Turning a Dream into Reality: Nicole’s Teaching in South Korea
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Not everyone gets the chance to go on a year abroad, but that doesn’t mean we stop dreaming about international experiences.
One regret Nicole had after leaving university was that she had never travelled abroad. She heard exchange stories from friends at university, but the opportunity never lined up for her.
Still, the desire stayed. She wanted to explore the world, challenge herself, and do something meaningful beyond the classroom. So instead of letting that dream fade, she found another way forward, Global Volunteering with AIESEC.
For Nicole, South Korea wasn’t just a place she’d always wanted to visit. It became the setting for real responsibility. Through the Youth 4 Impact project, aside from teaching English, her primary role was to teach children about the Sustainable Development Goals and how young people in South Korea can contribute to achieving them.
One of the most memorable moments came right at the start. Meeting her experience buddy at the airport in Seoul, after only chatting on WhatsApp, felt less like meeting a stranger and more like reuniting with an old friend. When visiting a new country, it’s only natural to feel the uncertainty of the unknown- and by having a dedicated buddy, Nicole was secure in knowing she wouldn’t be alone in this new country.
The real challenge came at the youth centre. Nicoleworked to foster English fluency with young children who were completely new to the language. Kids find it hard to communicate at younger ages, never mind in a different language and Nicole found that progress with them wasn’t instant.
But through her determined effort, patience and teamwork with her aides, she was able to make a difference. She experienced a new sense of pride and delight when seeing the fully articulated sentences exclaiming many thank-yous.
The way she communicated to the locals, the way she enjoyed the moment with other volunteers through Global Volunteer has impacted herself so much.
Through Global Volunteering, Nicole gained:
Through this experience, Nicole had gained so much more impact to herself and to the world.
That’s the beauty of Global Volunteer with AIESEC. It turns missed opportunities into meaningful journeys.
If you’re in the UK and looking for international exposure with real impact, Global Volunteer could be your way forward.
“From this experience, I’ve made lifelong friends and understood how education really impacts people. I wouldn’t have been able to do this in the UK nor my hometown (Hong Kong) and I definitely would recommend this experience to my friends as well.”
Memories
