Korean Job Discussion Forums

[teachingld2004]

Please don't take this is the wrong way, but....
Everyone came here for different reasons. Make the best of your year.make the most of your year. Of corse you are home sick, if u weren't, some thing would be wrong.
You left some one you love at home. If your love is strong enough, it will last. You have the phone, and the internet. You can get a video cam. You can get a calling card, I get "best usa" for 13,000 won you get 4 hours.
You can save money. You can experience all this country has to offer. Do u have a digital camera? Take a zillion pictures, put them on "shutterfly" and share them with your family and friends. Take the bus and just get on it and see what you can find.
I know you feel this way, but you are only here a month, give yourself the gift of the rest of the 11. You will go homewith a great experience (or even a lousey experience, but an experience) and you will have memories to last a life time.
But under no circumstances are you to feel sorry or doubt yourself.
You made a decision to come here, stick by it, and have a great time.

[Demophobe]

Stop doing what makes you sad. A simple, but effective credo in life.

If you are determined to make a go of it here, then stop doing what makes you sad. Hanging out alone, listening to sad music or music that you listened to back home, writing too many letters....you have to thin the tie a bit....not cut off, but not so strong.

Let go of it for a while and see how it feels to not carry that baggage around. Your home, beau, friends and family will be there when you are done.

It's funny, but you may find upon your return home that the only thing that really changed is you.

[mack the knife]

The working on Saturday thing is what's killing you. Seriously. Frankly, you NEED 2 days a week to recouperate(sp?) from the 5 other days. When I was doing the hogwon thing I tried teaching a few classes on the side on Sat. for some extra green. Lasted about a month.

If teaching on Sat. is not an option in your position, you should seriously consider finding another job here in Korea (you'll get over the homesick thing, don't worry). Yes, you signed the contract knowing you would work weekends, but you couldn't have forseen the mental toll it will take on you.

[marista99]

[rapier]

There are certain things in my life, that if I thought about for too long, would kill me. I'd be suicidal within a few days If i dwelt on some things from the past.
I know what makes me happy and positive, and I know how to encourage and motivate myself. It take a while to develop this skill, a sort of interior dialogue, you could say.
But after living in foreign countries most of my life, it becomes easier.

[captain kirk]

If one thinks about something to do, eat, see, whatever, then one does it ASAP, right? Once it's on your mind you're THERE. Consider, then, the useless function of being homesick. Or it's like this; middle schoolers in class looking miserable, pinned to the desk, idlly doodling and wishing they were somewhere else, anywhere. They aren't living, whooping it up, making the best of what's happening or what they've got (their abilities, their humour, their zest). Nope, they sure aren't. Also consider that being here is something different! You aren't there, you're here, and it's completely different here, a whole new world. Catch up to that reality and you'll be fine. Also think about how much the folks back home envy you for being able to experience such novelty on all fronts. It appears to be truly a once in a lifetime deal to their eyes. Home is where it's interesting. You have to admit it's interesting here, a month in. Wake up out of the bad dream and give yourself a pinch. You're on your own and anything is possible now. Repeat ON YOUR OWN. That's good!

[deeluvskitties]

wow, amazing, positive reply. i love what some people on dave's can do! its so refreshing.... i hope this helps our home sick gal - it helped me and i don't even feel totally home sick. just gave me perspective on things (ie. maybe i'll try to make the most of teaching screaming kindy brats tomorrow and pushy elderly ladies on the subway - at least i'm experiencing something *new*!)

thanks.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Miss L wrote:

[Miss L]

"No adventure comes easily. The hero in the action flick always has problems to overcome. That is what makes it an adventure. A pleasant walk in the park where nothing happens is just that--a walk in the park." (Sorry don't know how to do the quote thing yet).

Everything you mentioned in your reply I completely agree with. I really do but sometimes when things are tough, faith is lost. My friend and I talked about things and we decided that no matter what or how tired we are after work we are going to go out atleast for a couple of drinks. For one it's fun and for two, it's a distraction for the meantime. Next week I am joining a gym so that will occupy my mornings. I went out last night with friends and I felt much better than the first night I posted. Like I said, when things are good, they're great, but when they're bad, they only get worse. So my goal is not to let myself get to that bad feeling. I'm trying to be tough and not feel bad for myself. I have always thought that what does not kill you will only make you stronger. Your quote is just funny because that is exactly what I would have told someone like me and it's usually what I tell people when things are tough in life. Right now I am just having a harder time believing some of my mottos. For example, if something is easy, it's not challeneging enough and it won't give you more drive. Things have to be hard in life or else we would walk around not longing for anything. We would be goaless. I dunno, it's weird because some days I can find the answers and other days I'm feeling sorry for myself. But today is a new day and a new week and almost a new month. Trying is what I will do. Thanks for the amazing advice. Any advice is welcome at any time. I'm lucky to know that so many supportive, experienced, and mature people chat on Dave's. Thanks!

[T-dot]

being homesick is temporary.

after a while (length depends on the person and situation) the time flies by.

the "can't believe so and so months have gone by" statements will slowly start creeping in.

[everydavid]

Today is the day I landed 3 years ago, kind of a milestone I guess. I had planned on it be��ng a 1-2 year thing but as time goes on, my stay does too.
When I first came here, I can remember waking up in the morning and feeling great, the in a few moments I realized that I was in Korea – DAMN!! I felt like Capt. Benjamin L. Willard from ��Apocalypse Now�� when he woke up and said ��Saigon, shit, I'm still only in Saigon. Every time I think I'm gonna wake up back in the jungle.��
Korea it is always different from back home wherever you came from, gets easier��

[Miss L]

Hi everyone-- Things are getting much better....to the point where I am frequently enjoying myself and starting to have more moments of "feeling at home". I really appreciate all the advice everyone has been so kind to lend. I would only hope to do the same one day for a "newbie". I hope things continue to improve...I am confident they will!

Thanks!!

[Ya-ta Boy]

Glad to hear things are improving. Hope that trend continues.


Just a thought on the gym/drinking every night plan. Lots of gyms are open late at night. If you find one of those close to home, you might want to do that most nights rather than drink. Exercise is a healthier way to burn off the stress than alcohol. However, alcohol is tastier.