Korean Job Discussion Forums

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I think most of the people I know back in Canada would not fare so well over here for long. I think it would freak them out. Hell, it freaks me out often enough. I do know some who have come over, but most I think would balk at the idea, or probably not want to remain here long. I have to say I wouldn't recommend the country either.

Korea Newfie · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Newfoundland and Labrador

I remember meeting up with a university friend of mine, who graduated a year after me, in Seoul once. I recall saying how I thought it was so cool that she packed up and left to come all the way over here all by herself. She said, "Isn't what what you did last year?"

Oh yeah... Embarassed

A lot of my friends back at home say they'd "never be able to do that." Doesn't seem like that big a deal to me though. Even when I was making plans to come, it seemed cool, but not as amazing as some of my friends at home make it out to be. Ain't nuthin' to it but to do it.

Crois · Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 8:56 am Post subject:

Yeah i know what you mean but there are lots of different types of people out here. Maybe it helps that you are really outgoing and crazy.

I always think my friends wouldnt be able to cope out here but i came out here with no knowledge etc

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Yeah alot of my friends couldn't do this.
The standard question i get at home is "how can you do it?".

I just say well, "get a visa, buy a ticket(or get a free one Wink

), get on the plane and BINGO about 12 hours later I'm there. its very easy".

I think my friends at home think I've lost it. Basically since high school(9 years ago) I've changed but they haven't. 2 of my friends would have a ball over here I think but the rest would get huge culture shock.

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

Most people I talked to think I'm on some amazing journey to an english country teaching English...one white person who stands out as a unique representation of western civilization, which is obviously a gross misconception. Most people have a realistic understanding, since I've done my best to describe it, but still think I'm crazy...

One friend plans to visit for about 2 weeks, because he's intrigued by the culture and wants to get drunk in an unfamiliar locale. Fortunately he's a very open-minded and civilized person.

Korea Newfie · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Newfoundland and Labrador

Eazy_E · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Location: British Columbia, Canada

I was motivated by lack of money.... I had just graduated and my student loans were due to start collecting interest in a few months. I'm sure this isn't unfamiliar to any of you. Being penniless can really push you to take a plunge like this. Besides, I wanted to work overseas somewhere.

Anyways, a lot of my friends think it's a really cool thing for me to have done, and they like the emails I send out. But I've described the isolation and language barrier to a few of my closer friends, and they don't sound too thrilled by that.

Takes a certain type to do it. I think we should all be proud in a way.

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

It takes a certain type to willingly leave the familiar behind. Also its an intensely personal decision. I have acquaintances in Canada I think might thrive here but I'd never try to sell them on it. Its easier to roll with the setbacks & frustrations if you come of your own volition -- not on someone else's say-so.

I guess theres a temptation to take some pride in successfully adapting to life in a very different culture, but really we're just engaged in the same mundane acts of waking, working, eating, entertaining ourselves, & sleeping as those 'back home.' Arguably we're just pretenders here establishing simple routines on the edges of a culture we dont really understand.

Its a fun challenge if you like that sort of thing but there are different types of ambition. I have friends in Canada rising to the top of their fields, & that kind of success depends on intimate knowledge of how the system works at all levels. I think generally most of us lack that here. Living & working here will certainly change & broaden a person, but its not everyone's idea of advancement.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

How can people live their entire lives in the same town, working at the same place, with the same group of people, worrying about their car payments and pension scheme?

What we're doing, living in a new country and exploring the unfamiliar, has come to be pretty normal to me. Its those that don't break away that are wierd to me now. They are seriously deficient people in my eyes.

Coming and living in korea is no huge achievement, anyone could do it if they put their mind to it..
What I don't understand is people who don't have ,the desire: to try new things, new situations and new places...

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Though it may seem boring to remain at the same place always, around the same people, same job etc.. it probably feels safe and secure too I guess. I think most people could barely conceive of just packing their bags and going to the other side of the globe with a totally foreign language and culture waiting, unless maybe they had no real good reason not to give it a try. I think some people think I am insane to be here. Others make the comment like it's just a long vacation or something, or that perhaps a year is plenty of time to become fluent in the langauge and familiar with all the culture. These are the people I find irritating. Generally they are ones who never spent more than a week or two anywhere far from home. Or perhaps the ones whose life vision of travel is going from one state or province to another. In their defense, however, the US and Canada are pretty damn big. It would be like a Korean going across China.

katydid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...

My father tells me he's scared to go into Atlanta. What do you think? Smile

The Man known as The Man · Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:09 pm Post subject:

katydid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...

My dad had sme kind of accent, but it wasn't really all that Bostonian. He's probably got a Southern one now, or is well on his way to having one.

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

To the OP, no, no one I know could handle this, but then again they wouldn't want to, and don't have a reason to.

My brother went to NYC from New Zealand when he was 25, no contacts, just a bunch of dreams and energy. He had to ride as a delivery boy for the first 6 months, and that was through the winter. Now he's an art director on films and ads, NEW YORK CITY!!! I think what he's done is ten times more amazing than what I've done.