Korean Job Discussion Forums

MollyBloom · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Location: James Joyce's pants

Ahh! I feel like I am going to explode! This place is so cool. My boyfriend and I got here Thurs night, a sucky 24 hour plane ride from NY, but it has been good since. The experience:

So our director's nephew picked us up from the airport, and brought us to our apt in Daechi. It's nice, a little small, but we are going to make it cozy. I actually like it a lot, and the neighborhood. I have only seen a couple more foreigners. We live about a 10 min walk from Hanti station.

The next day, we went to our school for a few hours to observe classes and meet the staff. I love the school. They gave us a very good first impression, and I hope that positivity continues on for the duration of our job. Our director is such a nice lady, and she seemed very excited to have us. The teachers are cool too..a few foreigners, but the Koreans were super nice. Everyone was helpful and informative. We had some issues with our apt at first, like needing directions to the Korean appliances, door key code, etc, and we got them promptly. The students at the school are very smart and advanced, and they are hilarious. Although we work Mon-Sat, it's laid back, and we only teach a few 45 min classes a day, but awesome pay and 8 weeks vacation. It's also a few min away from our apt.

I haven't had culture shock, and actually I am really comfortable here. I guess because I am extremely familiar with Asian culture and people, so I don't feel like an outsider. If people stare at me, I smile and bow my head, and they usually do the same. What has surprised me the most is the kindness of the Korean people. I have had nothing but helpful strangers! My boyfriend and I were coming back from the E-mart, carrying way too much stuff, and this half drunk Korean guy insisted to help us. He sang and danced, joked and laughed, all the way to our apt. He bowed to us when we arrived home, and danced away.

The subways are so clean and efficient. Much more than NYC or Boston.

I love the language, and have been using it as much as possible, talking only in Korean if I can.

I know I have only been here a few days, but I have been out and about as much as I can, learning my neighborhood and Seoul. I might have bad days, but so far this looks promising!

riley · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: where creditors can find me

Well, you've only been here a couple of days, so you're still at the "oh boy, a new country!" stage. I was excited over everything my first month or so.
If you were shopping at Emart today, I might have seen you and your boyfriend. Freaky!

Nambucaveman · Joined: 03 Aug 2006

MollyBloom,

Welcome to the both of you! The first couple of months are an adjustment period, but if you make lots of friends I'm sure you'll be fine.

I hope you enjoy your time in Korea.

NC

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

kat2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Location: Busan, South Korea

I'm glad you guys are having such a good few days. I never keep a journal, but I wish I had during my first few months in Korea. I actualy don't remember much of it now, I think lost to a haze of confusion. I would suggest writing down all of the memories you think you will have forever now. because chances are yo uwill forget about them. I hope the rest of your contract goes as well as your first few days!

Rey Mysterio 619 · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Location: 619 Connect

Yeah, Korea is good for making money to go to S-E Asia.

wire · Joined: 01 Aug 2006

Good call bringing a lover.

Korea is a lonely, lonely place for many.

brianthestrider · Joined: 30 Nov 2006 Location: Seoul

Oh how cynical are those responses? lol.. Well I just got here on Wednesday and am feeling similarly at home. The difference is that I'm here by myself but my best mate was around this weekend so that was fine and I'm sure I'll be settled soon. I am keeping a journal as I know that experiences such as lunch with my co-workers last Friday won't always feel as amazing as they did that night.. Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.

Brian

Rey Mysterio 619 · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Location: 619 Connect

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep

The first couple days are always the hardest. Best give yourself a full week to go through all 4 stages of classic culture shock. If you make it that far without cracking up, then it's time to sink roots. Buy a car, adopt a pet, and upgrade the ratty-looking furniture & junky appliances. The next 10 years will fly by -- go First Class.

MollyBloom · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Location: James Joyce's pants

Well, I love America, so I am going back. Plus I have to write my Masters Thesis.

tomato · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:03 am Post subject: Re: YAY!!! I LOVE KOREA!!!!!!!

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

Glad you're having a nice time.

Myself, like a lot of other people, got kinda annoyed after about 3 or 4 months and got a little depressed and so on.

However after about 3 years here I'm happy and living it up. If you've been speaking Korean as much as you can (i really hope you don't speak it well a few hours after touchdown otherwise I'll feel terribly neglectful..) then keep it up. Keep studying. It's the best thing you can do to have a good time here.

Ignore bitter/jealous posts from people who are miserable here. Mostly the happy people don't post on this board; it's a bit of a negative place. There are a lot of happy foreigners here though =)

Hope you stay happy. This can be, and is, a great place for a lot of people.

Woland · Joined: 10 May 2006 Location: Seoul

Glad to have another positive person aboard here. Do enjoy yourself in Korea. Prepare for some bumps ahead, but recognize that they are bumps, not mountains.

(Hurray, too, for the return of Q's best avatar!)