Korean Job Discussion Forums

KwardBound · Joined: 04 Jul 2010

What country and city are you from?

What is your cultural upbringing?

interestedinhanguk · Joined: 23 Aug 2010

I'm American.

As for the foreigners in this country...

Well, the English teachers are from US, Canada, UK, Ireland, South Africa Australia and New Zealand.

There's people from all over in SK. The biggest groups are Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Russian, Japanese, Mongolians, Nigerians, plus groups mentioned above as well as expats from Western countries and more.

KwardBound · Joined: 04 Jul 2010

Thanks for your reply. I made this thread more as a counterpoint to the other thread on this page made by the guy who says he doesn't like the foreigners in Korea.

I am born and raised in New York City.

My mother is from South America and my father is Caribbean. They don't speak English, so I guess you can say I was raised up in Latin American culture.

SLK · Joined: 08 Aug 2010

I'm from Ireland, born in Belfast but lived in Donegal and Galway since I was 15. I have been currently living in the UK for the last 4 years.

I've lived all over Ireland, and travelled a fair bit. I went to a Rudolf Steiner School until I was 15 and as a result have always been fascinated by the World out there, as you get to meet so many people from other countries in a Steiner school.

I'm getting ready to come to Korea, and expect to be there hopefully within 8ish weeks.

SLK.x

Steelrails · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System

Do yourself a favor and focus on the culture of the locals and trying to get to know them. That will do far more to help your stay here. With other NETs here you'll be able to get to know them pretty quickly and things will be 2nd nature.

D.D. · Joined: 29 May 2008

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

SLK · Joined: 08 Aug 2010

HA! I've been to many other schools and university since...I am well aware of the what differences between a Steiner education and any other - especially mainstream, whatever the country - education system are!
It's funny that still today Steiner kids are viewed as not quite the full shilling/somehow unable to grasp what is intrinsically different from their experience. Smile

I guess I think any child who comes through a Steiner education and does not know that instead of comparing the education you received to what you experience elsewhere, either as a student or teacher - you could use what you know to enrich the experience for yourself and those around you...well, they've kinda missed the whole point of their own education?!
Obviously, as a teacher of English in a foreign country - and in a private hagwon moreso, you must stick to their rules, textbooks and timeframes.
But your character, viewpoint, mindset and intentions are solely set by you and you alone.

My desire to move to Korea, to experience more of what I yet haven't, and to continue learning through life experiences/cultural differences is precisely why I have started on this path...
The OP asked for cultural upbringing - that was mine.

SLK.x

SLK · Joined: 08 Aug 2010

Ah, I should have known! Why, that razor-sharp wit is unmistakeably a Norn Iron trait! Wink

Pleased to meet ye, mucker! (admittedly, I have barely any trace of my Belfast Brogue...but I can still pull one out of the bag when the need arises!)

I've been living here in Brighton for a few years now, and thanks to PaulbloodyRankin, Saino's here now stock soda AND potato bread...I will miss them when I go, you're right...they're me hangover food!

Now...Tayto's....I moved to Donegal in my teens, then spent 7 years living in Galway. I must admit, I acquired a taste for King Crisps - ironically, which were made in Donegal. Over the border, Mr. Tayto looks like this

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/Mr_tayto.jpg

...and I do notice a difference in the crisps...

I guess what I'm trying to say...to, ..confess is...I'm a traitor! (or Taytor if you prefer?)

Yup! I'd love to know more about your experiences! Do tell! I am a relative noob round these 'ere parts, so I'm not yet in the PM realm...
Where were/are you in Korea?

SLK.x[/url]

SLK · Joined: 08 Aug 2010

....and, you can see why I'm a noob right ^there^...

Nice bold font, SLK....

Rolling Eyes

Louis VI · Joined: 05 Jul 2010 Location: In my Kingdom

The questions feel like those on-the spot sidewalk Korean uni student surveys.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Hey SLK

I've been living here for 10 years now. Met my wife here 6 years ago and seemed to just never leave! I enjoy it. There's something in the Irish and Korean character that goes well together.....They share some of our traits......

I live in the Bundang area now.....just southeast of Seoul.

........don't think I've ever even had Kings crisps......despite going to Donegal and Galway a few times.......I only seem to remember the inside of pubs!!

oldfatfarang · Joined: 19 May 2005 Location: On the road to somewhere.

SLK · Joined: 08 Aug 2010

Oddly, I think the Irish see lots of themselves in cultures they dig Wink

Ok, I may be slightly biased in that being Irish I naturally would say that we are generally a rather genial lot, and as long as there's a bit of craic to be had, sure, we'll give anything a go!

10 years, eh? Fair play! Have you married a Korean woman or a fellow NET? My friend from Omagh was in Bundang for a year a few years ago, and she quite liked it.
I'm pretty much done here (UK) myself...I was bitten by the travel bug fairly late in comparison to many others, but I guess I want to see/do more before I make any *big* decisions...at the risk of sounding like a yawn-some "one of those"! I'm taking my first year contract and am quite happy to let the tide take me for a while... Smile

....Surely the best place to experience good crisps is inside pubs?!

SLK.x

SLK · Joined: 08 Aug 2010