Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shawner88]

Get a Playstation 2 and a good RPG game for it or your computer. I used to play Diablo 2 when I felt lonely, then I didn't want other people around ever. I'm alone right now, hmm...

[William Beckerson]

How to get over the feeling of isolation?

Dunno....

Stop thinking that your self-worth is based on how many people are on your cell phone? Realize that being in the company of yourself isn't a sign that nobody likes you?

[shawner88]

[jpal75]

To beat the sense of isolation and homesickness I decided to take up Gumdo, I was planning on Taekwando but when I found out I can spar with a sword there was no second thoughts, I wanted to re-enact the fighting scenes in Star Wars and all the Sword fighting sequences I've seen in movies!! This also helped speed up my Korean.
I also, went exploring, go to the local bus terminal armed with my lonely planet and korean phrasebook and find a city that I can go to. I feel that I've seen a lot of Korea within my first year here.
I enjoyed going to the cinema back home but when I first went to the cinema's within my local area - it was cramped, humid and too many noisy kids, or people chewing loudly or conversations...(2 years later, I learned to tune off!)
The foreigners I met in my area were too cynical and I found that spending too much time with them made me feel even more isolated. Thankfully the cynics have moved on and were replaced by the 'wide-eyed, innocent, adventure seeking' faces

[Ya-ta Boy]

Isolation is a bear to handle, especially around holidays. I think it is something we have to accept about the situation and adapt to it.

Finding other waygookins to hang out with can help some people. Others don't find that to be a solution because so many of the 'potential friends' are not who you would choose to hang with back home. If you are one of those who think spending time with Koreans means you are teaching all the time, then Korean friends are not an option.

For me, the best solution has been to focus on things I enjoy doing alone. As someone mentioned, try reading all the books you never got around to before. Take up painting or writing, cooking, building model airplanes...Volunteer work can be fulfilling. One poster mentioned travelling alone. There are lots of Korean clubs you could join--hiking, photography, etc. I think the common thread is to look inside and find what you enjoy and do it.

But in the end, there are times when you want/need some emotional support, and it isn't going to be there. You just have to deal with it as best you can.