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nene
Joined: 11 Jun 2005
Location: Samcheok, Gangwon-do
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 Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:52 am Post subject: How to be happy in Korea |
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| If you had to name three things that make for a successful stay in Korea, what would they be? Or what are three mistakes you see westerners making? |
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butlerian
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:56 am Post subject: Re: How to be happy in Korea |
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| nene wrote: |
| If you had to name three things that make for a successful stay in Korea, what would they be? Or what are three mistakes you see westerners making? |
- Open your eyes and be prepared to accept that some things here will not be the same as they are at home, and that that does not mean that what happens here is necessarily worse.
- Try Korean food and accept that you may not like it all at first. Generally, we like what we're used to. It takes time to adapt to new cuisines.
- Get to know the locals. Don't waste your time with the same peeps you've been with all your life. Learn new things. |
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OnTheOtherSide
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:20 am Post subject: |
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Pursue hobbies or do things to better yourself while here.
Hang out with Koreans, get into Korean culture instead of just chilling with a crew of foreigners all the time. Some of the Koreans i've met here are incredibly cool and nice. Don't shut them out, lots of westerners do that.
Smile and make an effort to stay happy and positive. Be a spiritually righteous person instead of a trainwreck. |
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blaseblasphemener
Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Location: There's a voice, keeps on calling me, down the road, that's where I'll always be
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:36 am Post subject: |
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| OnTheOtherSide wrote: |
Pursue hobbies or do things to better yourself while here.
Hang out with Koreans, get into Korean culture instead of just chilling with a crew of foreigners all the time. Some of the Koreans i've met here are incredibly cool and nice. Don't shut them out, lots of westerners do that.
Smile and make an effort to stay happy and positive. Be a spiritually righteous person instead of a trainwreck. |
Wow, you've been here a whole month! and you're already an expert. bravo! |
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victorology
Joined: 10 Sep 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:43 am Post subject: Re: How to be happy in Korea |
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| butlerian wrote: |
| - Open your eyes and be prepared to accept that some things here will not be the same as they are at home, and that that does not mean that what happens here is necessarily worse. |
/as tough as it is sometimes, I think this is the most important factor to being happy in Korea. |
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OiGirl
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: Hoke-y-gun
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:32 am Post subject: |
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Take care of your own housing.
Don't be afraid to enjoy your creature comforts from home.
Don't be afraid to enjoy your favorite Korean things. |
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mrgiles
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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| have a genuine reason for being here, apart from just trying to pay off your student loan or pick up local girls. |
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IncognitoHFX
Joined: 06 May 2007
Location: Yeongtong, Suwon
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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Network, learn the language, try and understand the culture, make a lot of friends (both Korean and foreign), try to make your work situation as comfortable as possible (usually starts happening in your second year)... and presto! You're happy in Korea.
Most importantly, just try to stay positive. That means either A) never using Dave's ESL Cafe or B) never becoming emotionally involved in any of the crap that goes on here. |
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Lekker
Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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Read
Exercise
Smile |
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Gamecock
Joined: 26 Nov 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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Learn to laugh and chuckle about the countless ridiculous things you see and experience rather than get angry. Take a deep breath and realize that many of the negative things that happen to you really aren't that big of a deal...PERSPECTIVE! Focus on the positives.
Get out of that little chicken coop of an apartment and see Korea.
Most importantly...DON'T SPEND YOUR FREE TIME ON DAVE'S!!!! |
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hauwande
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: gongju
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: How to be happy in Korea |
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| nene wrote: |
| If you had to name three things that make for a successful stay in Korea, what would they be? Or what are three mistakes you see westerners making? |
Three things for a sucessful stay in Korea in my opinion are:
find a hobby
find a hobby
find a hobby
i don't know exactly what mistakes other westerners make. |
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eamo
Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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| The question should be how to be happy for just one year or how to be happy for the long term. Two different things. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:29 pm Post subject: |
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- get a job where you're treated like a real teacher.
- make Korean friends.
- learn as much about Korea as you can. |
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aka Dave
Joined: 02 May 2008
Location: Down by the river
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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The most important thing is to have a rewarding, non-stressful job.
The rest is up to you  . |
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R-Seoul
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Location: your place
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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Sleep with lots of Korean women, they're easy take advantage of it  |
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