Korean Job Discussion Forums

swashbuckler · Joined: 20 Nov 2010

The important information that everyone should get from this thread is this: Korean hospitals, for the most part, [Mod Edit]. Also, most Koreans (and many other foreigners) view English teachers at hagwons/public schools as transient visitors and will probably not come through for you in a pinch. If you are on an e-2 and don't have any family or TRUE friends in Korea (NOT drinking buddies or English conversation friends), pray everyday that you never get any serious or life-threatening injuries, diseases, or illnesses. If you are just on the generic 'national heath plan' and become hospitalized, you will probably either have a difficult-to-god awful experience or pay out the ass for quality treatment (especially follow-up care) at one of the bigger/more famous hospitals.

It is not only me and NYC girl who have had major problems (from a Western perspective) with Korean health care.

Cedar · Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:41 pm Post subject:

Above Swash makes the point that most Koreans really don't think of E2 people as TRUE friends (the kind you visit in the hospital and help through tough times). This is absolutely true. To have real Korean friends they need to believe you aren't just going to be here and gone again in a few months. This I think may be part of NYC Gal's big shocker with this whole thing. She may not have realized both the difference in nursing here -and- that she didn't actually have the close relationship with Koreans she thought she did.

As I and any other long-timer can tell you, it is possible to develop friends when they believe 1) you will be in their life long term 2) you have at least a healthy respect for their country and culture 3) you understand things about Korean etiquette so you don't constantly hit the foreigner button in their mind by behaving 'off' from how a Korean would in the same situation 4) you speak Korean at least to a degree that demonstrates that you tried (like you can at least take care of ordinary stuff like signing up for the internet service or challenging your bill in a restaurant without them helping you)

NYC_Gal 2.0 · Joined: 10 Dec 2010

I hear you both. I was surprised that the Koreans at work didn't visit. I did get a bunch of gifts when I got back to school, so they just didn't realize that my support system was gone.

Two of my 3 best friends here are American and English, and they were out of the country when I fell ill. One of them (now my boyfriend) came back as soon as he could. The other friend could only spend so much time with me. She is Korean and was a contract teacher, so had to work. She fed my pets and brought me my things, so I'm very grateful. My mom is sending her a care package as thanks.

Swashbuckler, how's your leg now? Did it heal well?

swashbuckler · Joined: 20 Nov 2010

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 5:48 am Post subject:

NYC_Gal 2.0 · Joined: 10 Dec 2010

Patrick, my coworkers (with the exception of my head coteacher who is leaving) are always telling me that I act Korean. I try my darndest to be polite. I speak more than survival Korean. If I have a question about how to say something in Korean, I ask them, so they know that I'm actively learning (just as they come to me with English questions, which I'm happy to answer.) They just didn't really think about my situation. When we were having tea in the lounge (this past week), they asked about my situation. I told them how I befriended the older people with no guests and we kept each other company, and they said that they should have visited, but they hadn't really thought about my situation. They actually apologized, which I quickly said was no problem.

I got a bunch of gifts this week, which was sweet. I bear them no ill will. When I first posted this, I was very hurt, because I have tried my best to fit in. My coteachers know that I plan on staying a few more years at least. The only person I ever had conflict with was my head coteacher, and we do get along really well the majority of the time. She was the one who visited me, anyway!

Anyway, all is well. Just please make sure to have a support system in place, as well as a secondary, emergency one, in case 2/3 of yours is out of the country on holiday! Embarassed

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 4:12 am Post subject:

NYC Gal, Cedars post was not directed at you in particular (I think). My post certainly was NOT directed at you. It was a general comment about living in Korea.

No one ever argued that you did not try to fit in, understand Korea or speak Korean by the way. Again, these were general trend comments and basic advice on how to do well in Korea on a personal basis.

Good luck out there. Very Happy

NYC_Gal 2.0 · Joined: 10 Dec 2010

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:21 am Post subject:

You took one sentence out of the entire post thereby removing it from its context.

If you WANT to take this personally, thats your choice.

Knowing Cedars posting history here, she is one of the most level headed and knowledgeable posters when it comes to living in Korea.

Her comments are quite valid and as one who lived in Korea nearly 11 years, I agree completely with her assessement in general terms.

Good luck to you. Smile

NYC_Gal 2.0 · Joined: 10 Dec 2010

<<sigh and laughs>>

Enjoy your evening.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:45 am Post subject:

Apologies NYC Gal as I seem to have miss read what you meant.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

apples · Joined: 28 Aug 2010

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:38 pm Post subject:

MacLean · Joined: 14 Feb 2011

I've been in hospital twice in Korea. Both times for five days. It's an experience you don't want to go through. All the objectionable things about Korea are there with you in that small room. You can't get away. The loud, obnoxious roommates, snorting, hacking, eating food at a high volume, blaring the (supposedly) shared tv, throat clearing etc. Then there's the visitors who have no hospital room / shared quiet space etiquette whatsoever. They're loud, they bring in smelly food, they talk at high volume, they encroach on your space, they stare at (and talk about) the foreigner in the next bed, etc. etc. etc. And they never go away. They camp in your shared room. It's like a friggin hillbilly camp site. And you're supposed to be in there resting, relaxing, getting well. Confused

Without doubt, one of the worst experiences you can have in Korea. And that says a lot.

Stay well.

BoholDiver · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Location: Canada

Sounds similar to my story, the one I posted on the 1st page.

When people do the nylon patient thing, they do it together. At least you know who your neighbour is going to be. Then they sneak out at night together and get loaded at a local bar. Or smoke together in the stairwell.

'Health' care my ars.