Korean Job Discussion Forums

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

I think it's in the genes.

My folks are always travelling.

crsandus · Joined: 05 Oct 2004

Samantha · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong

Personally I'm a traveller Smile

I'm a military brat for two generations. My grandfather is WWII vet, Dad is Vietnam vet (20+ years in the Navy), Mom is Vietnam era vet, an Uncle is a Gulf War Vet (20 years in the Marines), both brothers went into the Navy (one is working on his 19th year now), and two cousins went military (one in the Marines the other in the Airforce). My parents also left the military to work for the US government, so I'm a gov't brat as well. My parents are constantly moving to a better position or better paying job, which meant I moved as well. Between 6 months and 12 years, I moved approximately 14 times. My mom and I averaged a move every 2.5 years. We didn't land in one place until I was in 8th grade, and unfortunately I've been stuck here ever since.

My grandfather was also one of those people who loaded everyone into the car on a weekend, picked a direction and drove until he found something interesting or decided to change directions. This was an almost weekly occurance. I become very adept at reading in cars Very Happy

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I think part of it for me is that my family is spread out over seven states, so if we want to see each other we have to really make an effort and plan some trips.

My mother makes a joke about me to family and friends. She says that "some people try everything to get their kids to move out of the house, even if it's just across town. What does her kid decide to do, move 5000 miles. She just can't do anything normal Very Happy

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Natalia · Joined: 10 Mar 2006

I think there's nothing more pretentious than the people who say, "I'm not a tourist. I'm a traveller."

Same thing here.

"I'm not an expat. I'm a traveller." Rolling Eyes

shifter2009 · Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Location: wisconsin

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:36 am Post subject:

Samantha · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Location: Jinan-dong Hwaseong

I can't call myself an expat quite yet, I don't leave the US until Sunday, so that's why I considered myself a traveller. I don't think tourist is the right term for long term expats, being a tourist implies a short term visit where you keep yourself entirely as who you were when you entered the country. You go to the standard travel hotspots buy some souveniers and move on to a new country or back home. You don't allow yourself to change so you take on some of the values or views of the country you're living in, though I'm not sure how much of this is too much and you start to lose part of your national identity (though how many people still have this identity?).

Then again I read expat as it's core breakdown a person living outside their homeland/place of birth. To me, that implies that they still consider themselves wholly as part of their home country, but they just happen to be living outside it's borders. If that is the going definition then that is what I would consider myself come Monday. If there is a different definition for it then I am not sure how to classify myself and others.

Summer Wine · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: Next to a River

It is probably a little of both. My family has a history of four to twelve generations moving to different places (though economics may have been the main reason).

Though being born overseas and spending a lot of time living in certain countries has helped improve and refine the travelling bug. The only reason that I have stayed in Korea this long is because I am always choosing a new town and its always fresh and new.

If I didn't move around Korea, then I would be moving internationally and thats still on the cards.

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

bixlerscott · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Location: Near Wonju, South Korea

It's learned, not born, unless of course, your parents moved you around the world all during your years of growing as is the case for military families and some biz people.

skinhead · Joined: 11 Jun 2004

I'd lived in 7 different towns before I was 17. Then we moved to the city. I've lived in 7 different suburbs and two Korean Gu in all the time since, and visited 7 different countries.

Kwangjuchicken?

bixlerscott · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Location: Near Wonju, South Korea

I think it's all learned and yearned for...

bixlerscott · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Location: Near Wonju, South Korea

Yea, personality plays a huge part too in what you want to learn and do...

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Well, I must be the exception to the rule. I lived within 7 miles of where I was born until I was in my 40's. Never had the urge to travel, thought I'd live out my life in my little town...and had only been on a plane twice (round-trip to Atlanta!) before coming to Korea!! My brother went out of the country once (ok...we're not counting Canada here, which is a 3 hour drive from my hometown), and that's IT. Sister, parents, never out of the country. A few cousins have traveled on business, but only one has lived abroad.

Was I bred or born an expat or traveler? Nope!!! Do I love the expat life? Damn right!! And I've introduced foreign travel to both of my sons...one of whom LOVES traveling, and the other doesn't. Not sure what this says...just thought I'd add my 2 won!