Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nicholas_chiasson]

-So I've done the first 6 months of my contract, and all in all I'm not very excited about the next 6 months. The novelty of korea has worn very thin, and I'm just sick of life in a town of 3000 people.
-So for all you old-timers, koreaphiles, or just happy people, what do I do? I know next contract I'll be headed to a big city like dong-hae, and teaching fewer school(I cover 4 everything from elementry to HS) and so next September I'm going to have a lot more fun.
-But for now, how can I really make these next 6 working months go by, and recapture some of the fun I had when I first got here?
-Lastly no physical active advice PLEASE. I'm seriously asthmatic and so tae-kwon-do and working out aren't really good options. I'm 4 hours from Busan and 5 to Seoul.

[cbclark4]

Have you considered reading Shakespeare from atop a soapbox in the town square?

[Kimchi Cowboy]

[Are they the lemmings]

nicholas_chiasson: I know this is cliche, but here goes.

The right hobby can give you a new perspective. For instance, if you take up sketching or painting and go out to draw a scene of the town, then although you'll be going to places you've already seen before, you'll have a different purpose and you'll look at those places longer and harder and with "different eyes", so to speak. It can make you notice things you'd not seen before.

Same thing goes for photography, and the same principle can be applied to other hobbies, too. Music: you meet other musicians in the town; driving/riding: you take those side roads you've wondered about but couldn't be arsed going down when you had to rely on the bus; treasure hunting with a metal detector: well, self explanatory, really; poker, bird watching, insect collecting, train spotting, anything... nerdy or cool, a hobby not only occupies your time, it gives you a fresh standpoint from which to see things.

[nicholas_chiasson]

[happeningthang]

[nicholas_chiasson]

But I'm an HOUR south of Samcheok.

[RACETRAITOR]

Well I'm guessing when you chose that secluded location it was what you wanted, so what changed?

[Harpeau]

Usually culture-shock kicks in around the 6 month mark. Hang in there.

[the_beaver]

[Join Me]

I think a few things might help but not sure if you are doing any or all already. If you aren't spending enough time with friends, Korea can get lonely. When you get in one of those moods where you think Korea is out to get you spending the day with a Korean friend will quickly cure that (as long he or she is not a crazy nationalist). Studying Korean is worthwhile despite what many say. It is a great way to keep your mind occupied and challenged. It is also the key to really being able to interact with others in a town like yours. Keeping in touch with family at home is important. Get on "Skype" and you can call as much and as often as you want for free. Even if family doesn't have a computer, you can use Skype to call a land line (very) cheaply from Korea.

Like others have mentioned a hobby is great too. Many instructors know Korea is a great place for photography and it can give you a new appreciation of the country and people. You say you can't exercise but exercise is a key to stress relief and overall well being. It has also been shown to be effective in dealing with some forms of depression. Even if you can only walk, doing a few miles a day (as long as it won't kill you) can make a big difference. I only say this because exercise has gotten me out of more than a couple funks during my time in Korea and really helped me to relieve stress.

Finally, remind yourself how fast the first six months went. When the next six is up get yourself to a city like Busan or Seoul. I am sure others have suggestions but these are some of the things I do and I have managed for four years now. Wish you well.

Ah, one more, staying away from alcohol would be a good thing for many instructors in Korea. It is no fun to wake up in Korea with a hangover and it only makes everything that annoys people about Korea that much worse. But maybe it mixes well with asthma medicine...I don't know.

[IlIlNine]

World of Warcraft?

[Fresh Prince]

I ended up stuck in a similar town and had the same feelings. It could be the natural cycle of things, I experienced pretty much everything you describe. Everything was great for the first 3 or 4 months and time flew by, then maybe at the 5 or 6 month mark everything really slowed down and lost its luster. After awhile, things started to get better again, when the end of the contract came in sight.

Meeting new people would help out a lot...finding Korean or foreign friends would probably be the best bet.

I was going to suggest getting a scooter to ride around on but with asthma, that might not work out.

I agree with the other posters that have mentioned this; exercise in some form will really make a difference, even if it's just walking more.

[nicholas_chiasson]

-thanks for all the advice guys.

[bassexpander]

Different schools and different locations make a huge difference in your experience and overall enjoyment.