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cadburys
Joined: 02 Jul 2009
Location: IRELAND
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 Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:22 pm Post subject: Get togethers for TEFL teachers? |
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Are get togethers organised much for the english speaking community?
As a way to meet new people to help settle in etc.?
Would you make many friends working in a Hagwon?
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OnTheOtherSide
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject: Re: Get togethers for TEFL teachers? |
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| cadburys wrote: |
Are get togethers organised much for the english speaking community?
As a way to meet new people to help settle in etc.?
Would you make many friends working in a Hagwon?
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If you want to make lots of friends, make sure the school you work at has other native English teachers.
Last time I worked at a small hagwon where I was the only Westerner, and there were 4 Korean teachers, and it made it hard to start meeting people. But other people I knew who had lots of western co-workers instantly had a circle of friends to go out with. People tend to hang out with the other teachers at their school a lot, especially when new to the country.
For this reason, and for other reasons, i'm gonna make sure my next contract is at a big school with lots of teachers. |
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andz22
Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Location: Wales
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: Get togethers for TEFL teachers? |
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| cadburys wrote: |
Are get togethers organised much for the english speaking community?
As a way to meet new people to help settle in etc.?
Would you make many friends working in a Hagwon?
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I'm sorry but why bother in going to korea just so you can hang out with fellow english speakers? but I just love that, Irish ESL  I met a scottish one last november, didn't understand a word he bloody said!
But if you must hang out with fellow goobers then just go to any bar which you think looks westernised, depends on where your going in korea, itaewon is your best bet.
p.s. I replied to your other message on the travel forum, about flights from ireland. |
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OnTheOtherSide
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject: Re: Get togethers for TEFL teachers? |
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| andz22 wrote: |
| cadburys wrote: |
Are get togethers organised much for the english speaking community?
As a way to meet new people to help settle in etc.?
Would you make many friends working in a Hagwon?
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I'm sorry but why bother in going to korea just so you can hang out with fellow english speakers? but I just love that, Irish ESL I met a scottish one last november, didn't understand a word he bloody said!
But if you must hang out with fellow goobers then just go to any bar which you think looks westernised, depends on where your going in korea, itaewon is your best bet.
p.s. I replied to your other message on the travel forum, about flights from ireland. |
Last time I was in Korea I hung out with almost all Korean people, I barely made any western friends, which was cool, but it's also cool to meet some people who grew up in the same country as you, who are in the same situation as you are.
It is easy to feel lonely and isolated in Korea, and meeting other people who are in the same situation as you, with the same job, dealing with the same challenges, and on the same journey can make you feel really good. Most Koreans can't really relate to the challenges and stresses we go through like other Westerners can, and it feels great to be able to vent with someone who understands, and hang out with people who can be like a support system in that way. |
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Snake Doctor
Joined: 14 Jul 2009
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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It's good to make/have friends from your own neck of the woods. OP, don't let anyone tell you any different. Experience the culture, make Korean friends, but don't think that "experiencing culture" means isolating yourself from otherwise productive and healthy relationships you can cultivate during your time in the Korea. You can learn a lot about Korea from them as well.
PS I know an Irish veteran of the Korea teaching wars, pm me and I'll try to set up a dinner/beer meet when you get here.
And if you can bring a bottle of Redbreast with you, you'll have a friend for life (I'll pay you handsomely for the cost)
Cheers |
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kinerry
Joined: 01 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:29 pm Post subject: |
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| What's the point of moving overseas if you are just going to make friends with people who look like you? |
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Oreovictim
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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Sure, you can make new friends at a hagwon. So some people say that you should work at the ones with lots of foreigners. That works for some people, but I'd go crazy if I had to work at a big hagwon with a dozen foreigners or so.
I've met some outgoing types who (for some reason) see the good in everyone. You could put them in a room with 10 new coworkers, and that person will make 10 new friends. Just given my personality and my past experiences, I'd meet about three who would turn out as good friends, five who are so-so, and two who would get on my fvcking nerves. Something like that, anyway.
