Exploring Busan for the First Time<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"\/\/www.oxfordseminars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Busy-streets-and-food-stalls-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>Busy streets and food stalls<\/p><\/div>\n
Busan was the only major Korean city not leveled in the Korean War, so it had developed in a haphazard fashion with traditional houses and twisting alleyways sprawling in the shadows of orderly apartment blocks and tall, modern hotels. Within these streets, I would find many great places to eat, chat, spend leisure time and enjoy Korean culture.<\/p>\n
One of my first \u201cfinds\u201d was a tiny boiled egg and spicy rice cake stall that I passed every day on the way to the middle school where I taught English. I amused the lady working there as I ordered my daily snack and practiced my Korean with her. It was there I first learned how to count in Korean so I could let her know how many delicious rice cakes I had eaten!<\/p>\n
![\"Constructed](\"\/\/www.oxfordseminars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/4459124351_5809aece33_b-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Constructed in 678 during the reign of Silla king Munmu, by the monk Uisang, Beomosa Temple is one of Korea’s best known urban temples. (Source: Beyond Neon<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\nFor a new ESL teacher abroad, nothing could beat visiting a Buddhist temple that was more than 1,300 years old. The serene beauty of the temple was an oasis in a bustling city, with the quiet only occasionally punctuated by the deep ringing of the temple bell.<\/p>\n
When I wanted to enjoy a faster pace, there was always the nightlife along Haeundae Beach, singing karaoke and watching the sun come up with my friends.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"\/\/www.oxfordseminars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/I-know-its-seafood-but-thats-about-it-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>Taste fresh, raw fish at Jagalchi fish market, the largest seafood market in Korea.<\/p><\/div>\n
For a different kind of culture shock, going to Jagalchi fish market<\/a> provided me with more than just the smell of seafood in the air. Within the endless rows of fish tanks, I saw foods I never knew existed and marveled as the legs of a freshly killed octopus tried in vain to crawl off my plate during dinner.<\/p>\nReturning to Basan<\/h2>\n
When I lived in Busan, I was surrounded by construction; new subway lines, apartment towers and shopping malls made the city seem like a work in progress. The pace was dizzying, with much of it uncompleted when I returned home to Canada. I wondered how it would all turn out, and I managed to see the fruits of all that labour when I returned to Busan in 2012.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"\/\/www.oxfordseminars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/The-new-face-of-Busan.jpg\")
<\/a>The new face of Busan<\/p><\/div>\n
Although some parts of the city still had some of that gritty charm I remembered and loved, the more popular districts looked like a city transformed. There was a gleaming skyline overlooking the beach. The world\u2019s largest department store stood next to a futuristic cinema building used for the Busan International Film Festival<\/a> (BIFF).<\/p>\nThe subway system now went everywhere and was as efficient as any in the world. Although I missed some of \u201cold\u201d Busan, there was no doubt in my mind this city had grown up and was as modern and striking as any city I\u2019ve visited.<\/p>\n
Picking up your settled life and striking out to take on a new challenge like teaching English abroad might feel intimidating, but it’s also a life changing experience full of adventure and growth! Oxford Seminars is here to help you make the most of your teaching adventures.<\/p>\n
For more information on becoming TESOL certified, request our free guide\u00a0to teaching ESL in Korea<\/a>.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Busy streets and food stalls<\/p><\/div>\n
Busan was the only major Korean city not leveled in the Korean War, so it had developed in a haphazard fashion with traditional houses and twisting alleyways sprawling in the shadows of orderly apartment blocks and tall, modern hotels. Within these streets, I would find many great places to eat, chat, spend leisure time and enjoy Korean culture.<\/p>\n
One of my first \u201cfinds\u201d was a tiny boiled egg and spicy rice cake stall that I passed every day on the way to the middle school where I taught English. I amused the lady working there as I ordered my daily snack and practiced my Korean with her. It was there I first learned how to count in Korean so I could let her know how many delicious rice cakes I had eaten!<\/p>\n
<\/a>Constructed in 678 during the reign of Silla king Munmu, by the monk Uisang, Beomosa Temple is one of Korea’s best known urban temples. (Source: Beyond Neon<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n For a new ESL teacher abroad, nothing could beat visiting a Buddhist temple that was more than 1,300 years old. The serene beauty of the temple was an oasis in a bustling city, with the quiet only occasionally punctuated by the deep ringing of the temple bell.<\/p>\n When I wanted to enjoy a faster pace, there was always the nightlife along Haeundae Beach, singing karaoke and watching the sun come up with my friends.<\/p>\n Taste fresh, raw fish at Jagalchi fish market, the largest seafood market in Korea.<\/p><\/div>\n For a different kind of culture shock, going to Jagalchi fish market<\/a> provided me with more than just the smell of seafood in the air. Within the endless rows of fish tanks, I saw foods I never knew existed and marveled as the legs of a freshly killed octopus tried in vain to crawl off my plate during dinner.<\/p>\n When I lived in Busan, I was surrounded by construction; new subway lines, apartment towers and shopping malls made the city seem like a work in progress. The pace was dizzying, with much of it uncompleted when I returned home to Canada. I wondered how it would all turn out, and I managed to see the fruits of all that labour when I returned to Busan in 2012.<\/p>\n The new face of Busan<\/p><\/div>\n Although some parts of the city still had some of that gritty charm I remembered and loved, the more popular districts looked like a city transformed. There was a gleaming skyline overlooking the beach. The world\u2019s largest department store stood next to a futuristic cinema building used for the Busan International Film Festival<\/a> (BIFF).<\/p>\n The subway system now went everywhere and was as efficient as any in the world. Although I missed some of \u201cold\u201d Busan, there was no doubt in my mind this city had grown up and was as modern and striking as any city I\u2019ve visited.<\/p>\n Picking up your settled life and striking out to take on a new challenge like teaching English abroad might feel intimidating, but it’s also a life changing experience full of adventure and growth! Oxford Seminars is here to help you make the most of your teaching adventures.<\/p>\n For more information on becoming TESOL certified, request our free guide\u00a0to teaching ESL in Korea<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a>Returning to Basan<\/h2>\n
<\/a>
![\"Brian](\"\/\/www.oxfordseminars.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Brian-Humphreys-4-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n