So I'm coughing quite a bit and I have been for a week. This isn't exactly a pretty cough- I kinda sound like a barking seal mixed with death. My throat is destroyed and I sound a lot manlier then usual. BUT THATS OK! Why? South Korea.
Yesterday at school my head teacher not so subtly hinted that I should go to a doctor (she said "I'll call a doctor- please go). Thinking that I was sounding better (ha ha) I said that I would wait a few days. After a lovely night of coughing up my lungs, I went to the doctor today. Here's what happened.
My head teacher called ahead and warned them that a waygookin (foreigner) was coming and told them some of my symptoms. Then she printed out a map to the doctor and wished me luck finding it (which I needed since I have no sense of direction). Turns out that I had no reason to worry since I caught a ride to the doctor from...wait for it...a doctor. Every week I've been meeting with someone to exchange English and Korean and he happens to be...wait for it...an ear, nose, and throat doctor. I would have gone to him but my head teacher suggested and insisted on the original doctor.
The appointment took about 15 minutes. The doctors office made me feel like I had either 1.) been abducted by aliens, or 2.) traveled to the future. The technology felt so much more advanced than the States. The doctor sat me down, stuck a tube up my nose to take pictures, stuck a tube down my throat to take pictures, and, my favorite part, they stuck a thin, flexible tube into my nose that continued down my throat to take more pictures. While the doctor was immediately able to see my destroyed vocal cords, it was incredibly uncomfortable. I'm really happy we don't have that in the States.
AND NOW COMES MY FAVORITE PART. The entire appointment cost me 6000 won (around $6) and the 2 antibiotics that I have to take cost me a total of 2500 won (around $2.50).
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| Some medicine comes in small plastic bags. Like mine. |
Why did it cost so little? I received my ARC (Alien Registration Card) and have healthcare through the government. All EPIK teachers apply and receive this card during their stay in Korea. You need it to be able to open a bank account, apply for a phone plan, go to the doctors, and more.
Bonus: There was also zero wait time at the doctors office and I had porridge for dinner (that has nothing to do with healthcare- it's just awesome).
Bonus: There was also zero wait time at the doctors office and I had porridge for dinner (that has nothing to do with healthcare- it's just awesome).
Hopefully I'll be healthy in a few days!
Peace.
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