Meyer family plans move to Seoul, South Korea Amanda Meyer will teach high school biology at Asia Pacific International School
“I am extremely excited to be starting this next chapter of my teaching career,” says Amanda Meyer, science teacher at Springfield High School, who recently resigned her teaching position here for new experiences in South Korea.
“I traveled internationally in high school and college and always knew I wanted to teach abroad someday,” she said during a recent interview. “However, I also wanted the experience to be at the right time for my family. Now that my sons are almost 9 and 12, my husband and I thought it was the perfect time to take them to a different country and experience a completely new culture. Personally and professionally, I’ve always embraced challenges, continuous learning, as well as trying things that are outside of my comfort zone. My choice to teach in a different country did not surprise the people who knew me well. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for our family.”
Amanda and Dan Meyer and their sons, Egen and Quinn, will be living in an apartment in Seoul, South Korea. Amanda will be teaching high school biology at Asia Pacific International School, a private high school structured very similarly to high schools in the United States. Many students from Asia Pacific International School end up going to college in the United States. The students and staff all speak English, and the school year goes from mid-August to the beginning of June.
Her contract is for two years, with potential for more years depending on how the first two years go.
In November, Amanda sent in her educational and teaching credentials to the University of Northern Iowa, host for a recruiting fair held during the winter for hundreds of international schools. “Before the fair, however, I started interviewing via Skype with schools that saw my application and were interested in hiring me. AIS seemed like a really good fit for me as a teacher, as well as for our family,” she said.
Despite its proximity to North Korea, Seoul is known as a safe city with an excellent transportation infrastructure. The country of South Korea is geographically unique, having both mountains and beaches all within a small area. “My family is also excited to learn more about Asian cultures and sample ‘real’ Korean dishes,” Amanda said. “My husband and sons have already started learning to read and speak Korean.”
The time seems right for the Meyers. “Dan and I wanted our sons to be old enough to remember the experience, but not too old that they are entrenched in their own activities and social lives here in the United States,” said Amanda.
“We are hoping our sons come away with a more global perspective of the world and deeper appreciation for the importance of different cultures and ideas,” Amanda continued. “Professionally, I’m also hoping to broaden my experiences as a teacher, continuing to improve in my craft as I meet new educators and students who will challenge my own learning.”
“Initially, Egen and Quinn were a little sad about leaving their house and friends (and cat) here in the United States. But as we discussed it more, their excitement grew. They are looking forward to exploring a new country, especially the natural aspects of South Korea. Strangely, the boys are also already talking about how much fun the 16-hour plane ride will be,” said Amanda. “We are hoping to travel back to the United States for a month or so next summer to visit friends and family, and this makes them view the move as more of an ‘extended family vacation.’” The complete story can be found in this week's Springfield Advance-Press.