Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jillbean1217]

Jesus, people, give the girl a break! I haven't even left the states yet, and I am sure that my experience is going to be quite similar. Now, I know that you are all very self-sufficient, intelligent, non-whiners, as you so eloquently prove yourself to be time and time again on the board, but don't jump all over her! If she wants to complain, let her! Is there anyone holding a gun to your head and making you read her post? No! I think the people here could use a huge helping of "if you don't have anything nice to say..."

Anyway, OP, I wouldn't worry about it. Just try to take a breath and realize that you are doing far better than a lot of other people would be in your situation. I spent the summer in France last year and had less severe problems but stressed out even more than you did. Everytime I went to the grocery store I had to ward off heart palpitations. Everything takes getting used to, and once you acclimate, you'll be able to look back on this and laugh. I'd, for one, would love to hear more about yoru experiences--don't worry about venting here, personally, I think it's good to hear what other people are going through. Besides, we all have those days when we just need to vent, and I think that your experience in Korea so far has given you that right. Everyone just needs to remember that such a huge shift in environment and living style is bound to stress others out. Just relax and pay attention to the nice people on the board, there are a few, I think.

[kingplaya4]

Kentucker's posts are way better.

[lithium]

[Kikomom]

Sorry Lith, that is THE WORST pickup line I have heard in a LONG TIME.

But Nolie, the caulking story is a gem. Bet you've watched your share of the Home network, eh?

[wylies99]

[Starla]

To the OP, sorry to hear about your troubles but they will get better in time. I think you're just going through the first stage of culture shock. Maybe it would've been a good idea to read up on Korea before you came and speak to some Korean people beforehand. At least you would have been prepared a little bit for what's to come but I guess what's done is done.

I just went on vacation to Korea for two weeks...a country that I thought I loved...from a distance. Well, I got lost several times. At one point, I wanted to magically fly back home ASAP because I was lost and alone in Busan because my Korean friend had abandoned me. I was on the verge of tears. I couldn't deal with how hard it was to do the simplest things because of the language barrier. I couldn't deal with the lack of foreigners either and was desperately searching for a non-Korean face in a crowd. I had heard that Korea was homogenous but walking around in Seoul, it only hit me then just how homogenous it is. I felt silenced and couldn't even make small talk with people or mutter even a word if I didn't meet one of my friends.

Then I met some people who spoke English and the world opened up to me. I plan to make learning Korean a priority when I'm there and will start classes as soon as I can. I recommend it for meeting other English speakers too. I have a couple of foreigner friends in Korea already that I made during my vacation so I think I'll manage okay but I would be kind of scared to go back not knowing anybody myself so I sympathize with you. Like another poster said, talk to Korean men. They will be interested in you just because you are a foreigner and will love the damsel in distress thing. Many will gladly help you and perhaps even show you around. It beats spending your time alone and anxious.

In spite of all the difficulties I faced while I was on vacation, I still want to go back. Some of it has to do with the one or two friends I have waiting there for me and some of it has to do with my appreciation for the culture but I think you have to have one of those two factors to really enjoy your time there and not want to run back home. I wish you good luck and it may get bad before it gets better. But Korean people in general are warm and kind so they will help you even if you don't ask. Be very thankful you're in a country like that.

[Kikomom]

A lot of what you girls write is what I remember of living in Spain twenty-five years ago. Trying to buy toilet paper and light bulbs at the corner Ma and Pa store. Wasn't doing those charades, so customers would go out on the street to find an english speaker to translate. I still love spanish people to this day, and italians, and greeks. There are so many beautiful people all over.

Just not always everyone is, so use some caution in your acquaintances. You'll get the vibes and know.

If you want a great novel to take along on the plane ride (laptop battery'll only get you so far), James Michener's The Drifters. About draft-dodgers and other assorted expats in Europe, Africa, and beyond. Wonderful...

[brento1138]

And I thought Kentucker 4 was my fav. poster. Looks like we've got a new one!!

Korea can definitely seem a bit confusing if you run out there suddenly, not knowing the language or how to read, or how things work here. I think for a new person, it all builds up into a confusing mess! And you can go crazy... hehe. Without a foreigner friend to guide you along, it's pretty easy to get lost and it takes much longer to enjoy yourself. Meet some people on this board, chill with them, learn the language, ... take it all in slowly.

There's this book I read... the words on the front say "Don't panic!"

[A2Steve]

[brento1138]

^

I bet she has hot water, but doesn't know it. Cuz it is all in a control panel on a wall, in a language she doesn't understand...

Hey, nolegirl. Check your wall for a panel. Push the big button on it. Then play around with it until u get hot water.

Hope I solved one of ur problems.

[hugekebab]

Nolegirl,

you have to give yourself time to adjust, you have to accept that you are feeling disorientated and shit right now. it will all start to become normal, but it will take about two months before you dont feel zoned out.

I sympathise with the bread craving, just go to a supermarket and buy some comfort food even though it's expensive, it helps at the beginning.

its not your fault about the food, Korean food is patently a shit cuisine. In my experience, Korean food is the worst food I've ever had as a general national cuisine. Even seafood lovers (which I admit, I'm not) find that Koreans manage to butcher seafood by the way they cook it. It's not their talent.

Some of the more neutral food that are easier on noobs are dolsot bibimbap, doncas (unhealthy and not even Korean), bokumbap (possibly the weakest fried rice I've ever tasted anywhere in Asia; these guys really can't cook for shit) Gigae (they ruin it by putting spam and instant noodles into it) and there are others, but these are the least offensive. It's like if you are stuck under 5 tons of farm machinery and in blinding agony and really, the best option is to saw your leg off with a blunt pen knife;that kind of sums up these foods. The food is something that makes me not want to re-sign next year.

Try the Japanese restaurants, they are a bit more expensive but a lot more palatable.

If you go to the American and Australian restaurants then you will get very fat so avoid these.

Try buying veg from the street markets and cook your own fried rice and stuff.

[DrOctagon]

[aka Dave]

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

[jajdude]