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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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 Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 8:29 pm Post subject: Is it tough to make expat friends in Seoul? |
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I live in the boonies and I'm the only English speaking person for miles.
I can make it into Seoul easily for weekends but dont really know anyone there.
Is it easy to make expat friends in the foreigner areas in Seoul? |
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Clockout
Joined: 23 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:01 pm Post subject: |
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Yes and No
Yes because there are so many foreigners that you're bound to meet someone.
No because foreigners in Seoul often project an extremely cold image toward other foreigners they don't know. I think others will agree that this strange phenomenom exists.
I think that this cold, hardened image is a defense mechanism for many who feel extremely out of place in Korea. They project an air of stoic confidence to mask these feelings. |
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xingyiman
Joined: 12 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Clockout wrote: |
Yes and No
Yes because there are so many foreigners that you're bound to meet someone.
No because foreigners in Seoul often project an extremely cold image toward other foreigners they don't know. I think others will agree that this strange phenomenom exists.
I think that this cold, hardened image is a defense mechanism for many who feel extremely out of place in Korea. They project an air of stoic confidence to mask these feelings. |
Those are the expats who didn't come to Korea because they couldn't find a job, couldn't get girls (guys) and who never worked jobs flipping burgers.  |
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Amethyst
Joined: 27 Sep 2009
Location: Hwajeong( I hope u like Chocolate)
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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Sometimes it can be a little tough meeting other foreigners..but you just gotta remain steadfast and open yourself up a little..and trust me when I say..that can be mad hard!  but it can be done...
So start off small..Join FB (if you haven't already) and join a couple of groups...Some of these groups have events and meet-ups where you are bound to meet someone..
A few groups off the top of my head:"Foreigners in Seoul", "ESL teachers in Korea", "Every Expat in Korea"...These are a start..and if you are ready to run with the big dawgs..go to some foreigner friendly hotspots..and chat up a few mofos.. 
Good luck, suga |
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Juregen
Joined: 30 May 2006
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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TBH
People who come here to teach English for a year cannot be considered expats.
I am sorry if I offend anyone, but that is how it is. I do not even consider myself to be an expat, I came here on my own account.
Expats are people who were sent by their company to work in a foreign country.
The reason why it is difficult to get into the expat world is because they are workaholics. You need to be part of their world to be able to interact with them. At least send your kids to the school where they send their kids, and even then.
So you are probably looking for fellow foreigners, not expats. |
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Francis-Pax
Joined: 20 Nov 2005
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject: Re: Is it tough to make expat friends in Seoul? |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
I live in the boonies and I'm the only English speaking person for miles.
I can make it into Seoul easily for weekends but dont really know anyone there.
Is it easy to make expat friends in the foreigner areas in Seoul? |
YES! IT IS VERY HARD TO MAKE EXPAT FRIENDS IN KOREA. Not because of a lack of foreigners, but due to the fact that most foreigners that I have met in Korea do share my values and interests.
In the teacher community, it is really difficult. Most of the people are immature and shallow. They are in an extended university party mode. For the more experienced crowd, it is uninteresting.
As I spend more time in Korea became less centered around teachers and more focused on Koreans and other expats. |
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sarahbeara_413
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:40 am Post subject: |
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| Juregen wrote: |
TBH
People who come here to teach English for a year cannot be considered expats.
I am sorry if I offend anyone, but that is how it is. I do not even consider myself to be an expat, I came here on my own account.
Expats are people who were sent by their company to work in a foreign country.
The reason why it is difficult to get into the expat world is because they are workaholics. You need to be part of their world to be able to interact with them. At least send your kids to the school where they send their kids, and even then.
So you are probably looking for fellow foreigners, not expats. |
You're wrong, we are technically expats, look it up.
Anyways, from my experience I find it hard to make friends with other foreigners in Seoul. I've never really gone out of my way to meet other people because I'm a little shy in that regard, but when I go out to the bars it's very noticeable that people have a tendency stick with their group. There are some groups on facebook that you can join, and other websites that have expat meet-ups. If you're looking to make more friends in Seoul, I would suggest starting there. |
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Harpeau
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Coquitlam, BC
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:48 am Post subject: |
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I think it comes down to what you put into the search. You can find people that have similar interests to you. It may just take a little time. It seems the bars can at times be a bit of a headache. The Seoul Hiker's Club is a great way to meet wonderful people. (So sorry to let the cat out of the bag, people.) I really enjoy meeting expats from the four corners of the Earth. Keep an open mind and look at it with a good sense of humor and adventure.
