Korean Job Discussion Forums

[brandonviera]

Okay here goes. I've been in-country for around a year now. Little place near Cheonan. I teach elementary. Pay is fine. Apartment good. Cable connection awesome. Thing is though, I loathe it here. Loathe it to the point where my immune system is breaking down. I've developed allergies and migraines. My body is yelling No! to being here. This bugs me because I'm a calm, rational, pragmatic dude (like most of you). I'm a seasoned ESL gimp. Many years in Asia. Loved Japan (the cuisine, the amorality). Didn't mind China. Enjoyed Vietnam. But Korea's got me stumped. It seems, quite literally, to be killing me.

Now here's why (and I'm hoping newbies out there can learn from my mistakes):

- I failed to develop a social circle
- I got used to being negative
- I never gave the one dimensional food a chance
- I gave up on K-girls after seeing all the church spires
- I stayed in too much
- I started generalising about 'those' Korean people
- I became an ungrateful jerk

Anyway, I'll be leaving come the new year, but I was wondering what coping strategies others have deployed and how good your miserable lives are over here?

Sincrely,
Brandon Viera

[Fishead soup]

You need to find some kind of familiar subculture that you were into back home. For me its Punk rock concerts in Skunk Hell in Hongdae.

Also eat a lot of international food the Indian restaurants in Iteawon are great.

[CeleryMan]

Your self-awareness is impressive, now that you've identified the root causes maybe it'd make sense to make some personal improvements?

Good luck and hang in there!

[Dome Vans]

[Cognorati]

I think one of the worst things one can do is internalize things and not look at factors beyond your control that could have contributed to everything you mentioned and, in turn, your health.

You seem like an observant and well-adapted individual, which makes me think you are inclined to search for factors you can change and adapt to.

The reality is that the problem is probably Korea, and yes, Korean people.

Demographically, Korea is extremely different from both China and Japan, and it does not have a thriving intellectual or artisic community/culture. The people who come to live and work in Korea are from certain demographics, and may not have the same sensibility or interests as yourself; Korean people are puritanical and the lack of diversity makes them fearful and lacking in curiousity.

All of these things would lead a person who does not fit into the social mileu to be alienated from the people and culture one encounters -- Korea just isn't an appropriate place for you, and the extreme pollution issues probably don't help. It is obviously not likely that one will date or make connections if they just aren't within your interests.

My way of coping, since I've realized I don't have much of a common bond with the people I'm encountering, and feel alienated from the culture, due to racism, is cultivating my interior life and focusing on my spiritual practice (Buddhism). I find that I have lessons to learn about my self, my life, and my mind, that are beyond the delusions and spiritual sickness that surrounds me, here.

Take care of yourself, and leave Korea with your peace of mind...

[jdog2050]

I mean...why is this so hard? Do the things you like to do elsewhere.

On the negativity...I actually just made a promise to my girlfriend to cut it out; I started this year very positive, and honestly this year in Korea has been the best ever, but there's been drama at my school that undercuts it.

I'd say really try to focus on the positives, and if you start thinking negatively...well...STOP IT. Korea can be an annoying country, but not so horrible that you just puss out and leave, ya know?

Also, yes, negativity does indeed make you sick.

[nobbyken]

My health has been generally low for a while.
Runny noses and such.

Found out yesterday that I had a dust mite allergy. The dust is different here than back home, and when the weather is dry there is a lot more of it. Opening the windows for fresh air can just let in pollution.
Masks help big time.

Thinking I could cope with dust as in my home country, made me feel I had a constant cold in the winter time.

Check you don't have an allergy causing negative feeling in your body.
Are you eating properly?

[venus]

[The_Eyeball_Kid]

[samd]

[venus]

[Dome Vans]

[ardis]

[SPINOZA]

I always realize how superior my stock is when people start catching the Autumn and Winter colds. Everyone else is coughing, sneezing, spluttering - all of them dying, sick and deformed. I had a bit of a sore throat and a sniffle for one day.

[Scotticus]