The Emerald Newsletter | Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Spring 2016 | Page 15

Delia is a Sr. Corporal in the Dallas Police Department.

She joined Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. at Alpha Chapter, Fall 1998 and graduated as an English Major from Epsilor Chapter.

Legacy:

Anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor

15

Studying at home to studying abroad

Elizabeth Martinez graduated from New Mexico Sate University with a major in Applied Sciences, Iota Chapter, in 2015 and is currently teaching in Korea as Native English Teacher with TaLK program.

Please provide a brief history/autobiography about yourself -

I was born and raised in Las Cruces New Mexico and graduated from Las Cruces High School in 2007. I

received my Associates degree in Creative Media Technology from Dona Ana Community College and my Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Sciences from New Mexico State University. In 2012 I completed a study abroad program in South Korea at Korea University-Sejong campus.

Tell us a little about what you do:

I am a native elementary English teacher in South Korea. I teach in a small rural community where the opportunity to learn English is not given to most of the students. I create fun and interactive lessons to make learning English fun while creating a comfortable learning environment

How did you get into this career /program?

I always knew I wanted to work overseas, so when I studied in South Korea I met some of the teachers in this program. They introduced me to the program and all the opportunities that came along with it.

Is this a job/career (program) that you’ve dreamed about since a child or was this a career you never imagined having?

Growing up I knew I wanted to work overseas but working as a teacher is was kind of a surprise to me.

Is it what you thought it was going to be? Why or why not?

I knew that teaching English in Korea was going to be very rewarding. What I didn’t know was that I was going to create such a strong bond with my students. Going into school every day seeing the smiling faces of the students having fun and using their newly acquired language really motivates me as a teacher.

What is the best piece of advice every received?

The best advice I was ever given was, “Find something you love to do, and find a way to make a career out of it.”

What would you consider your biggest failure? What did you learn from this?

I think my biggest failure would have to be my first class I taught in South Korea. During the class I spoke too quickly and used big words while I was introducing myself. What I learned from this was to be able to read my class’s expressions and body language in order to see if they are understanding the lesson.

Where can someone find out about your program (or job)?

The website for my program is http://www.talk.go.kr/talk/talk_new/intro.jsp

What were the necessary steps?

The necessary steps to applying for the English program is to fill out the Application on-line, create a lesson plan, 2 letters of recommendations, sealed school transcripts, and an apostilled criminal record check. It is also good to have a TEFL (Teaching English to Foreign Learner) Certificate.

What advice do you have about the program (or job)?

The best advice I could give about the job is to utilize the other English teachers around you, ask questions if you need help. The best advice for in the classroom would be to create a reward system before you even have your first class. Also have your classroom rules be easy and simple to follow.

Is there scholarships that can help with the finances of the program? (if applicable)

This program doesn’t offer a scholarship. As a TaLK scholar you are given free housing for the duration of the program.

What is some advice you would give a sister if they were considering doing a program abroad or working abroad?

For anyone who is considering doing a program abroad I would suggest to always go with the flow. With different cultures and different traditions misunderstanding are bound to happen.

What has been the most difficult transition of living in another part of the world (country)?

The hardest part about transitioning to South Korea has to be the language barrier. Since I live in a very small rural town not many people speak or even understand English. So everyday activities become a little more difficult.

What is something you have learned culturally from this experience?

One of the biggest differences I've come across culturally in South Korea is the level of respect for people who are older and people who hold a higher position then you. If you hold someone in a higher position in Korea you cannot have a “friendship” relationship. In Korea you normally just have friends who are the same age as you. While in the United States you can have a friendly relationship with anyone, despite his or her age.

Have you gotten to experience different traditions? Which one has been your favorite?

Yes, one of my favorite traditions I was able to be a part of is making kimchi with a friend’s family. Kimchi is a fermented cabbage side dish for any meal.

Once a year every family gets together to make kimchi. This tradition normally takes a few weeks to prepare and a whole day to make the kimchi. Being able to take part of this tradition was really memorable.

Elizabeth Martinez - Iota