Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SeoulSister08]

I just arrived in Seoul Friday night. Someone from my school dropped me off at a love hotel and told me that they would pick me up on Monday morning for training. I'm feeling super overwhelmed and a little depressed and I'm not really sure why. I spent yesterday wandering around my neighborhood and today I only left my hotel for meals. I'm really exhausted (from jet leg) but feeling really wired at the same time for some reason and I can't get any sleep.

I want to reserve my judgments until I start my job, move into my own apartment and make some friends, but I can't shake the feeling that maybe this place isn't for me . Last night, before I fell asleep, I felt like I might have a panic attack. I've done a fair amount of traveling and have never had much of a problem with culture shock or home-sickness until now, and I've only been here for two days! I was so excited to come here, but now I just feel empty and alone. Is it possible that jet leg could be responsable for the way I'm feeling? I'm curious to know if anyone else went through a similar experience in their first few days and if it got better. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Perceptioncheck]

Hey Seoulsister - I'm sorry to hear you're having a bad experience.

I was in a similar situation (but in Japan) where I was dropped off at my apartment and left to fend for myself for three or four days. I was pretty green, and everything was a little too intense; I'd never caught a train before, or gone shopping in stores where I couldn't read the names of ingredients, or had to wander around looking for a restaurant with a picture menu.

Instead of being exciting, the whole experience was completely overwhelming. Plus my freaky flatmate locked herself in her room (she did this to all her new flatmates, apparently; she loved to drive people out with her weirdness and get the flat to herself!) which certainly didn't help the whole fish-out-of-water, strangely-disconnected thing.

But then I started training, met some awesome people, and had one of the very best years of my life. So don't despair! Once you have some social contact, get your head around your new living environment and don't feel so alone, you'll feel a million times better.

What part of Seoul are you living in?

[SeoulSister08]

Hi Perceptioncheck, thanks for sharing your experience. I'm living in Songpa.

[fugitive chicken]

Dont worry, this will pass. Once your settled, it WILL get better!! I was lucky, I spent a week with a friend before moving into my city and going to my school, that helped with the transition. Keep going and stay positive, and once you meet people and get a routine going it will get better.

I know people who have felt the same as you on the first weekend, and within 2 weeks are feeling more settled, have friends, and have a strong and steady routine going. It won't be perfect, like any place, and you will have hard days or weeks but it will get better than it is now. Whenever, I've needed help, someone has always been surprised me with their English and led me in the right direction; whether I wanted it or not. Just give it time!

[wads]

Hi SeoulSister - I'm not in Seoul, but I go up there pretty much every weekend. On Saturday, my friends and I usually head to gangnam for a Korean class at 1 (it's free). We usually hang out a bit after. Mostly guys, but there are a few girls as well.

You are more than welcome if you'd like to come out! There are also quite a few people in the class so it's a good way to meet people.

[namerae]

I just wanted to say, I have almost exactly 1 month before leaving for Cheonan and I feel like my experience will be akin to yours. My recommendation? Take a walk around the area, enjoy some new eats, and maybe try a sauna. I heard those are really awesome.

I wonder why they put you in a love hotel? Does your room look as awesome as my imagination wants me to believe?

[Milwaukiedave]

Seoulsister,

I remember my first day/night here like it was yesterday, but that was 6 1/2 years ago. I arrived on a Friday night as well (the 2nd of January though) and was tired. Had to drag luggage up four flights of stairs. The small room in the shared apartment was not much. My other two flatmates were not bad, but both of them were leaving so I never really knew them.

Eventually I got out and learned the subway system and made friends with other coworkers and a few Koreans. I was sick as hell the second month I was here and had to go to a hospital, thankfully I had a Korean friend to help me.

In the end, I stayed and a couple years after I got here married a Korean and now have a better job and more freedom to do what I want.

Hang in there, the first week or two is the worst of it.

[NYC_Gal]

Hey SeoulSister,

I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing some anxiety. It should pass. Many of us go through the same emotional rollercoaster. When I got off the plane, there was a guy waiting for me to take me to my hotel, and I'd been told that I'd be taken to my apartment, so I had to make an important phone call before getting into a car with him. Apparently the apartment wasn't ready.

I'm in Seoul fairly often, so PM if if you want to meet up.

Best,
NYC

[furbyem]

hi im new to seoul too ive been here about one month im in suyu.

very similar experience. I arrived noone to pick me up at the airport instead directions from my school.jet lagged and confused i took a taxi from the airport to the school. big mistake he totally ripped me off.

got into my room,let in by a korean guy who spent what felt like ten hours trying to open my door.room was so bare and clinical.put my suitcase down looked in my bag, the zip and come loose! shit my passport had fallen out!.

i went into overdrive and sorted what i had to do to apply for a new passport ( god bless google).luckly i had all the documents i needed to apply for a new passport with me plus a photocopy of the passport page.

after this I had a melt down, and cried. i literally thought what the *beep* am i doing here. the next day i had to teach. the rest of the week was a blur apart from the crying inbetween lessons,having been told by my school that i could get deported and a black mark on my passport for not having a arc card.

ive been up and down eversince. my school are now refusing to pay me because i dont have a arc card yet, despite the fact i have my passport back and a bank account. so im just trying to get that sorted.

things have got better,the kids are fun ive made a few friends and when ive not been stressed about not being paid n stuff its been fun.im interested in photography and taken few pics looking to get a new lens when i do finally get paid.seoul is a vibrent city and once youve got a social circle there is plenty to do.

i think the key is routine and getting out enjoying yourself. ( which is hard for me at the mo having not been paid n that) but i think you should be absolutly fine.do the things that made you happy at home here, dont let your hobbies slide, and try out new ones.
youve obviously got some go in you otherwise you wouldnt have got here in the first place.
it takes alot of guts to come to korea not knowing anyone,starting a new job,dealing with a new culture and meeting new people. thats more in one go then most people have to deal with in a year.
I keep telling myself that and it pushes me forward. Your obviously a confident advertous individual,this will come through and help you massivly.

as for me ive decided im going back home in nov, at the 6 months mark, but thats another story more to do with things going on at home then korea as a place to live and work.

if you wanna meet up with me then just let me know. ive moaned on in this post but im a good listener too, and it might help to share your experiences with someone fairly new too .also ive been wanting to do a trip to dmz looks like fun

[PigeonFart]

What you are feeling is normal. Especially when you have a fiirst weekend by yourself with nothing to do, other than let negative thoughts fester.

At least for my first weekend i had a group of 10 co-workers (native english speakers) to take care of me. They were a very cohesive group and gave me the best welcome you could want. If i had of been in your situation, i might have had a similar reaction.

Yes the jet lag will be hard for the next week or two. It makes the transition even harder. Count yourself lucky you're in Seoul where there will be plenty of opportunities to meet lots of people.

[NYC_Gal]

My first week I was in "quarantine" at my apartment (I promised to stay close) and ended up getting lost, which is funny now, but wasn't so great my 3rd day here.

If you can, find a traditional market where there are food stalls, get lunch, and watch people. I pointed to what someone was eating and the ajumma told me nangmyeon, and it was one of my staples my first couple of months. You may also find some nice things for your apartment for a cheaper price than at the supermarkets.

[Missihippi]

People helping people, i like this thread.

[furbyem]

...sorry forgot to mention meetup.com tons of different groups meeting up in seoul for everything from clubbing nights to reading groups dont feel alone there are lots of people out there who have been there and new friends to make * virtual hug*

[salgichawa]

[elltotheoh]