When she recently moved to South Korea, Jordan McCutcheon took along a passion for teaching the English language and ample footwear.

 

She is putting that passionate ambition to good use; the shoes, not so much.

 

One of the first things she learned about the Korean culture is that shoes are usually left at the doorstep.

 

“So, it doesn’t even matter what shoes I put on before I go to work, No one will see them,” said the 2005 Bridgeport High School graduate. “And I’m ok with that.”

 

In the small town of Goseon, McCutcheon is under a one-year contract to work as a guest English co-teacher at two elementary schools. She also teaches one adult class. Although she has 22 classes per week, class size is small with no more than five students per class.

 

“This way, the Korean teacher is able to translate for me when I lead the class and  I help with pronunciation when the Korean teacher leads the class,” she said.

 

Culturally, she is exploring and finding her way. She loves the cuisine, even the school lunches.

 

“All of the teachers eat with the students,” she said. “We have kimchi, rice and different main plates of vegetables, yum yum chicken, potato pancakes, pork dumplings and spicy fish dishes.”

 

Food has actually taught her much about the culture in general.

 

“You can learn a lot about food culture of a new locale by spending an afternoon strolling leisurely down the aisles,” she said.

 

In nearby Changwon – a much bigger city, grocers feature everything from fresh clams and fish, make-your-own-sushi to very expensive fruit, like $8 apples.

 

Greetings and formalities are taking some time to become accustomed to, said McCutcheon, who before heading to South Korea taught English in Santiago, Chile.

 

“Instead of Korean – which I only know three words as of now – I keep saying things in Spanish and go to kiss new people on the cheek, which I imagine would be a big taboo here!”

 

Rather than personal contact, there’s a lot of bowing going on – and different bows for different levels of acquaintance.

 

McCutcheon said she realizes she looks quite different than most who live in her city and has gotten a kick out of the fact that some children think that maybe with her “yellow hair” and blue eyes, that she might be Elsa from the movie, “Frozen.”

 

It’s all very interesting and she is grateful to a couple of life circumstances which inspired her to move to one of the far most corners of the world.

 

After her 2009 college graduation, she spent some time abroad, wetting her appetite for a more in-depth knowledge of other customs and cultures. And while spending 10 months in Santiago, she met other teachers who had previously taught in Korea.

 

As did her stay in Chile, her time in Korea is teaching her about much more than meets the eye.

 

“Everyday, I work with children and adults who I cannot communicate with,” she said. “The challenge of finding innovative ways  to learn about each other and succeeding is beautiful. I’ve learned more about myself, where I came from and the English language through teaching.”

 

McCutcheon said another big perk about her job is that it allows her to do some extensive traveling.

 

“While teaching in Santiago, I was able to take some time and travel to incredible places: Machu Picchu, Cusco and Paracas, Peru; Mendoza and Buenos Aires, Argentina; Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia; Bogota, Columbia; San Pedro de Atacama, La Serena, Valparaiso, Arica, and El Quisco, Chile,” she said. “While I’m here in Korea, I have no idea of where I’ll go during my vacations, but I’ve learned to not plan too much. It’s more fun that way.”

 

This weekend, she has ventured to nearby Busan to do some hiking, exploring and to meet some new friends.

 

She is grateful for all of that –and more.

 

“I am also thankful that I worked in a sushi restaurant in college because forks are not an option,” she said.

 

And while she’s teaching Korea’s children, its people teach her, further driving that passion which sent her there in the first place.

 

“When I say ‘hello’ or ‘thank you’ in Korean, the person I say it to acts extremely impressed, like when a baby takes their first steps,” she said. “Their reactions are so genuinely happy and shocked. They inspire me to work harder at learning Korean so I can see what happens when I say a real sentence.”