouorder, atSecondGroundyougetasmallselectionthatincludesCodandHalibut.The chips(fries)thatcomeswithyourmealiswellpreparedtoo.Theyarefriedtwice, onceonlowtemperaturetosoftenthepotato,andasecondtimeatahighertemperature to make the chips crispy.The fish and chips are also reasonably price. Theystartat11,000wonforasmallsize,andgoesupto30,000wonforapatter.
The home of shitter faced drinking, plus size clothing, and non-Korean food — every expat knows about Itaewon. Juxtaposing with the dingy, rundown exterior of its main street, the neighborhood is also known for some of the best food in Seoul. While there is a decent selection of quality restaurants to choose from (like Michelin star Thai restaurant: Bua) my favourite food thing to do here is to get breakfast— specifically pancakes.
• 600 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu |Noksapyeong station. Exit using the
elevator next to the convenience store.Walk over the bridge and take a left.
The Flying Pan Blue serves cloud-like puffy pancakes full of fresh toppings. You can choose between sweet (like banana, walnut and ricotta chesses) and savory (like mushrooms and bacon). They also serve a delicious section of wholesome salads, soups and beverages. I always get the strawberry smoothie.
Eclair by Garuharu specializes in a wide section of French eclairs. They makethedessertonsitebehindaclearwindowwhereallcansee.Theraspberry eclair is super sweet and tart. It has a refreshing aroma stemming from a rich raspberry puree that spells out“quality.”The rose petal eclair is not as sweet.With anearthyflavor,itlooksandtasteelegant.Bewareofthesaltedcaramelandbutter éclair. While delicious, the large curly balls on it are actually chunks of butter.
• 123-7 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu |Turn left on to the side
street after passing the Hamilton Hotel going towards Itaewan station). It will be on you right (bottom floor, set of stairs next to the Thai restaurant.
• Nksapyeong exit 2. Take a left and keep walking and then turn right at the police station. It will be across the street from a CU.
Flat Iron is an artisan sandwich kitchen down the streets from Éclair by
Canucks (originally Maple House) is another place worth
Garuharu,wheretheownersdesignedeverything,fromthelighting,utensils, to the food. I say Kitchen because like many places in the neighborhood, Flat Iron has an aspect of personalized uniqueness.The restaurant is laid out like a Kitchen. You walk into an area with one long wooden slab table encompassedbycupboards,counters,andappliances.Thisiswherealltheguestssit and socialise regardless if they know each other or not. The owners, a wife and husband duo, talks with the customers while they prepare an array of sandwichesmadewithfreshlybakedartisanbread.TheKitchenisnamedafter the Flat Iron building in New York, as one of the owners is passionate about architecture and design. The Flat Iron is his favourite building.
mentioningsimplybecausetherearenotmanyquality restaurants in South Korea that serves Canadian cuisine. The poutine here is probably the best in all of Korea; or at least, the most authentic. My only problem is that they put very little cheese curds (yes they have cheese curds) on it. The fries feel a bit naked.
• 2F, 145 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu (on the main road next to
Manimal Smoke House Ribs, briskets, meat and more meat. If you miss barbeque restaurants back home, this is a must visit place. I had the Chicken, pulled pork, and cranberry ribplatter with,aside of greenchilimacandcheesebecausetheywereoutof brisket. Their briskets are popular, and often sell out early. Still, I was very impressed with what I got.The chicken was so tender that the word“dry”cease to exist in my vocabulary for the night.They mac and cheese and the ribs are perfect comfort food that are good even when you don’t need comforting. 24 dinh nguyen
• 2f Noksapyeong-daero 40-gil, Yongsan-gu,
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Green curry burger from Brooklyn, the Burger Joint in Gourmet 494
Lobster grilled sanwhich and fries from Lobster Bar in Gourmet 494 dinh nguyen
GOURMET 494 Apgujeong | Closest Subway Station: Apgujeong- Rodeo
Apujeongiswherethecelebritiesandpeoplewhodon’tneedtodistinguishbetweenregular paperandcashcometoshop.Hereyouwillfinddesignerboutiques,artgalleries,andnamebrand establishments (like Louis Vuitton) within custom designed architecture. If you’re here for the food and don’t care for $20,000 night stands, I recommend starting with Gourmet 494 Fusion tocos from Vatos Tocos in Gourmet 494
Gourmet 494 took some of the city’s best restaurants (like Vatos Tocos) and put mini versions of them into a food court, with gourmet grocery stores and wine shops. You can get anything from lobster rolls, to tacos, to quality handmade burgers.
Afterordering,youaregivenabuzzerdevicethatattachestoaslotonyourtable(anywherein the food court). You do not have to pick up your food. The device will tell vendor where you are siting, and they will bring your order over when it’s done.
• Apgujeong-RodeosubwayExit7.Youdon’tevenhavetoleavethestation,thereisaconnectingentrance.
