ITP - 142 Sofi explores the journey from classroom teaching to international school counseling in Busan, South Korea, where cultural awareness, student wellbeing, and community connection are central to daily life. Sofi shares how her experience during COVID led her toward counseling, how her interest in Korean language and culture helped shape her path, and why working in an international school has felt like the right fit from the start.

The episode also dives into life in Korea as a parent, including the safety, support, and community spirit that have shaped her children’s experience growing up abroad. From raising third culture kids and navigating cultural differences to thinking ahead about reverse culture shock during an upcoming return to the United States, this conversation highlights the personal and professional growth that comes with international education, family life overseas, and learning to feel at home in more than one place.

Chapters:

00:00) Introduction and Backgrounds
(00:45) Sophie’s Journey to Counseling
(03:35) Cultural Connections and Language Learning
(06:37) Life in Korea: First Impressions
(09:32) Family Adventures in Korea
(12:42) Community and Co-Parenting in Busan
(15:46) Safety and Freedom for Kids in Korea
(21:11) Cultural Adaptation and Third Culture Kids
(30:26) Navigating School Life in Korea
(37:47) Reverse Culture Shock and Safety Concerns
(46:50) Language and Communication Challenges
(47:21) Nostalgia for Home and Food
(50:29) Cultural Connections and Small Talk
(52:36) Reverse Culture Shock and Observations
(55:02) Navigating Differences in Everyday Life
(59:14) Embracing Change and Identity
(01:01:01) Preparing for the Journey Home
(01:04:58) Final Thoughts and Advice for Counselors

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The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:

Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw⁠

Signup to be our guest ⁠https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01⁠

Our Website⁠ - ⁠https://www.itpexpat.com/⁠

Our FaceBook Group - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat⁠

⁠JPMint Consulting Website - ⁠https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/⁠

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO⁠

Books By Gregory Lemoine:

⁠International Teacher Guide: Finding the "Right Fit" 2nd Edition (2025)⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

⁠⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

Apps by Greg:

https://apps.apple.com/app/6755244840 1. Who’s That? Name & Face Trainer Nov 21, 2025

https://apps.apple.com/app/6756509803 2. Facetag | Memory Trainer Dec 16, 2025

ITP-141 Caryn Pelletier joins the International Teacher Podcast to share her 25-year international teaching journey across Egypt, Ghana, Italy, Tanzania, Qatar, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Bahrain. She talks about moving overseas as a teaching couple, navigating international school recruiting through Search Associates and GRC, and the realities of hardship postings, expat life, school contracts, and cultural adjustment. The episode also features memorable stories about safaris, police shakedowns, international school life, and how teaching abroad can lead to a life full of travel, resilience, and unexpected opportunity.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction and New Developments

(03:01) The Journey of Teaching Abroad

(04:53) Caryn's Transition into Education

(07:47) Experiences in Egypt

(10:59) Life in Ghana

(13:47) Teaching in Italy

(16:57) Adventures in Tanzania

(19:48) Safari Stories and Reflections

(25:06) The Lion Encounters

(29:36) Adventures in Africa

(32:07) Cultural Experiences in Qatar

(37:12) Teaching Challenges in Egypt

(39:07) Life in Vietnam

(40:49) Navigating Nigeria

(43:14) Transitioning to Bahrain

(44:09) Exploring GRC Recruitment

(50:34) Interviewing in Unique Spaces

(51:22) The Evolution of Recruitment Tools

(52:36) Navigating Job Offers and Interviews

(54:21) Reflections on International Teaching Experiences

(55:15) Essentials for Feeling at Home Abroad

(57:16) Police Encounters in Foreign Lands

(01:01:11) Advice for Aspiring International Teachers

(01:04:51) The Journey of Writing and Publishing Books

-more information-

The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:

Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw⁠

Signup to be our guest ⁠https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01⁠

Our Website⁠ - ⁠https://www.itpexpat.com/⁠

Our FaceBook Group - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat⁠

⁠JPMint Consulting Website - ⁠https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/⁠

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO⁠

Books By Gregory Lemoine:

⁠International Teacher Guide: Finding the "Right Fit" 2nd Edition (2025)⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

⁠⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

Apps by Greg:

https://apps.apple.com/app/6755244840 1. Who’s That? Name & Face Trainer Nov 21, 2025

https://apps.apple.com/app/6756509803 2. Facetag | Memory Trainer Dec 16, 2025

ITP - 140 A Liverpool-born educator who once resisted teaching ends up saying yes to South Korea—and never looks back. Ken Bence traces an 18+ year arc from public-school TEFL to PGCE, then into a fast-growing bilingual school in Shanghai where rapid expansion pulled him into hiring, standards alignment, and early leadership. Seeking the IB bridge, he lands in Kuwait and grows into K–12 instructional coaching with the help of strong mentors, then tackles leadership fairs, multiple offers, and a vice head role that drops him back into China just as COVID reshapes borders and daily life. The journey continues through Shenzhen and Chengdu, a doctorate alongside principal work, and a brief interim senior leadership post in Budapest—plus practical rituals that make each new country feel like home: spices, quality bedding, and a folder of notes that keeps the purpose front and center.

(00:00) Introduction to Ken Bence and His Journey

(02:35) Cultural Shock and First Impressions in South Korea

(06:53) Transitioning to Leadership Roles in Education

(12:40) Exploring New Opportunities in Kuwait

(17:37) Navigating Job Fairs and Networking in International Teaching

(22:48) Navigating Career Pathways in Education

(24:31) Midway-Contact Break

(27:06) Cultural Shifts: Returning to China During COVID

(29:59) Transitioning to Chengdu: New Challenges and Opportunities

(32:55) Career Baby Steps: Progressing Through Education Roles

(34:19) New Beginnings: Moving to Budapest

(36:20) Preparing for Change: Leaving Budapest

(40:29) The Emotional Journey of Teaching Abroad

The International Teacher Podcast is a bi-weekly discussion with experts in international education. New Teachers, burned out local teachers, local School Leaders, International school Leadership, current Overseas Teachers, and everyone interested in international schools can benefit from hearing stories and advice about living and teaching overseas.

Additional Gems Related to Our Show:

Greg’s Favorite Video From Living Overseas - ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWKBwzF-hw⁠

Signup to be our guest ⁠https://calendly.com/itpexpat/itp-interview?month=2025-01⁠

Our Website⁠ - ⁠https://www.itpexpat.com/⁠

Our FaceBook Group - ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/itpexpat⁠

⁠JPMint Consulting Website - ⁠https://www.jpmintconsulting.com/⁠

Greg’s Personal YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1B3Wc0wm6DR_99OS5SyzvuzENc-bBdO⁠

Books By Greg "the Single Guy":

⁠International Teacher Guide: Finding the "Right Fit" 2nd Edition (2025)⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

⁠⁠"International Teaching: The Best-kept Secret in Education"⁠⁠ | by Gregory Lemoine M.Ed.

Featured APP:

https://apps.apple.com/app/6755244840

Who’s That? Name & Face Trainer (Nov 21, 2025 ): For specialists and teachers that can't remember all 180 or more of their student's faces and names. Free. Local Data Only. Greg uses it daily to train his brain on 650 students this year.