an essay for my school newspaper

this is an essay that i had to write [a few weeks ago] for my school newspaper:

It seems like it was almost another lifetime that I left my family, friends, and home in America. Only four short months ago, I was a shy, quiet girl—a recent university graduate—who made the decision to move to Korea as an English teacher because of a passion for working with children to help them learn, grow, and succeed. As I arrived in Korea and stepped out of the plane I was suddenly overcome with nervousness and worry. I began to panic, wondering what I had gotten myself in to, and worrying that I would not be a good teacher or that my students would not like me. I had absolutely no idea what to expect—but the minute I walked through the doors of Buwon Elementary School, I noticed an overwhelming sense of kindness and friendliness from everyone. I honestly could not have asked for a better group of students, teachers, and school staff. I immediately felt at ease, no longer nervous or worried about failure—I knew that teaching was not only something that I wanted to do, it was something that I could do. It was the kindness shown to me by everyone at this school—and especially by my co-teachers—that has enabled me to successfully adjust to life in Korea. Nearly four months after beginning a new life as an English teacher in Korea, I can still say (without hesitation) that I am loving every minute of it!