So I discovered that the Korean healthcare system is very different from our own firsthand last Monday (I know I should have told y'all about it sooner but I've been sleepy [read lazy] and I've written it a thousand times in my head). To make a long story short, I found myself in increasingly intense pain and I knew what I needed to make it better. Home remedies weren't working, so a trip to the doctor it was. But they don't really do private practitioners here. If you're sick you go to the hospital. I knew exactly where the hospital was, I pass it everyday going to and from work. I knew where the Health Clinic for Foreigners was (third floor, friendly lot but don't count on proficient English speakers). I suffered through the weekend and by Sunday night, when nothing had changed other than to get worse, I decided I had to bite the bullet and make a trip into the hospital.
I'll easily admit that I was not looking forward to the trip. Yes, the pain would end, but I've never had a good experience at a hospital (has anyone?). I knew it was going to be a solo trip, and while I do speak some Korean, the extent of my terminology around the topic of hospitals is the word hospital (which isn't very helpful once you're inside).
So Monday morning I get up, I'm nearly immobilized, but I have classes to teach and I can't let the other teachers down. The whole way to school I'm thinking: It's just one class full of second graders then I can leave and get this straightened out. I get to school and I'm going to request an early leave when my co-teacher informs me that there's been a change in the schedule. I was now teaching the other 2nd grade class for the day and at the very end of the day we would have an open lesson (meaning all faculty and parents could attend). So leaving at 10 was out of the question. I threw together a quick plan for my 2nd graders and I knew immediately it wasn't going to be easy. I had been dreading climbing up to the second floor and now I was going to have to sing and dance Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. I made it to the classroom, I made it through the "lecture", and started dancing. It was pretty obvious very quickly that small Korean children LOVE Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. And by love I mean that they wanted to sing and dance to it on repeat for 15 minutes. And they were so happy that I couldn't say no. So I put on a smile and hobbled my way through Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes an ungodly number of times. After class I slunk back downstairs to my desk at the back of the classroom. Luckily, it was Byeongon's day to teach the 3rd graders so I could just observe. After a short while I realized that the pain was gone! Ta-da! Cured by Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes. I was debating calling the whole trip to the hospital off, but I knew if I didn't go things could go from bad to worse.
We succeeded in our open lesson, and when 2 o'clock rolled around I went to the hospital. I found my way up to the 3rd floor, found the Foreigner's Office, conveyed to the nurses approximately what I needed, they handed me over to an English speaking doctor in the office (who knew that Michigan had lakes and black people [where do they learn these things]). He promptly told me I was in the wrong place (go figure) and he had a friendly nurse escort me to the proper office. I went right in chatted with that doctor (who spoke a little less English but we managed), and he wrote me a perscription. After a quick stop by the Foreigner's Office (again), and another friendly nurse showing the lost foreigner where to go, I found my way to the cashier. I paid, received my paperwork, and was given directions to the nearest pharmacy (right next door).
The exact same reason for a visit in the States would take more than 4 hours and would cost at least $150 USD after the insurance company had a whack at it. This trip took a little over... 30 minutes. And my grand total bill for consulting with TWO doctors, an exam, and the drugs they prescribed (an anti-biotic, a pro-biotic, and an anti-inflammitory) all cost me 10,000 won... approximately $10 USD. When Byeongon asked me the next day "How was your trip to the hospital?" I told him it was amazing because it absolutely was!! I still had all afternoon to recover, I still had money in my wallet, and the service was truly five stars. And! To top it all off, on my way home I stopped by a hair salon and played with the biggest, fluffiest, friendliest white dog imaginable, which was exactly what I needed (the ice cream helped too).
I can now say that I have no fear for any future trips to the Korean hospital system. Koreans seem to go there a lot and now I understand why! It's great! I can't believe we can't have something as amazing as this in the states! If you're in Jeju and you find yourself in need of medical treatment I would highly recommend Halla Hospital. You'll be in for a treat!
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