Anytime I meet foreigners who work at big schools, there's too much pressure to hang out. I can understand once in a while, but it's usually more than what I'd like. "We all agreed to hit the foreigner bar/go hiking at Seorak-san/look for the lost Goonies treasure, but Mr. Anti-social doesn't want to join us." |
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kinerry
Joined: 01 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Oreovictim wrote: |
Sure, you can make new friends at a hagwon. So some people say that you should work at the ones with lots of foreigners. That works for some people, but I'd go crazy if I had to work at a big hagwon with a dozen foreigners or so.
I've met some outgoing types who (for some reason) see the good in everyone. You could put them in a room with 10 new coworkers, and that person will make 10 new friends. Just given my personality and my past experiences, I'd meet about three who would turn out as good friends, five who are so-so, and two who would get on my fvcking nerves. Something like that, anyway.
Anytime I meet foreigners who work at big schools, there's too much pressure to hang out. I can understand once in a while, but it's usually more than what I'd like. "We all agreed to hit the foreigner bar/go hiking at Seorak-san/look for the lost Goonies treasure, but Mr. Anti-social doesn't want to join us." |
qfft |
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definitely maybe
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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| kinerry wrote: |
| What's the point of moving overseas if you are just going to make friends with people who look like you? |
that's ridiculous. putting your idea to practice, there's no point in me moving to denmark or norway just because i look scandinavian. way to shove your foot in your mouth. |
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Emeliu
Joined: 31 Mar 2009
Location: Korea, i'm OMW
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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| kinerry wrote: |
| What's the point of moving overseas if you are just going to make friends with people who look like you? |
Why do so many towns in America have subcultural areas designated to them? Like China Town, Little Tokyo, Korea Town, Little Poland (medieval architecture in the heart of Chiago.. weird), etc. Its how we survive when we are thrust unto a culture we are not used to. |
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OnTheOtherSide
Joined: 29 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Oreovictim wrote: |
| Sure, you can make new friends at a hagwon. So some people say that you should work at the ones with lots of foreigners. That works for some people, but I'd go crazy if I had to work at a big hagwon with a dozen foreigners or so. |
What is bad about working at a big hagwon with a dozen foreigners?
I'm curious because i'm thinking about working at a place like that. What do you not like about it? |
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tiger fancini
Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Location: Testicles for Eyes
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Emeliu wrote: |
| kinerry wrote: |
| What's the point of moving overseas if you are just going to make friends with people who look like you? |
Why do so many towns in America have subcultural areas designated to them? Like China Town, Little Tokyo, Korea Town, Little Poland (medieval architecture in the heart of Chiago.. weird), etc. Its how we survive when we are thrust unto a culture we are not used to. |
At the end of the day, generally speaking, people stick to their own kind. It's human nature. Multi-culturalism is a great idea in theory, but it's worth remembering this human characteristic. |
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AgentM
Joined: 07 Jun 2009
Location: British Columbia, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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| tiger fancini wrote: |
| At the end of the day, generally speaking, people stick to their own kind. It's human nature. Multi-culturalism is a great idea in theory, but it's worth remembering this human characteristic. |
It depends on the people too, after a generation or two in the country people from immigrant families have often adopted most of the ways of their new country. Not everyone from ethnic group x just hangs out with their "own kind". Also, some immigrants come to new countries more open minded, and others don't. It just depends. |
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Oreovictim
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| OnTheOtherSide wrote: |
| Oreovictim wrote: |
| Sure, you can make new friends at a hagwon. So some people say that you should work at the ones with lots of foreigners. That works for some people, but I'd go crazy if I had to work at a big hagwon with a dozen foreigners or so. |
What is bad about working at a big hagwon with a dozen foreigners?
I'm curious because i'm thinking about working at a place like that. What do you not like about it? |
As I mentioned - Anytime I meet foreigners who work at big schools, there's too much pressure to hang out. I can understand once in a while, but it's usually more than what I'd like. "We all agreed to hit the foreigner bar/go hiking at Seorak-san/look for the lost Goonies treasure, but Mr. Anti-social doesn't want to join us."
If you're thinking about working at a big school, go for it. That type of gig just isn't for me. |
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