Fried kimchi fries at Gourmet 494 26
A SEOULFUL FOOD ADVENTURE dinh nguyen
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NESTS LIFECYCLE AND BURNOUT Chris Devison
Having assisted hundreds if not thousands of
Most of us will probably agree that working as a
teachers during the 7 years I have spent working for the
teacher here is generally a very positive experience, and I
Jeollanamdo Office of Education, I have encountered
can happily say that most of the teachers who work in this
countless problems and almost every imaginable situation.
province have a wonderful experience at their schools and
My time here has taught me a great deal, and has helped me
in Korea as a whole. That being said, however, living and
grow as an educator as well as an individual.
teaching in Korea surely comes with its share of obstacles
and issues, particularly in regards to cultural adjustment and
When I worked as a teacher, my focus was my
students. I pondered how I could deliver material in ways that
teacher burnout. Both of these can have a negative impact
would enable my students not only to learn easily, but also
on a teacher’s time here if left unattended, and it is thus my
to enjoy doing so. I also thought about how I could inspire
goal to approach these problems rationally and to offer
them to study English on their own time and in their own
some tips in overcoming them.
more meaningful ways. Although my job today keeps me in
the office instead of the classroom, there remain a number
noticing distinct patterns in the typical lifecycle of the Native
of parallels between what I do as administrator and what I
English Speaking Teachers (NESTs) who live here. From these
used to do as a teacher. As was the case in the classroom,
patterns, I have learned to distinguish common issues and
there are many things for me to consider in my current job, as
possible ways of troubleshooting for solutions. Over time, I
well, and though the learning curve was initially quite steep,
have observed what seem to be 4 distinct stages that a NEST
I eventually learned to do things more effectively as I gained
can go through, with a possible fifth also deserving mention.
experience in my position.
These stages are similar to the stages of culture shock, yet I
One thing that has been very helpful to me has been
refrain from using this term because shock seems too severe a word for what the majority of teachers experience. 28
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Korea, even if there are things they may dislike. They learn to
Stage.” During this stage, everything seems new, exciting,
live without the things unavailable to them here and manage
with. It is my hope that teachers who find themselves
about a nation’s history and culture will help teachers gain
and fantastic, and new teachers often become infatuated
well with what is. This is the “Mastery Stage.”
facing this situation will still fulfill their contracts and remain
a better understanding of how things work in their new
with the people and culture. Most soon learn, however that
cooperative with others even if they are unhappy with their
environment. Another strategy might be to investigate the
Korea—like any other country—is no utopia, and they may then
the rare teacher will experience. Although it can happen at
lives in Korea. Typically, people who are having difficulty
work of Geert Hofsdtede, whose country comparison tool
find themselves entering the “Negotiation Stage.” This phase
any point, this stage is most likely to happen close to the end
in the negotiation phase, or who feel unhappy with their
and theories on cultural dimensions can offer valuable insight
is marked by the first miscommunications, a bad experience
of someone’s contract, in which case it usually leads to an
situations in Korea at any other point, have ways to cope.
into how Korean culture compares to that of other countries.
or two, and a shift towards a more critical outlook or attitude
abrupt end of that teacher’s time here. This is often triggered
The comparison tool can be found by clicking here.
toward Korea in general. Teachers start to notice the cultural
by a negative experience in which the teacher becomes
differences and loss of communication and begin to miss
fed-up and realizes that it’s time to move on. I call this the
the language barrier and the resulting loss of independence.
home more.
“Check-out Stage,” as it is marked by a pervading sense of
When new teachers find themselves in a country whose
apathy that often leads to a decline in relationships with
culture and language are unfamiliar to them, they soon
teachers become accustomed to the differences and learn
co-teachers and other locals in general. NESTs in this stage
realize that they do not have all the necessary skills to
what to expect in everyday life. Life becomes normalized,
become less cooperative and understanding—and in rare
or as normal as life can be after moving to a foreign country.
cases even unreasonable or confrontational—and as a result,
Over time, as teachers begin to find comfort in their routines,
miscommunications or misunderstandings become much
it becomes easier for them to accept things as they are in
more common.
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The first stage is what we might call the “Honeymoon
From here begins the “Adjustment Phase” in which
Unfortunately, I have noticed one more stage which
Admittedly, the check-out stage is difficult to deal
As always, the first step to solving a problem is to
acknowledge its existence. Experiencing issues in a new country or career is normal, especially when the situation involves a new culture with an unknown language. It is here
that gaining some cultural insight can be of use, as learning
Another issue I often find teachers struggling with is
function in society. Included in this is the fact that they can no longer fully express themselves to most of the people around them, which can quickly lead to frustration. This is where studying up on some Korean will come in handy, as https://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html
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Next, “Depersonalization” measures the extent to
which a teacher’s attitude becomes negative towards his/her students, coworkers, or the teaching profession. Teachers undergoing depersonalization often isolate themselves from coworkers and feel the need for more mental health days. To deal with this issue, teachers need to realize that some things are simply beyond their control. Trying to change things they have no control over is pointless, and teachers should instead focus their attention on things they can improve, such as lesson preparation and classroom management.
