Switching Cultures Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Oxford Seminars Blog - Page 2
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Culture Shock! How to Plan for it and Make the Most of Your New Adventure

If you’ve been considering a career abroad, you’ve probably run into the term “Culture Shock” more than a few times. This expression gets bandied about in expat teaching circles quite a bit, but if you’re planning to move overseas for the first time, it’s important to make sure you have an in-depth understanding of this issue. That’s what I’d like ...

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What Teaching in Japan is REALLY like

Japan, for many, fires the imagination in ways that other countries just…don’t. Sorry other countries, but you have a lot to compete with: an epic history, an intricate and well-preserved culture with some seriously deep roots, an amazing and unique cuisine, a landscape straight out of a fantasy novel, and some of the friendliest, most incredible people in the ...

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The ‘New’ Italian Job (and the Pineapple on Pizza Debate) – The Teaching Abroad Pod (Episode 3)

The 'New' Italian Job (and the Pineapple on Pizza Debate) - The Teaching Abroad Pod (Episode 3)   In this episode James and Rowan discuss their favorite (and not-so-favorite) pizzas from around the world, and attempt to spark the great Pineapple on Pizza debate. After the break we learn about the best pastas in Italy, and how to succeed ...

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Teaching ESL in Korea – A Mountain and Beach Lover’s Paradise

Through Oxford Seminars, I was connected to several job placement agencies according to my preferred locations. I ultimately decided to go forward with their recommended public school recruiting agency, who in turn connected me to the Gyeongsangnam-Province Office of Education in South Korea. This decision proved to be one of the best ones I've ever made as I ended up staying in ...

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How COVID-19 Helped Me Decide to Call Vietnam Home

January 27, 2021 The frying pan pops and sizzles, the smell of onions thick in my cramped kitchen. My eyes are teary from chopping as the tiny ding of my phone signals a message: Have you heard about the 80 cases of COVID? It’s a strange feeling, a kind of falling away, as I read the link my friend ...

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Brexit: Will it make it easier to teach in the EU?

  Now that the divorce between the United Kingdom and the European Union has been finalized, lots of ESL teachers are wondering whether it might become a whole lot easier to teach in the EU. The UK technically left the EU on January 31, 2020; however, trade and travel agreements had been in place while the final deal was ...

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Why I love teaching English in South Korea - Video

Why I love Teaching English in South Korea – Video

In this video, Oxford Seminars Grad, Mary, joins us from South Korea to talk about teaching English abroad and why she loves teaching English in South Korea. Want to get started teaching English abroad? Attend a Free Information Session Find a Course Near You Read Some of the highlights from the video below: How Mary decided to teach English ...

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How People Celebrate Christmas Around the World

Dating? KFC? How People Celebrate Christmas Around the World

In North America the Holiday Season often evokes images of Christmas, Hanukkah, and other religious traditions, as well as presents, food, and time off work. But Christmas and other holiday festivities are not limited to North America. Cultures around the world celebrate Christmas and many other holidays as well. Some cultures have been celebrating longer than North America has, ...

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Experience halloween around the world while teaching English abroad

Experience Halloween around the world: teach ESL abroad

With Halloween approaching, costumes, parties, and candy are on everyone’s mind. If you're thinking about teaching English abroad, you may find yourself wondering how you’ll celebrate your favorite holidays after you go overseas, as well as what kinds of new holidays you’ll get to experience. It may surprise you to learn that Halloween is predominantly a North American holiday, with ...

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Living & Teaching ESL in Saudi Arabia as a Foreign Woman

As a woman, when I tell people about my experiences teaching ESL in Saudi Arabia, the question they always ask is “Did you have to cover your face?” They are surprised when I tell them that I didn’t have to cover my hair, let alone my face, though sometimes I chose to cover both. Wearing an Abaya I lived ...

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