Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hello123]

I've been teaching in Korea for about a month now and I still have zero friends in my neighborhood. I live on Uiwang Art Street in Anyang, but I cannot find any foreignors in my area. Fortunately, two of my good friends live in Gangnam so I chill and go out with them on the weekends... BUT I still need to find some friends to grab food and drink with during the weekdays after work. I've been going out to bars by myself trying to meet anyone and I usually just end up getting drunk and trying to talk to Koreans. What should I do? How do I meet people and make friends? Thanks

[Drew10]

I'm sort of in the same situation, only i live in Suwon. I have a friend at Camp Casey that i met when we were stationed together a few years ago, but he leaves soon and with both of our schedules it makes it hard to hang out when i do get free time.

So any good advice posted in this thread i will take to heart as well.

I also tried checking out facebook for a Suwon page but didn't have much luck.

[Kimchifart]

[PastorYoon]

[onlyinkorea87]

Meet Up online...if no group, then I suggest getting a hobby like reading or hiking or biking or something. You must have a hobby to stay afloat anywhere you live. Friends help too, but don't be too concerned, that will happen on its on. Once you realize you might be alone for a little (whatever the time frame), you have to make peace with it. At first it can be difficult--take it from me, I'm an only child [with no family in Korea]. Keep doing what you're doing, go out, travel, have a good time and be merry. Don't get too stuck/dwell on the "I have no friends" because it'll bring you down. I mean you're here to teach and enjoy your experiences!

Hope you find what you're looking for! Good luck!

--Onlyinkorea87
http://www.onlyinkorea87.wordpress.com[/url]

[nathanrutledge]

Hell123, Drew - you guys realize that from Suwon Station to the Sanbon/Uiwang/Anyang/Pyeonchon Station area, it's a 15 minute subway ride, right? YOU TWO could be friends!

But yeah, meet someone online, then go to a bar and meet other people and it snowballs from there. Join a club/organization, stop every foreigner you see on the street and start talking.

[winterfall]

Hanging out with foreigners is alright. Gives you a taste of home. I don't recommend you do it all the time though. Most foreigners don't stay and they don't integrate. 80% of the foreigners I know that stayed for at least 3-4 years always surround themselves with foreigners. They still can't speak a word of Korean much less be able to do anything without the help of their co-teachers.

[hello123]

[hello123]

[hello123]

Thanks for the posts everyone. I appreciate any positive advice from those willing to give...

[cragesmure]

Yeah hang in there. It is nice to have expat friends as well as local friends. A few years back, I stayed in a small city for 6 weeks or so, and I was lucky enough that 2 guys I met in China were living there. There were maybe 8 non-Koreans in the whole town, and if it weren't for my mates from China, I'd never had met them. We had some good times, though. Look online, keep going out. Things will work out.

[northway]

There are a ton of foreigners in that area. There's a foreigner bar (Dugout) a ten minute walk away on hagwon ga where you could meet a lot of people, especially if you go on a weeknight and can chat with the regulars. At the side of the street closer to Uiwang there's a gas station, in the basement of the building next to the gas station you'll find the bar.

I used to live in that area though, and it kind of sucks. It's just boring and inconvenient. I'm happy with my move to Sanbon.

[Drew10]

[northway]

[Drew10]

It's not horribly convenient for me to get to Suwon station to be completely honest. The bus ride there takes me around 20-30 minutes depending on the bus number and traffic.

But...that is probably the most foreigner friendly area of suwon outside of yeongtong which i hardly venture to..minus a bus trip in which i confused the bus numbers.