Korean Job Discussion Forums

[philinkorea]

Okay
Now Im sorry if this post may seem somewhat strange. Actually I love Psychology etc. Anyway, recently I spoke to a guy who was a counsellor here as thats the type of work im interested in myself. We were talking about our characters and he said he thought I was a bit different to the typical counsellor due to seeming quite extrovert. I found it quite a strange statement at first since Id always consider myself to be quite the opposite.

I can see now how Ive really changed in Seoul. From having seemingly this very deep experiences travelling Australia, those open roads etc exploring a personal spiritual world now it all seems so different. Getting more from just being with people, not real quality time alone.

I dont think this is necessarily a bad thing but i spoke to a friend who said felt very similar. The quick pace of Korea, perhaps the culture also, this group orientated rather than more individual western style. Found it all quite interesting

Wonered what you thought??

[Koreabound2004]

Well I am not living in Seoul, but I too am interested in psych, introversion and extroversion.....

I am quite an introvert, by all definitions. I was terrified to teach actually, but I am doing it. It is difficult at times I find, since I feel that teachers natuarally should be extroverts.

I guess as a follow up, I want to know if you think an introvert can be a successful teacher?

I wanted to get in to the field of Soc. Work or Education, and counselling seems to appeal to me....but I now am thinking of a combo, and want to try guidance counselling in schools. Counselling is more appealing to and introvert I believe.

[manlyboy]

Living in Seoul has made me less extroverted compared to when I lived in Jakarta. In Indonesia, everywhere I went people would come up to me and strike up a conversation. Very easy to make genuine friends there without even trying. Building friendships with Koreans, especially Korean guys, is not so easy. I've been here two and a half years, and there's probably only one Korean guy whose friendship I would consider sincere. I know people who've been here for ten years and have never had any male Korean friends at all. I'm less inclined to come out of my shell around Koreans while I'm still getting to know them because a) they may be sensitive types who get offended easily, and b) they may come out of their shells themselves and display some behaviour that I really don't want to see: (One time, I got talking to these two guys in a bar. After just a few minutes, they both stand up and start yanking their balls! Apparently, this was a drunken tough guy way of saying they were lifelong friends. But I didn't know that at the time. I thought I was being propositioned. I'm less eager to strike up conversations with Korean guys in bars these days.)

[philinkorea]

koreabound 2004

you sound really similar to me mate and to have similar interests. I always thought my more introverted style was more suited to counselling. Im not the best teacher but Im prett sound and you just kind of come out of your shell and change and make an art out of it i think.

are you planning to do this counselling education stuff in korea. that would interest me. theres lots of money in educational psychology. i decided i didnt want to be part of england education, or even england at the moment. let me know about your stuff and enjoy korea.

[mindmetoo]

Teaching has made me more comfy in front of crowds. That's for sure. Four years in America made me more extroverted. In Canada, well, Ontario, it's generally rude to just strike up convos with strangers. In Seattle, no one was freaked out by that. At first I was but I got to liking it.

[Zed]

Living in Seoul has made me more beligerent.

[d503]

I'm a die hard sort of introvert. However I generally perform well in front of crowds. I've taught or spoken in front of people since I was young (thank you mother). However, I am extremely unlikely to strike up a conversation with you, I hate being put on the spot in classes, and in all honesty wandering around a park lost in my own world is far more enjoyable to me than mingling with a bunch of people.

That being said I think an introvert can make a good teacher. People learn in all different ways, and require different needs, so I think in the end it matters more whether you are willing to make sacrifices and adapt to your students needs. But I think this applies to both extroverts and introverts.

[Mashimaro]

Koreans seem averse to introspection, probably because it requires independent thinking which is not there strong point.
This has probably rubbed off on me to some extent.. probably a good thing as I was way too introspective before. I feel like I've found a good balance, which I hope lasts

[philinkorea]

[matthews_world]

While living in Korea, I wouldn't say I've been more extrovert, but I've been more forward with people. Asking for help, where can I find this place, etc. I plan to use this newly-learned strategy to my benefit whenever I return home.

[jajdude]

[Derrek]

The Korean guys at my work often gather together weekly to play basketball or badmitten. I just have no interest in it. I tried badmitton once, and those old ajosshis are VERY good. I felt like I was slowing them down so much, and also, I was bored because I couldn't enjoy any deep conversations. I never liked being anywhere more than an hour or two, while they go at least 3 hours or more. Sheer boredom to me -- almost painful.

I've been on a few Korean "MTs" before, and find it easier to communicate with women than men. The men usually don't talk as much (in English), and women are usually better at English. Even still, in Korea, I feel like I just don't relate to staying up until 3:30am drinking soju and eating dried fish (and I HATE fish) then waking at 7am for a mountain hike while smoking a pack of cigarettes.

I must seem like a kind of snob or something to them, and I really worry about that sometimes. I am not really "close" to any guy at my workplace, and tend to socialize with my female coworkers much more (more females know English anyway).

I, too, only have one true close Korean male friend, but he is marrying soon and working day and night. Am making another friend like that, but he lives far away. I could get closer to my male coworkers and build stronger friendships, but I hate how they always ask, "What's wrong?! What's wrong?!" when I don't feel like the staying for the full-day social events that they seem to have. I feel like they assume I just don't like them, which is definately not the case -- I just socialize differently.

I would rather be by myself than commit so much time to things I don't want to do.

[Harpeau]

The majority of counselors tend to have a temperament that has the tendency to lean toward introversion, (INFP is a popular type) though that is not always the case. People who are more introvert tend to make awesome teachers. Reflecting on Introversion/Extroversion Temperament is about where one receives their energy~ when alone, or with others.

Being shy has nothing to do with one's temperament. I think some people who tend to be more Introverted may find Korea somewhat frustrating because they don't respect one's need for space. The two major assumptions that Koreans make~ 1. Westerners do not like to eat alone because they'll be really lonely and terrified. 2~ Westerners love watered down hazelnut flavored coffee, are two erroneous thoughts that must be uprooted from the Korean psyche.

I'm always amazed by many from Britain who enjoy reading a book during the evening. Koreans think that is sick. I think man Koreans need to face their terrifying loneliness - stop projecting it onto us - and transform it into solitude and get to know a rich inner world.

The bottom line is Korea does change us. Let's hope that it in the end it is mostly for the better.

Harpeau

[Tiger Beer]

Teaching English makes you a bit more assertive and extroverted.

[Derrek]