Unsoo Jung’s ITT Experience

In this blog post, Internationally Trained Teacher (ITT) graduate, Unsoo Jung, shares his story of coming to Canada. He talks about his experience of the ITT program and living in Kingston. He also provides us with an update on where he is now after graduating from the program in December 2022.

Before ITT

Unsoo Jung is from South Korea and before coming to Canada, he did work in education but not as a teacher. Unsoo worked as a private tutor, an assistant researcher with the Korean Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation, and a union worker with the Korea Confederation of Teachers Association. During his undergraduate degree he was interested in classroom teaching and Special Education However, he struggled with confidence in his classroom management skills and the lack of Special Education teaching opportunities in South Korea. Unsoo and his partner wanted to explore new careers in education and childcare. Thus, his family decided on moving to Canada.

Unsoo came across Professional Studies’ Internationally Trained Teachers program through his research of education programs in Ontario. He wasn’t sure whether he would get in upon applying for the program, but he was accepted! He was surprised and happy to get in, so the preparations for moving to Canada began. Unsoo was mentally prepared to make the move with his partner and their three children. His family had four months to prepare for their move and used an agency to help get their paperwork in order.

He recommends using an agency if applicants aren’t familiar with the process or do not have time to give the paperwork the attention that is needed. He also suggests that families needing daycare place their children on waitlists before moving to Canada so their children can have spots in time for the parents to begin their classes and jobs.

Alongside the excitement of moving to a new country and returning to school, some anxieties came with this transition. When Unsoo and his family arrived in 2021, the two-week COVID-19 quarantine was still in effect. He shares that living in one hotel room with his young children and only having access to takeout food for two weeks was sometimes challenging. Another source of stress was finding housing in Kingston, which he overcame by renting a long-term Air BnB, then renting a home, and eventually purchasing one, which is a process that took them a little over a year.

However, as Unsoo expected everyone here was very kind and polite upon his arrival to Canada, which brought him ease in his transition. He began his studies remotely after starting the ITT program in 2021. Before classes began, Professional Studies hosted an orientation for the incoming ITT students, which helped with Unsoo’s nerves about beginning schooling again. Following orientation, it was time for him to start his time here in the ITT program.

During ITT

Unsoo had a very positive experience while in the ITT program. His favourite parts were his course instructors and his practicum. Part of the ITT program is the in-school practicum placement, where student-teachers can apply what they’ve learned in their classes to educational settings. Unsoo had a unique practicum experience where he had two host teachers.

His host teachers taught and conducted their classes differently, which created more learning opportunities, as it was almost like completing two placements simultaneously. Unsoo commented that after completing his practicum he felt less anxious about classroom management in secondary school settings.

Unsoo shares that the coursework in his classes primarily consisted of preparing lesson plans, making presentations, and short essays. He found this coursework and his overall courseload manageable enough to work while he was in the program. He managed both work and school by focusing on his schoolwork and working a remote job.

Unsoo also really enjoyed what he was learning about, as some of Canada’s education philosophies and practices differ from those in South Korea. For example, he enjoyed learning about Special Education, inclusion practices, and the student-oriented approach to education.

Unsoo’s positive experience with the ITT program extended beyond just the educational aspect; he made new friends and enjoyed exploring Kingston. Due to the small class sizes, it was relatively easy to bond with his peers and make friends. They were able to bond over being teachers and being new to Canada and its culture. One way he and his friends spent time together was by getting together and sharing their traditional foods.

Regarding the experience of living in Kingston, Unsoo found that Kingston had a lot of great parks and many historical sites to take his family to. For example, he took his children to Wolfe Island, toured the Kingston Penitentiary, and often enjoyed attending the Kingston Frontenacs hockey games. With the many connections he made with his peers, having his family there with him, and the informative classes and placement, he had a wonderful experience in the ITT program.

After ITT

Unsoo Jung graduated from ITT in December of 2022 and was ready to put into practice all he had learned during the program, including the knowledge and skills he had gained during his practicum. Unsoo advises ITT students to apply for their Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) certification as soon as all of the documentation is together, as it can be lengthy. Without an OCT, getting a teaching job in Ontario is very challenging, so he encourages those to apply for their OCT while they’re still in the program.

Unsoo also urges current ITT students to consider where they would like to teach after graduating, as bigger cities and remote areas have more teaching jobs available. He also hopes ITT students pursue further education, such as Additional Qualifications (AQs) and Additional Basic Qualifications (ABQs), as this helps improve the likelihood of getting a teaching job. Since graduating from the program, Unsoo has worked as a tutor and teacher in both public and private schools in Kingston and considers the ITT program one of his best learning experiences.

About the Post-Graduate Certificate for Internationally Trained Teachers

The Internationally Trained Teachers Program (ITT) was developed for internationally trained teachers who are certified to teach in countries other than Canada. This unique program offers cultural, educational, and social opportunities. Through our 16-month in-person program, we strive to empower our students with the tools necessary to advance their careers in Canada and make a positive impact on their lives!

Are you an internationally trained teacher looking to start a career in Canada? Visit the certificate page.

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