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Volunteer got his start in La Grange
Pete Richard, a 2008 Hinsdale Central graduate, visits a Korean barbecue restaurant in Daegu, South Korea, where he is teaching English to children.
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Updated: January 21, 2013 2:15PM
LA GRANGE - Pete Richard is eager to see and change the world.
The 2008 Hinsdale Central graduate was recognized in November for more than two years of volunteer service to the Community Nurse Association in La Grange, which provides health care to area residents otherwise unable to afford it. Since graduating in June from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., Richard left Clarendon Hills in November to teach English for a year in Daegu, South Korea. Q. How did you get the position? A. A fraternity brother recommended the program so I went on the website and applied. They got right back to me. Two-and-a-half weeks later, I had an interview and got a job offer. I wanted to go abroad and teach and see a little more of the world.
I am working for ChungDahm Learning’s April program, which includes children ages 8 to 12. Teaching English is not too bad, though like any job, it takes some getting used to. It may be challenging, but some of the kids I work with are just as nice as can be.
Q. What is Daegu like?A.
It’s one of the bigger cities, and I’m in the western part. I’m only a 10-minute walk from my school. There are plenty of restaurants nearby and even an open-air market where I can get plenty of fresh food and other domestic items. I had my first noraebang (karaoke) experience. We jammed to “I Can Show You the World” and “Gangster’s Paradise.”
Q. How has your background prepared you for this job? A.
I majored in French and Spanish at DePauw and understand what kids are going through trying to learn a new language. I studied in Madrid in the spring of 2011. I have a Rosetta Stone program to learn Korean, but I haven’t gotten as far as I would like.
Q. How did you get connected to volunteer at Community Nurse?A.
I volunteered so I’d have a chance to use Spanish, and there were a handful of people I was able to speak Spanish with. Then I had an internship and worked on the administrative side of things. I helped out with anything they needed me to do, like organizing files or merchandise.
Q. Will you join your family for the holidays?A.
I was hoping I’d be able to get away for Christmas, but it doesn’t look like it will work out. That will be a little weird. But I’ll have a lot a lot of stuff going on. It’s nice we have Skype to stay in touch and see each other online. I bought “A Christmas Story” on DVD so I won’t miss the marathon back home.
