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Socialising/overcoming isolation in Korea.
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tomorrow88



Joined: 24 Mar 2011

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:07 am    Post subject: Socialising/overcoming isolation in Korea. Reply with quote

Hello!

I am in the process of applying as an ESL teacher in South Korea, I'm very excited but at the same time very nervous!

I've got a really great support network here and I'm worried about feeling isolated in Korea, I've been wondering how others have overcome the culture shock/isolation?

Are there places where 'westerners' can go to meet other people from western countries in Korea?


Thank yoou!

xxx
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highstreet



Joined: 13 Nov 2010

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Itaewon, Hongdae
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toby99



Joined: 28 Aug 2009
Location: Dong-Incheon-by-the-sea, South Korea

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 11:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Most areas with a decent sized expat community will have a local foreigner bar. You'll meet plenty of other noobs along with grizzled long timers who perpetually look like they've just come off a two-week bender. Get yourself some somaek to grease the tubes and enjoy!
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sojusucks



Joined: 31 May 2008

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A lot depends on where you live and what you like to do. Choose your location wisely, (near Seoul and near a subway line), and you will have many more options available to you.
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carleverson



Joined: 04 Dec 2009

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sojusucks wrote:
A lot depends on where you live and what you like to do. Choose your location wisely, (near Seoul and near a subway line), and you will have many more options available to you.


or just get your sense of fulfillment by buying ridiculously overpriced huge quantities of fatty food you'll never eat at Costco.... Laughing
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rchristo10



Joined: 14 Jul 2009

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Recommendation. Calm down and expect less than what you're going to get. In other words, don't think so positive cuz it just sets you up for a really rotten experience. Korea will isolate you and feed off of your positive energy.

If you want to meet people than hang around hongdae or itaewon. If you're pretty good at Korean you can meet me and my friends around Gangnam. Joining a language institute is an assured way of meeting people who are also looking for fun and learning more about Korea.

My recommendation is that you avoid the overwhelming desire to hang out with people with whom you work. Korea has an extremely sensitive nature and coworkers tend to turn into personality detectives at the dinner table. Remain aloof and you'll have no problem dealing with the staff. But aside from that you'll be best to find some friends with whom you can strike up great conversations and dish out your work-related rants.
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sallymonster



Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Location: Seattle area

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are tons of Facebook groups spread around several areas of Korea. There's also Meetup.com groups in Seoul and Busan. Join, talk to the people, go to the events.
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Xuanzang



Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Sadang

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your foreign coworkers might be a good place to start then Facebook, Couchsurfing, Meetup.com and you'll be good to go.
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FDNY



Joined: 27 Sep 2010

PostPosted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you want to have fun with other mightey whities in Korea, then you have to remember one thing:

Remember "Cohiba's Rule" (Now better than ever!):

Think twice before you live outside of Seoul. "In Seoul" and
"outside of Seoul" are like two different countries. Seoul
is an interesting place with variety and venues for most
tastes. Outside of Seoul you will find a homogeneous Korean
culture. I don't mean this in a bad way, but you will never
find things like: French, Greek, Indian or any other ethnic
foods. Markets that sell sherry, pate, pastrami, ricotta cheese.
Specialty shops that sell Cuban cigars, European pies, cold
cuts or rye breads. Just to name a few things. Also clubs such
as photography, drama, public speaking, sailing are 99% in
the capital city. If you want to experiment with a very Korean
culture, which unfortunately means "closed", then choose the
countryside. If you want to make money and have the lifestyle
choices similar to a western country, then there is no other
choice than Seoul.

The FFF RULE: FFF=Fun For Foreigners.

If FFF in Seoul = 100, then FFF decreases at
1/distance. So 2km from Seoul FFF=1/2(100)=50;
10km from Seoul FFF=1/10(100)=10. This rule is
a rule for nightlife, food and foreign products only.
Nature etc. is on a different scale altogether.

This means you will be wasting a lot of time commuting
to Seoul. This is especially a drag if you have been
boozing on a Friday night and there are no buses or
trains.

I, unfortunately, live near Seoul where the FFF factor
is almost in the negative range. I know!
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happiness



Joined: 04 Sep 2010

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cohiba's rule is so stupid in 2011. Maybe in 1995. Ignore that.

There are so many foreigners in Korea now it blows my mind. Everywhere.
You wont be alone. Dont worry, enjoy Korea. You could have a blast
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PardonTheInterruption



Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Canada

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm not a preacher or overly religious or anything, but you can always look into something like a church group. They should inheritly be a 'welcoming' community, and I've seen them do 'fun' things like go on 'field trips' to nice parks and have Korean picnics, etc. It is also possible to find English services.

I'm not in Korea yet, but I've done a lot of research and I've seen some people with video blogs who have done something like this. It may be worth it to you to look at some on youtube, perhaps search for tips on socializing from there.
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Trip



Joined: 28 Dec 2008

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 11:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

People who downplay Cohiba's rule are people who justify not living in Seoul.

OP, check out a Toastmasters club in Seoul or in other cities. www.toastmasters.org has a "find a club" link on the homepage for all clubs in all countries. Most people there are fun-loving folks that do some professional development and networking before they go to the bars, and then they go to the bars.
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psully



Joined: 27 Aug 2009
Location: canada

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 12:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are tons of westerners in Korea, even in the more rural areas. I lived in gangneung, which is a pretty rural city of about 200 000, and there were at least 150 foreigners living there. Unless you are in a small town of say 15 000, you won't be isolated...
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cj1976



Joined: 26 Oct 2005

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Although Cohiba's rule was clearly tongue-in-cheek, there is still a certain amount of truth to it. Korea is all about Seoul - even Koreans know that. This doesn't mean you can't live a full and happy life outside of the capital, but all the best fun for the under 30s is to be had within.
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Busanjon



Joined: 28 Jan 2011

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What do you think the "FFF" will be for me in Uiwang? I'm a train ride away from Seoul and it seems like a decent location. I've never been to Korea and I need socialization to live!
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