Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lookingtoteach]

I'm new to Ansan and scared to death. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again...I am scared to death. This is my first time away from home on my own for any length of time (I know it's sad but I hate travelling...I'm here for the money) and I can only find my way from the school I work for to my house. I don't know where anything is by name and only know less than a handful of foreigners (most of them work for my school...okay only three of them). Everyone seems to have their own friends and I don't want to be a leech on anyone. I'm scared to death of getting lost (almost literally...so, don't ask me to travel anywhere by myself to "get over it"), so what do I do? Where do I meet people that are close to my house, know their way around and won't mind to help me for a while. By help I mean, literally take me back to my house from where we are or at least to a place where I know where to get back from. I know I sound like a baby, but I am scared to death right now. Thanks.

Jennifer

[crazylemongirl]

I hope you have been in contact with the people on this thread

Come to our gathering (look at the sticky on the top page) I'm sure if you PM one of our ansan crowd they can make sure you get there.

I have four tips for getting to know how to navigate.

1 learn to read hanguel. It will take you an afternoon to read the basics and practice everyday.

2. Carry a map of seoul. The KNTO has some in this book of things to see and do, they're great (I'll give you a copy if you come to the next gathering)

3. Take the subway. It's not to hard to get lost. They have maps everywhere.

4. Magicial Mystrey bus tours. Once you start feeling more confident abondan the subway for the bus. If you have nothing better to do on a sunday take a random bus and see where it goes.

clg

[nev]

I think you just need to force yourself to be brave. Learn the name of your area or school (or get a Korean to write it in Korean) and go out and wander and if you do get lost just get a taxi back home. It can be scary, especially when it's an alien alphabet and language, but you don't want to spend your year being scared.

And I wouldn't worry about being a "hanger-on" with your fellow English teachers. They'll have been like you, arriving alone in Korea, and should hopefully remember what it's like.

But my advice is, whether you like it or not, you're going to have be brave.

[sistersarah]

there's no way you'll last the year just staying in your little corner. i was kinda like you when i first got here. i had never traveled before, i have the poorest sense of direction, i'm extremely passive, and i'm horrible at meeting people. turns out, korea was just the thing for me.

i remember the first time i ventured out of my little area on my own...to the grocery store. i found it all right (i just had to go straight -- whew). got my groceries. but then, i couldn't find my way out of the grocery store! it was a big one, in a basement, so i got totally disoriented. an ajumma saw the look of distress on my face and tugged my jacket, motioning me to follow her. she led me right out of the store and made sure i got on my way.

i have found 99% of koreans incredibly helpful in times of need.....store clerks, waiters, taxi drivers, random people. actually, they LOVE helping foreigners. when i was learning the subway, all i had to do was stare at a map with a puzzled look on my face and someone would offer help. a couple times, people even changed their own course, to show me the right way.

anyway, i know where you're coming from, but trust me, it's not that scary if you go gradually. and you'll have a lot more fun

[osangrl]

Ya, stop being so shy........go to the gathering, and talk to the people on ur other thread.

Shame on the people at your school, i always took it as my humanly duty to help the new foreigner around for the first week or so, whether i liked them or not.

Sorry your having a rough time, if i wasn't going through some major crap right now, Id take you under my wing myself.

if you need any advice, or anything, questions, or just to talk to another chick, please feel free to email me anytime, Ive been here for 3 years, and am very familiar with the place.

take care, and do write.

[email protected]

[oldfort]

Hi, lookingtoteach, I'm sort of in your boat: I've been here just two weeks (almost, actually), and I'm the only foreign teacher at my school, so I don't have folks to hang out with. So I've been doing a lot of walking around on my time off---I found some hiking trails in the hills!--and I'm not really nervous about getting lost but I'm worried about blundering into a faux pas, like barging into a private place or ceremony or something. And I've yet to take public transport/the subway....

frissons of fear...but I'm looking forward to the gathering in Seoul (I think) in late Jan. Do you know about that?

So, good vibes to you and I really hope you get along well with your fellow teachers. Who knows, but they might welcome your company, actually! Fresh blood/opinions and all that.

Anyway, best of luck

[ohahakehte]

that feeling of complete shock, confusion, of being in a black hole, for me lasted for about 2 hours. it started in the airport in incheon and ended about 2 hours later when i was settled into my apartment. i say let the fear come. you'll learn more about yourself and the world. in such situations i find the fear quickly fades away and opens into an immense curiosity for everything around me.

[kangnam mafioso]

jennifer, like i said before, you're gonna have to chill. there is nothing to be so scared about. like someone else suggested ... carry your address (written in english and hanguel) in your wallet at all times along with some contact numbers (boss, director, other teachers at your school.) if you become lost, simply ask someone or hail a taxi and show the driver the address. it is NOT necessary that you speak or read korean at this point, although learning the alphabet would be advantageous. don't worry ... koreans are very friendly and love to help foreigners and don't expect you to speak korean! also, korea is so safe compared to north america --- almost no street crime exists here! use commmon sense and you should be fine.

by the way, where is ansan?

[Homer]

Lookingto teach,

You are in a different country where you can learn about a different culture. Take advantage of that for pete's sake!

Don't crawl in a shell you won't make it.

Also, whats there to be scared about? Lets say you do get lost. Your not on a island filled with cannibals and predatory animals! You can find your way home, it aint that complicated.

As for making friends, only one sure way to do that: get out there.


There is also the possibility that you are just not made to live in a different country. Your post strongly hints at this. In that case dear, go home!
Money is not that important and there are many ways to earn a living besides teaching English in Korea.

Finally, ever hear of culture shock? You seem to have a massive case of it. That usually passes if your patient and stay active.

[Harpeau]

[crazylemongirl]

oh I forgot one more thing if you have a land mark near your place get something with a map on it for the taxi drivers. Or ask if your school has one. Almost all korean business have a map of where they are.

clg

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

Also, make sure you come to the Daves gathering that's coming up, lots of really great people to meet, very friendly and supportive. Are you prepared to come into Seoul on the weekends, cause there are plenty of people that hang out regularly if you want to join in.