We learned today via Korea Beat of an American hospitalized in Seoul, who is currently being denied the surgery he desperately needs because of his rising medical bills.

Matt Robinson, an expat teacher, recently had a bacterial infection excised from his leg. Now, he is struggling with complications from the medication, surgery and a pre-existing deep-vein thrombosis. The hospital has determined that closing the gaping wound in his leg is an “elective plastic surgery”, and, given his 16,000,000W medical bill (~$13,000.00 USD), they have refused to treat him without full payment upfront.

Because of Matt’s recent patella injury, we are all too aware of the fear one feels in a foreign hospital. We will divert any donations we receive toward helping Matt Robinson pay down his medical bills and raise the funds he needs for surgery. We urge you to donate here, or by clicking the green donation button at the top of our website. Please stay tuned for more updates as they become available. Click through to read the details of Matt’s predicament from his fundraising Facebook group.

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This week I have learned a little bit about what English words and phrases Korean children are most likely to know.  I thought I would share the wisdom.

Things Korean children are more likely to know in English:

Hello!
Colors (red, yellow, blue, etc)
Numbers (1-10)
Fuck You
Kidneys (really just that one child)
Harry Potter
Break Time
Water
Bathroom

Things Korean children do not know, at all, ever:

What’s wrong?
Why are you crying?
Please stop crying
It will be ok
Don’t do that
Stop
No
That hurts me/other children
Stop/Don’t/No hitting/screaming
Quiet
Stop talking
Sit Down
God help me
Just stop fighting/screaming for three minutes and then class will end

Just a heads up for anyone planning on being around or teaching Korean children.