Korean Job Discussion Forums

[moosehead]

there's been a few threads recently regarding recent arrivals as well as those who start out saying they've been here a while, etc., and I'm just wondering for those who recognize the signs - when did you feel you weren't a newbie any more?

looking back, I think for me it was well into my second year. I'd accepted a new contract while visiting Vietnam, was flown into Seoul but my visa still wasn't an E2 so they had to fly me to Japan. The school paid for both flights. Then w/i 3 months, they were closed! I opted to live in a goshiwon temporarily while looking for another job. I worked part time at a hagwon and pretty much enjoyed myself even tho I needed to be earning more money and eventually did.

I recall distinctly how at that time, I honestly recognized I could deal with various issues here better than before and I felt a new confidence I didn't have previously. I was no longer a newbie.

So, for others, what was it for you? anything specific, how long did it take? was it a matter of experiences, time, relationships or what?

I'm just curious about this if anyone is wondering - and it might also be helpful to - who else - the newbies on the board

[sheba]

I remember I thought I wasnt a newbie anymore after a few months... but looking back, a few months is nothing!! Id say more like closer to a year if not more... no exact defining point though.

[Ya-ta Boy]

For me, it happened when I went home for the first time (after 3 years) and felt relieved when I got back here. Returning here felt more like coming home than getting home did.

One of my favorite all-time 'conversations' in my life was sitting through a monologue by someone who'd been here 6 or 8 months, instructing me on Korean culture and how to handle life here. I'd been here something like 8 years at the time. When someone is determined to make a fool of himself, I often enjoy the spectacle.

[Cheonmunka]

When you start knowing local people, when people recognize you and greet you and you hold conversations with them.
When you don't get hung up about issues and about your 'otherness.'
When people call you out because of your otherness you talk with them rather than lock it up.

Those to me describe a change.

[dean_burrito]

I was sleeping in a taxi and whoever it was I was with woke me up in a panic, "the cab driver is running red lights!"
I replied "normal" and went back to sleep.

[PeteJB]

[sojourner1]

1st of second year

[nateium]

When I wasn't interested in meeting newbies anymore.

[tanklor1]

I'm still in my second year so my experince my not count but I remember my fist day of my second year at work being instructed by the head teacher on what was expected of me. He asked me what my favorite Korea food was so he could order it. I said Cham Chi Kim Bop. So we went to the nearest place and I walked in, and even though I haven't been in the country 48 hours I went into the old routine of ordering as if I hadn't even left.

[A2Steve]

after my first coteacher, a Scottish 30-something in the midst of a midlife crisis, pulled the midnight runner, and I succcessfully explained to the boss i didnt have anything to do with it.

which I didnt. I still have to live with the mark that she snuck out past my door while sleeping; prior to that I had insomnia. I guess though that sleeping through the night isnt all its cracked up to be here.

[Leslie Cheswyck]

When other newbs started rolling in. But that's not a complete answer. I'd say it's when the newbs start bitching and whinging about Koreans in general, or about a particular situation, and you offer your sound advice --- whose content doesn't involve ripping the boss's head off, or blowing up the school --- and they give you that "you're with them!" look.

Or, conversely, when I explain to the newb --- in ways that would be considered racist, bigoted, ethnocentric, xenophobic, homophobic back home --- just how racist, bigoted, ethnocentric, xenophobic, homophobic Koreans are, I get the "My, how racist, bigoted, ethnocentric, xenophobic, homophobic you are" look.

[PRagic]

When I realized that none of my friends were newbies.

[cruisemonkey]

When the K owners gave me permission to pour my own beer at 'the chicken place' if they weren't there.

[sojusucks]

I realized I wasn't ask green as when I arrived when I knew how to handle various situations that arised. Sure, I am still learning about new restaurants and where to buy certain hard to find products, but I can navigate Korea quite well. I have made a few Korean friends too.

[PRagic]

But can you drink soju? Your name makes it seem otherwise.