Korean Job Discussion Forums

Bobqb · Joined: 08 Jun 2006

Hey, just wondering if anyone has ever done a homestay while living in Seoul? Any wisdom to pass on? I'm considering a homestay and was hoping someone could offer up some pros and/or cons of this type of arrangement.

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

Don't do it!!!!!! Whatever you do, don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ScottyG · Joined: 09 Jun 2006

depends on who you are i guess. if you like unwarranted attention and want to live like a highly respected lab rat, or love explaining "what this expression means," then go for it. if you want to eliminate a few or more things from your life which bring a great number of western males to korea, then go for it. i think your level of freedom would be the main question. if, one day, you didnt want to eat kimchee and instead wanted to hide in your room with a pizza, this might be seen as an insult. there are lots of countries i'd consider living with a family (anywhere in SA, Europe, even Japan), but Korea is not on that list for obvious reasons.

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

I can't speak from experience, but I've never heard good things about homestays. And I can imagine why. Korean people, god bless them, are very nice but very insistent about people being members of groups. If your personality doesn't jibe with the family, then you'll be wanting to get out of the house a lot, and they'll be insisting that you to eat dinner with them and crap like that.

And at the end of the day, they might be wanting their money's worth when it comes to English education. It might not be like when a Korean visits america and the family just wants to hear about their culture. There might be some expectations about you talking with them and letting them practice their conversation skills. Koreans smell english learning opportunities like sharks smell blood.

elynnor · Joined: 08 Feb 2006

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

OiGirl · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: Hoke-y-gun

I've had some great homestay experiences and some horrid. I think the two most important characteristics in a homestay family are:
1. They have lived in your country or another western country for a while themselves and understand culture shock and some of the weird things you might do.
2. They are ready to accept you a a fully-functional adult, not an overgrown child that needs taking care of. I've already got one Mom, I don't need another!