Learning the Language of People

I had the good fortune to be able to live and teach English in Korea for almost five years. During that time, I was able to spend travel quite extensively throughout Asia visiting China, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and other places. It was an experience that really opened my eyes to other perspectives and ways of thinking.

Many a kind stranger offered a hand of assistance to me in a down moment even though it was quite arguable that the person who was disadvantaged was not me when considering conventional Western ways of appraising one's status which is based largely on material or financial markers of success. I've had people offer help or food to me when it was clear that they were not in a very strong position to be able to afford to do so. But do so they did and without hesitation. Although we spoke different languages, we were still able to relate to each other.

These experiences deeply impacted me and made me realize that what was lacking in my life was perspective. I learned that our ability to relate to each other would ultimately prove to be far more meaningful than competing with each other to see who can acquire more financial wealth or material goods.

Eventually, the love for travel that I developed coupled with my desire to help people inspired me to start up a company, Premiere English that would give me an avenue to continue my travels via the work I did helping my foreign students learn English.