Korean Job Discussion Forums

[turtlepi1]

Don't get me wrong...it's a pretty good place to be as far as Korea goes.
Hitting the three month mark though and the girlfriend is getting a little stir crazy. I'm not sure you would call it "homesickness" but as she put it the realization that she is not an "adult" in Korea is really eating at her.

(As for me, I am not an adult in ANY country so I feel at home here. )

She is learning Korean quickly (far quicker than I) but to get to a point where she can really interact with Koreans on a social level is a long way off. We haven't met a lot of foreigners here and we aren't big drinkers so I guess I am looking for some suggestions on fighting off the 3 month blues.

I only expect it to get worse when Christmas rolls around though we are looking at sneaking away fora vacation. Usually once a month we try to get away, stay at a nice hotel, etc, etc...

[Swiss James]

there are loads of foreigners in Anyang though have you been on here?

[turtlepi1]

Yeah I've stumbled acrossed it in the past but it hadn't been updated in a while. I thought it was pretty inactive, but I noticed some activity this time around...Thanks for the pointer...

[Koreabound2004]

Having the same issues....my bf and I are nearing the 3 month mark as well, which is supposed to be the most difficult time.

We bought "stockings" the other day(Korean house slippers that look like elf boots, in red), and hung em up for Xmas....and are busily planning our winter vacay...but other than that, things suck.

Be glad there are some foreigners to interact with, here, it's just US.


Any other suggestions for getting over this hump/hurdle?

[Swiss James]

yeah what is it about that 3 month stage? I think the best thing is to treat yourself to lots of western stuff- download some good TV shows or order a DVD, eat some comfort food, pretend you're not in Korea, post a thread on Dave's that goes something like

"What's with Koreans always wearing white gloves? God they disgust me- I wish they were all dead."

[Koreabound2004]

[Swiss James]

It helps if you've got something to look forward to, any chance you can book a vacation in a few months or so?

Oh, and call home for sympathy. Pure unashamed sympathy.

[captain kirk]

If you're out in the middle of nowhere, and open-minded enough to take up the sport of throwing boomerangs, which I make, send me 5,000 and I'll send you a beginner model. It's like 'playing with a trained falcon'. Onlookers think it's 'real adult', too . But seriously, it 'aint a lot to give something a try. Give it a whirl, see the buy and sell thread.

[animalbirdfish]

have you traveled much in korea? the country's so small that almost everywhere is alright for a normal weekend trip. if you like hiking try songnisan, sobaeksan & danyang city, and juwangsan.

or check out andong, gyeongju or the DMZ (call the USO).

just stay busy and the time will fly.

trust me, though, living in anyang is not the problem (i live out there myself nowadays). it's not a remote place. you've just hit the ol' wall.

and yeah...take that winter vacation.

[Apple Scruff]

1: You're here as a couple.

2: You're not big drinkers.

Conclusion: You will never make friends.

















































































And by , I mean that you will never make friends.

[turtlepi1]

Yeah...the drinking thing is a problem.
If I had of came here right out of university I would probably been out ever night. But I guess I've sort of outgrown that stage of my life.

Not that I mind going out for a beer or three.

In three months we have been to Busan, DMZ, throughout Seoul (markets, Palaces, Museums, etc) spent some time at the racetrack, been hiking, etc, etc.

We are quite busy. I think the biggest problem is we work different shifts. I am free in the daytime and she is free in the evening...things always seem gloomier after a busy day.

I'm sure we will figure it out. It's mostly that I didn't see it coming as she had spent a year in Japan previously.

[peemil]

Be cool mate...

After 2.5 in Korea years I don't know any other way to survive but keep as busy as possible. Busy, busy, busy. Don't let yourself sit down, don't stop, work on everything and anything, study something, work some more and exercise.

That's all I ever seem to do. It's the time that I stop that I start thinking about how much I really miss home after a good six years overseas.

[animalbirdfish]

Yeah, the exercise is a good idea. There's a decent-to-good gym in the same building as the Outback restaurant near Beomgye station. A fair number of westerners work out there at various times, myself included, so you might meet someone who's into more than just drinking. Plus, it really helps relieve the tension of working and living in a foreign country. PM me if you want any more info.

[turtlepi1]

Ironically enough, that is the building I work in.

[rok_the-boat]

There is a Taekwondo club near Pyongchon Station and they also have Aikido club in there sharing the space - with a few foreingers.