Alumni voices · Since 2006

Real stories from real placements.

Voices from the teachers we’ve placed across EPIK, GEPIK, SMOE, GOE, hagwon, and university programs since 2006. Each story below is shared by an alumna or alumnus — in their own words.

A warmly smiling alumna — voices from Korvia
Cassidy Pautz

China · Korvia → SeaDragon (Shenzhen, 2018)

Journey from Port Elizabeth to Shenzhen, China

In April this year, I quit my job. I'd been working at the same company for nearly six years in my small, sleepy hometown of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and I needed a change. I didn't have much in

Cassidy Pautz

Erica Minix

China · Korvia (Korea, 2014–2015) → SDE (Shenzhen, 2016–2018)

Journey to the Wild Wild East — From Seoul to Shenzhen with Korvia

It's a new year and resolutions all around us. What should you change about your life this year? Where do you want to be in January next year? What dreams are you ignoring year after year as you ring

Erica Minix

Monica Cymerman & Benji Kostenbader

Other · Seongdong-gu Global 2014–2019

From Pennsylvania to Honorary Citizens of Seoul — Monica & Benji's story

We met as seniors at Pennsylvania State University. Benjamin went on to pursue a Master's in Classical Semitic Linguistics at Oxford while Monica taught English in Madrid. After a long-distance year w

Monica Cymerman & Benji Kostenbader

Qadirah Muhammad

EPIK · EPIK 2020

EPIK in Daegu — Qadirah Muhammad's story

**Please tell us about yourself** Name: Qadirah Muhammad Nationality: American Age: 22 Major: Psychology, Africana Studies **Name 3 words that describe your personality** Sincere, quick learner, hard

Qadirah Muhammad

Morgan Power

EPIK · EPIK 2020

EPIK in Daejeon — Morgan Power's story

**Please tell us about yourself** Name: Morgan Power Nationality: United States of America Age: 22 Major: Finance **Name 3 words that describe your personality** Determined, passionate, loyal. **Wha

Morgan Power

Ashley Sayes

Other · 2020

First steps in Cheonan — Ashley Sayes's story

**Please tell us about yourself** Name: Ashley Sayes Nationality: United States Age: 28 Major: Hospitality Administration **Name 3 words that describe your personality** Dedicated, adventurous, enthu

Ashley Sayes

Robert Riley

EPIK · EPIK 2020

An EPIK pre-orientation review — Robert Riley

Before applying with Korvia I spent a long time researching the various forums, agencies, and YouTube videos I could find about teaching in Korea. From my very first contact with Korvia I felt a sense

Robert Riley

Ryan Pudlowski

Hagwon · POLY 2018-2020

Two years at POLY Daejeon — Ryan Pudlowski's story

**Please tell us about yourself** Name: Ryan Pudlowski Nationality: USA Age: 30 Major: English **Name 3 words that describe your personality** Passionate about learning! **What made you come to deci

Ryan Pudlowski

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