Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jane]

I say "article" with quotation marks because it shouldn't qualify as such, nor be published in a public paper, as bad as the Korea Herald is. In fact, I think this piece drags the Herald down. I also find parts to be ignorant, myopic and very telling, in my opinion, of how Koreans see themselves in the world.

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/03/10/200903100054.asp

LETTER TO THE EDITOR]Re: Studying abroad is no cakewalk




Even though the economic situation is currently very bad, the number of people who are going abroad to study is still high. I myself have been abroad to England for three years and have faced many difficulties, such as the language barrier, culture shock and especially home sickness.

I was in grade 5 when I left Korea. I went to a boarding school, which means that I went abroad by myself.

One of the problems I had the most difficulty with was home sickness.

As I was very dependent on my parents at that age, I didn't know what to do and how to do it - even the simplest things in my life. But after realizing that each individual is actually alone in this world, I started to become independent and self-sufficient.

Even though I was very timid, I soon began to be more extroverted. I started to talk more and ask people for help when I needed it.

Though the objective of going abroad is not to change your personality, it does provide an excellent opportunity to become a person who might be successful in society; a person who can say their opinions regardless of other people and become independent.

One of the largest barriers was language. Despite the fact that I started to learn English at a very young age and could speak English quite fluently when I left Korea, I still had difficulty communicating and understanding native speakers at first.

We all get nervous due to the fact that we only have foreigners to talk to, and seem to have more problems comprehending them than usual.

There is only one solution to getting over this barrier: time. Every animal takes time to get used to new environments around them, and if the language, along with everything else has changed around us, we must also take time to adapt, as language is not the only thing which we must get used to.

Therefore even though our English skill may be poor, it is important to constantly try to have conversations with the people around us and make an effort to take in as much as they say.

Is it ever acceptable to do otherwise?


Culture shock may be a big obstacle for some people, but it was a very interesting and amusing experience for me.

The difference between the Korean and the English culture is great, due to the contrasting sense of values and ways of viewing things. To name a few, there are Easter Day, Bonfire Night and Harvest Festival.

Yes, Easter Day comes to mind as one of the greatest difference between the two cultures. *sarcasm implied*

Most of the festivals which exist are somehow related to Christianity, but English culture contains lots of holidays including the religions Judaism and Hinduism.

Therefore the English culture has been a great opportunity for me to experience not one, but a diverse range of cultures, which made me perceive culture shock not as an obstacle but as an opportunity to be a global person, by taking part in it.

Sure, as long as you are engaging in conversation with people and taking in what people say.

Korea, famous for being homogenous, is currently home to many foreigners and more multicultural families.

It is the same in any other countries and the best way to diminish the culture shock is to be open-minded and understanding. Though humans are born self-centered, we must accept the fact that every country has their own tradition and culture.

This is debatable.

Like Korea has its own tradition and culture, we must try and comprehend that every culture is different and unique, including ours.

Who is 'we'?? "We" all know already the points you just made.

Lee In-wha, England[/i]

[Rusty Shackleford]

Wow. What is the matter with you?

[eamo]

Ah...Jane.....I would be praising the writer of that piece up and down if it was from a student of mine.

The writer seems to have really got the idea of understanding and enjoying foreign cultures. Something many Koreans never do.

You're waaay too hard on the writer!!

The only problem with that article seems to be your incredibly cynical reading of it.

[Hanson]

^ Ditto.

This OP is taking "complaing on Dave's" to a whole new level. Jane, remember, the glass isn't half empty - it's simply too big.

[crash bang]

the OP cannot reply now as she is too busy patting herself on the back for realizing how much more worldly and tolerant she is than those stupid ignorant provincial koreans

[Underwaterbob]

[TheUrbanMyth]

Wow. This is a new low for complaining on Dave's.

As noted it's not even an article to begin with and secondly, the writer is attempting to convey openness to foreign cultures in her second language.

Given that we complain on a daily basis that Korea is not open to new ideas and foreign cultures, one would think everyone would be positive about this.