The last factor to assess burnout is “Personal
Accomplishment.” This term is used to measure how goal-oriented a teacher is as well as his/her sense of accomplishment and feelings of job satisfaction. Teachers should set realistic and obtainable goals, develop a means to assess their students’ progress, and then take time to reflect on their own teaching practice. Self-reflection will help teachers make better decisions in the future and language skills will only enhance a teacher’s experience
here by providing a skill necessary to managing daily life.
three factors when assessing the extent of one’s burnout:
might involve critically analyzing lessons, recording classes,
particular, is a highly stressful position. As a result, teachers
Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal
keeping a diary, or receiving constructive feedback from
Language and culture are intertwined, and just as studying
often find themselves burning out easily if they lack the
Accomplishment.
administrators or peers.
the history lends valuable insight into the way this country
appropriate coping mechanisms. This is especially true
functions, learning the language helps teachers to better
for teachers working in foreign countries, who must face
the general feeling of being over-extended in one’s
professional development and professional learning
understand how Koreans communicate and enables them to
the struggles of living in another country in addition to the
work. Teachers who suffer from this issue become overly
communities can offer the support some teachers may be
develop more meaningful relationships with locals.
normal stress of being a teacher. TEFL is very different than
dependent on routine, grow fatigued, and then lose interest
lacking. These are highly motivating and can help teachers
the regular curriculum classes that most teachers base their
in teaching. For this reason, and despite the fact that it
troubleshoot issues and share ideas. Many of these are free
learn about the language and culture, things can still be
teaching and learning on, and as a result, the expectations
involves more work, teachers should try to avoid unnecessary
or inexpensive and include online webinars, conferences, or
difficult. For this reason, it’s important to maintain current
of many NESTs do not match the realities of the teaching
routine. One way to do so is by improving one’s autonomy
KoTESOL monthly meetings.
support systems from back home or to work to develop
context in Korea. Korea has a very different learning and
in teaching. It’s always good to take an active role in making
new ones in Korea. Maintaining a healthy balance of diet,
teaching style than do most Western countries, and this can
decisions regarding the teaching context, as teachers
benefits of their position. Here may be difficulties, but
exercise, and sleep is critical, as is finding an appropriate
immediately set us down the road to burnout if we aren’t
often know their situations better than administrators and
having the opportunity to explore a new culture that acts as
method to channel stress. These are especially important
careful.
publishers. If restrained by a textbook, teachers should try
a base for other travel opportunities—all the while receiving a
during a new teacher’s first few months in Korea, as it can
to remain creative by altering things and adding in their own
decent pay check and plenty of vacation time, among other
be very difficult for the body to adjust to changes in time,
the issue of burnout, the “Maslach Burnout Inventory” is
ideas when appropriate. In addition, the teacher should try to
benefits—is a pretty great thing.
schedule, climate, and diet.
a great way to help us better understand and overcome
be responsible for a portion of the students’ grade, perhaps
the situation. More specifically, this resource examines
by administering speaking tests, assigning participation
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Even when we apply ourselves by taking time to
Stress is a normal part of adult life, and teaching, in
All safeguards aside, if we do find ourselves facing
The first of these, “Emotional Exhaustion,” is
points, or creating test questions.
In addition to the strategies named above, both
It is always helpful for teachers to remember the
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HAM AND VEGETABLE QUICHE Elizabeth Ann
Do you consider yourself a food connoisseur? Are you fond of sashaying along the food stalls in search of tantalizing new treats for your taste buds? Do you enjoy trying your hand at the tried-and-true recipes of all-star chefs? This quick and easy ham and vegetable quiche is adapted from a recipe by New Zealand’s own culinary master, Alison Holst. This particular recipe is known as a self-crusting quiche, as it calls for self-rising flour in place of the traditional pastry crust. The crust just forms on its own during the cooking process! This recipe works great with ham, sausage, or even potatoes, and it’s an excellent crowd-pleaser when you’re in a pinch. Made from simple ingredients, this quiche makes for a delicious and hearty meal for any time of day—breakfast, brunch, or dinner! Why not try it the next time you have friends over for a gathering? Serves 4
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INGREDIENTS
METHOD
3 eggs, beaten
1. Set the oven to 180°C.
1 onion, finely diced
2. Sift the flour into a bowl and stir the water
1 tablespoon oil
gradually into the flour, pushing out any lumps.
1/2 cup self-rising flour (1/2 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon of
3. Add the milk and beaten eggs and season with
baking powder)
salt and pepper.
1 cup milk
4. Put the chopped vegetables and ham into a
1/2 cup water
greased pan.
Chopped spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, and
5. Pour the egg and milk mix over the vegetables
broccoli
and ham.
Chopped ham or ham substitute
6. Add the grated cheese.
Grated cheese
7. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 180°C , or until golden
Salt and pepper to taste
brown.
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