Korean Job Discussion Forums

[trevelyan66]

I just came to Seoul to start working at a Hagwon and the foreign teachers in my workplace can be a bit cliquey. I enjoy hanging out with them, but also really want to meet some other foreigners so that I don't come to rely on my co-workers as my only social network/group of friends.

It's especially important at this point to make some foreign friends because I'm still in that phase where everything is new and scary, and it can be a bit lonely at times.

Has anyone else been in a similar cliquey co-worker situation when they first came to Korea? What did you do to make friends outside of work?

[ssuprnova]

Convenience store near your home. The tables outside, more specifically. Grab a beer, sit there and wait for other foreigners to show up. Smooth sailing from there.

Other people might say Hongdae/Gangnam/Itaewon but I usually end up making drinking buddies there instead of befriending people in my area that might want to do something other than get trashed together.

[lille]

When I arrived, I met my first pals through the Seoul Hiking Group http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_85178645485 and a travel group that's now here http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108698559171327 . From there, the usual way. Friends of friends, etc. Lots of folks at concerts like SuperColorSuper as well.

What are you interested in?

[nate1983]

Itaewon's a good place to start.

[robinsoncrusoe]

it's the same here as it is anywhere else: you make friends through sharing/participating in common interests or activities.

but, from my experience, i wouldn't worry too much about this because you will eventually make friends. it might be helpful to accept that this could take some time (ie. not happen right away) but everybody eventually finds a circle of friends one way or another. in about a month, this will be mostly a non-issue for you as you'll be meeting up with friends nearly every night of the week!

even if you're coworkers are cliquey, it doesn't hurt to try to get to know them better. not only do they know the lay of the land better than you, but you can meet other people through them who might be interested in hanging out with you.

[trevelyan66]

Thanks for the advice, guys!

@Lille: I suppose my hobbies are pretty generic: sports/fitness, music/concerts, meeting new people, hanging out with friends. That hiking club sounds cool - I might have to check that out.

I suppose I have been a bit surprised by how many resources I have* found since I actually started looking. Hopefully some of them will turn out to be cool. Thanks for the tips!

[TellyRules986]

You can try going to meetups on the site meetup.com. I've met a few people from there.

There's also the internet. I can say that I've met my entire circle of friends off the internet, plus a few from meetup groups.

I've also met people randomly at bars/clubs. Just put yourself out there. People are really outgoing and easy to meet.

[sirius black]

Its been my experience that co-workers include one into the 'clique'. They usually all came at different times and each one got included. When I've met new people at the bar, ts because they brought their new teacher to show him or her around. Most people remember what its like to be brand new in a foreign country and take pity on new coworkers.
I've been invited to go to the bar by my coworkers when I was the new guy.
This is no criticism of the OP, I don't know him but sometimes you have to look at yourself. If you're a regular, run of the mill guy, coworkers will accept you and bring you into their circle. If you're a bit socially awkward or there is something about you that puts them off or is a bit strange they won't. Again, maybe the current group is just so cliquish they feel they found their ideal number but I'd suggest those cases are the exception rather than the rule.
Generally speaking if you've made friends throughout your life fairly easily or no less than the average person you should do so with your coworkers and others.

[Yaya]

Make sure you make "friends" and not "drinking buddies" as the latter can wear you down pretty fast.

The hobby groups are good and perhaps you can pick up a hobby like badminton or others.

[Illysook]

Think about going to church. Tons of interesting single women with big hearts and high standards...can you live up to the challenge?

[jinks]

Join KOTESOL - check out www.kotesol.org to find out which chapter is closest to you. You will meet other Engish teachers, both foreign and Korean. There's bound to be a few people there who you will be able to connect with socially.

[lille]

I can help out concert-wise a little bit:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_16538070897 indie-ish concerts

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SUPER-C%DB%9EL%DB%9ER-SUPER/125756687454345 indie-ish parties

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=85980836100 noise jams

[joelove]

[quote="ssuprnova"]Convenience store near your home. The tables outside, more specifically. Grab a beer, sit there and wait for other foreigners to show up. Smooth sailing from there.
quote]

I like this advice. If in the right place you can meet lots of people this way, foreign and local. One of the coolest things about Korea is the convenience store drinking, something sadly lacking in China. If you are in Seoul, I'd recommend Sincheon or however it's spelled, near Yonsei University. Met lots of people there just hanging outside a 7-11 having some beers. Easy. Helps to be with a mate in the first place though.

[sallymonster]

http://www.meetup.com/lost-in-seoul