July 2021
This month's voice:
Kara Waggoner, "Into the Thick of It"
Introduction
Lindsay Herron
Editor, KOTESOL Voices
Earlier this month, KOTESOL lost an outstanding leader/member when Kara Waggoner repatriated back to the United States. In this month's issue of KOTESOL Voices, we wanted to check in on her--and also to learn more about what it's like to move back home after so many years in Korea. With her characteristic candor and wry humor, Kara shares her insights and impressions below. We wish her luck in all her future endeavors--and we hope she's able to visit Korea again soon!
Into the Thick of It
Kara Waggoner
As wonderful as my past 8.5 years in Korea have been, the time has come for me to go home. The journey back to the United States was somewhat easy, despite all the changes in the travel industry due to COVID-19. Repatriation has been interesting and at times funny. For instance:
Transportation: Remembering to look for a car instead of a bus number or waiting on the subway train has been an adventure. I always enjoy the extra exercise as I search around a parking lot the size of two or three soccer stadiums for one specific vehicle. Then there’s the size of American vehicles. I forgot how big American SUVs and trucks were. When I first saw the rows and rows of them in the airport parking garage, they reminded me of mini-tanks that the military uses. The SUVs and trucks are at times as large as, or bigger than, the moving trucks I’ve seen in Seoul.
Choices: I always thought myself fortunate to be surrounded by so many mandu choices in Korea. Oftentimes there were so many choices, they took up an entire row in the freezer. Now take that and apply it to every possible item, and that’s how the big-box stores are in the United States. Imagine an entire grocery store aisle (around 10-12 meters long) being devoted to just potato chips. Or wine. Or cookies. I never realized I needed so many options for something like lemonade, but American capitalism and exceptionalism says I do.
Environment: I’m surrounded by trees, water, and fresh air. When I see a slight haze I know it’s fog, not pollution. We don’t have a monsoon season where I live, but I get to enjoy winters where it can easily get down to -20 degrees Celsius with about 40 centimeters of snow.
Language: The good and bad thing about being in an English-speaking country again is that I can understand what everyone is saying, and they can understand me. If you think people doing aegyo is fun, just wait until you hear an entire conversation coming from someone’s iPhone, because of course they’re on speakerphone. Although it is nice that I can say “pop” again and people know what I’m talking about.
Food: The portions at American restaurants could easily feed a small family; but no, that one plate of food is just for you! In addition to your meal being served on a dinner plate the size of a serving platter, one must not forget the unlimited bread, chips, or French fries and free refills on drinks that are included in the price of your meal. There’s also no skimping on the salt or sugar. Remember the sales tax and don’t forget to tip your server.
Overall, I’m ecstatic to be home again, though I miss my friends in Korea. However, I know that Korean BBQ and the Han River will call for me again, and I’ll return with all the excitement of an ajumma on perm day.
About the Author
Kara Waggoner worked at Sookmyung Women’s University in their Young Learner TESOL teacher training program for seven years. For the past sixteen years, she has taught in the United States and Korea, teaching a diverse range of ages and language proficiencies. Her areas of interest include ESL policy, applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, and poverty and its effect on education. You can contact her at kara.waggoner@sookmyungtesol.info.
