Korean Job Discussion Forums

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Was just wondering....

How long was it before you started experiencing culture shock?
And how long did it last?

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

It was worse when I got back to Arizona. Reverse c-shock babe.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

There are several views and several threads on culture shock. You might want to browse through the various threads to get different opinions.

One view is that it hits around the second or third month. Symptoms: irritability, aggressive anti-Korean feelings, generalized negative thinking about Korea.

Mine hit at about month 4 and lasted (in the serious form) for about 6 weeks. I stayed 10 years and it came back from time to time, especially when I was tired.

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

the early morning subway rush gives me culture shock everyday.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I still get it all the time.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I only get it when I go outside!!!! Laughing

Seriously, If you're walking around muttering, "stupid Koreans this, stupid Koreans that", then you have culture shock.

Try reading that book "Culture Shock" by that guy whose name I forget and whose book might not even be in print anymore!! Very helpful, I know.

agraham · Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Location: Daegu, Korea

Never had it. My first six months was like an endless honeymoon. I guess I was just so happy to get away from my boring life as a computer programmer.
I still really like it here. I wish I could stay longer, but it's time to get back to the real world.

tomato · Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 2:39 am Post subject:

It's never been a major problem for me, because I have a mild case of autism.
What difference does it make whether I'm a stranger in a foreign country or a stranger in the country where I was born?

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Css · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: South of the river

Not had it yet...at least i dont think i have.

canadian_in_korea · Joined: 20 Jun 2004 Location: South Korea

When I first arrived in Korea I thought it was the greatest country in the world...month 4...BAM...hit me like a brick. It lasted until the day I left Korea, I had some days there that were worse than others but overall it was pretty consistant. When I got back to Canada I had no problems whatsoever, no reverse culture shock at all.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I got it during month three. My roomate was a cheapo and kept mooching everything off me. He was 50 and trying to make his retirement money. His view of Korea was totally bad and it finally rubbed off a bit on me. The fact that I had a girlfriend helped a lot though. I guess it was more of my roommate giving me bad vibes about Korea than Korea itself.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I have never had it.....

I have my bad days but that isn't culture shock.....just having a bad day.

I travelled a lot beforehand so i suppose I knew some of the circumstances I might be getting myself into...

I like living here most of the time and have adjusted to it well, it has its good and bad points just like anywhere else

Zark · Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 5:17 pm Post subject:

My first year in Africa - I hated it! True culture shock, but then I was one of maybe 10 white faces in a town of 50,000. Second year - loved it! Since then - Korea twice, Taiwan, Thailand and Saudi Arabia. Some c-shock in Saudi.

Generally, once you get used to living in another environment - I don't think it is c-shock as much it can - at times - be the frustration from dealing with things - that are easy to deal with back "home" - but quite difficult where you are.

In Saudi - the work to get a driver's license - for me anyway, was like the work to get a BA. Getting my motorcycle registered in Thailand was another adventure. These are all things that would not be difficult back home, but when challenged by language and bureaucracy can be real hassles.

But, then, no matter where you live there will be frustrations and problems - 'tis life.

My latest big one was finding a new flapper thing to fix the d*mn toilet. . .

winnie · Joined: 08 May 2005 Location: the forest

Don't know if any of you can relate to this or not...

but sometimes if I am walking alone outside...and I look around, sometimes it really hits me as to where I am...and I think about how far I am from home, and how everything here is still so foreign to me.

It really freaks me out when this happens, makes me wanna run to my apt, and pretend to be back home.

My heart starts to race, and I feel overwhelmed. I think that's gotta be culture shock.