Good luck to you. |
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Xuanzang
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Sadang
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:36 am Post subject: |
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| There`s always Couchsurfing meetups. |
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BobbyOrr
Joined: 01 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:13 am Post subject: |
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| I'd also recommend an Adventure Korea trip. I've only been on one the other weekend. It's kind of a group thing, so it's really easy to approach people and get talking. |
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Juregen
Joined: 30 May 2006
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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| sarahbeara_413 wrote: |
| Juregen wrote: |
TBH
People who come here to teach English for a year cannot be considered expats.
I am sorry if I offend anyone, but that is how it is. I do not even consider myself to be an expat, I came here on my own account.
Expats are people who were sent by their company to work in a foreign country.
The reason why it is difficult to get into the expat world is because they are workaholics. You need to be part of their world to be able to interact with them. At least send your kids to the school where they send their kids, and even then.
So you are probably looking for fellow foreigners, not expats. |
You're wrong, we are technically expats, look it up.
Anyways, from my experience I find it hard to make friends with other foreigners in Seoul. I've never really gone out of my way to meet other people because I'm a little shy in that regard, but when I go out to the bars it's very noticeable that people have a tendency stick with their group. There are some groups on facebook that you can join, and other websites that have expat meet-ups. If you're looking to make more friends in Seoul, I would suggest starting there. |
ex�pa�tri�ate (k-sptr-t)
v. ex�pa�tri�at�ed, ex�pa�tri�at�ing, ex�pa�tri�ates
v.tr.
1. To send into exile. See Synonyms at banish.
2. To remove (oneself) from residence in one's native land.
v.intr.
1. To give up residence in one's homeland.
2. To renounce allegiance to one's homeland.
n. (-t, -t)
1. One who has taken up residence in a foreign country.
2. One who has renounced one's native land.
adj. (-t, -t)
Residing in a foreign country; expatriated
You mean this?
Still doesn't tel me that someone who spends one year in a foreign country is an expat. Can you really say that someone who stays here 12 months and then goes back actually took up residency in a country?
I am a little bit more demanding that that. |
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steveinincheon
Joined: 14 Jul 2009
Location: in The Shadows of Gyeyangsan
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Once you receive your ARC you are a legal resident of the ROK and therefore technically an expatriate. Whether you feel like you reside here or not is another matter completely, but in a strictly technical legal sense you are an expatriate as soon as you are granted legal residency of a country other than your own. |
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DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP
Joined: 28 May 2009
Location: Electron cloud
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject: Re: Is it tough to make expat friends in Seoul? |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
I live in the boonies and I'm the only English speaking person for miles.
I can make it into Seoul easily for weekends but dont really know anyone there.
Is it easy to make expat friends in the foreigner areas in Seoul? |
It's easy as heck, don't listen to the naysayers.
I've made plenty of friends and acquaintences in Seoul by either approaching them and starting conversations or they've approached me and started conversations.
Tons of social meet up groups like these too - I've been to em before and made good friends, gf's, ons's etc...
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=2395367386
http://www.meetup.com/cities/kr/seoul/groups/
where in the sticks are ya....? |
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crossmr
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
1. One who has taken up residence in a foreign country....
Still doesn't tel me that someone who spends one year in a foreign country is an expat. Can you really say that someone who stays here 12 months and then goes back actually took up residency in a country? |
Depending on what the requirements are for residency..
In fact obtaining residency is one of the requirements to avoid paying taxes in Canada.
If your country has a tax treaty with Korea there is likely a definition of what is considered a "resident". Most people meet that.
| Quote: |
| Residing in a foreign country; expatriated |
residing basically means to be living in a foreign country. You have an apartment. You live and work there, everyone does that in their first year. |
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wawawawonder
Joined: 30 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:27 am Post subject: |
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OP asks an interesting question to which he/she hets interesting answers.
Why then does the thread need to degenerate into a tedious argument over the meaning of 'expatriate'? Take it elsewhere! |
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