Korean Job Discussion Forums

[World Traveler]

This is my first year living in Korea. I'm living in Guri and working at a hagwon in Dosim. I am the only foreign teacher. There is only one other person working there- my boss.

What are some good plans for meeting new people? I read that in Korean culture it would be unusual to converse with those to whom you have not been introduced.

I'd like to meet locals and also as many foreigners as possible (to find those few with whom I would be most compatible).

I've thought about making fliers to advertise for a language exchange. Where would be a legal and appropriate place to hang these?

I've been disgusted and disappointed by the majority of expats I've met thus far, and I decided not to associate with them anymore rather than lower my standards, this despite the fact that I'm feeling loneliness and isolation.

The sad part is, I've been here seven months, and still don't have any close friends.

Back home in the United States, it was much more fulfilling for me socially.

I'm not sure what all specific steps I should be taking to better my circumstances. If anyone has some ideas, I'm all ears.

[Ukon]

[J Rock]

What worked for me is a couple things.

1. Going out to bars after work and just having a couple of drinks by yourself and eventually someone will come up to you and start talking.

2. Some of the mothers at my school invited me over for dinner, they basically wanted me to interact with their kids but i ended up hanging out with the dads and they were actually pretty cool. They were in their 30's so they were close to my age, we left and went to the bar and met up with some more of their friends. To this day i still hangout with some of those guys, not often but we still meet up for a drink once in a while.

3. My favorite way I met somebody (not sure if it was ethical) was a 12 year old student asked why i didn't have a girlfriend. I replied my standard response to kids: Korean girls don't like me. He then said why don't you date my sister, i'm thinking yeah right how old is she 15. He ended up showing me a picture and she was 23 years old and fairly good looking. He gave her my number and she ended up texting me, we ended up dating for around 3 months, I suspect she just wanted a free English lessson but I enjoyed being around her.

I felt a little strange being setup by a 12 year old but nobody seemd to have a problem with it.

[Radius]

[janafromfrance]

I know exactly what you mean, I was in the same situation when I first came. I actually still hate it here, but am soon to leave. I just teach, surf the internet, study languages, write friends, chat with friends, count my money, and look forward to my next trip to Thailand. I think having goals is the big part, keep focused on what you can do with the money you save, my money will go to grad school, a trip around the world, and a few trips to JAPAN! I am going to Tokyo for a short vacation soon, then I will have a blast! That keeps me happy, and a friend is coming to visit me from France soon~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Troglodyte]

Try
http://www.hanlingo.com/

Announce that you want to find some Korean friends to hang out with who like practicing their English. You'll get a bunch of people write to you. Some of them will invite you to go out drinking with their other friends, some will give you a tour of the city, some just want to hang out at a cafe and drink coffee and talk. You get a variety.

[.38 Special]

I'd be curious to know in what way the expats had disgusted you. Unless they're acting out Heart of Darkness in rural Korea they can't be all that bad...

Or could they?

[VanIslander]

[redaxe]

[Illysook]

I felt that way for awhile...for a long while. It seemed that I kept meeting people who were either extremely shallow and debauched, or very self-righteously religious. I couldn't stand either sort. The key is not to give up. Finding community is a key to a successful time in Korea.

My route was very indirect. Someone from home put me in touch with a friend who went to a church that had a coffee shop near Jeongja. I attended a special event there, then I met someone cool who invited me to her church. I took her up on the invite and I met a bunch of cool people there. Now that I'm home, I really miss those people and I plan to go back.

The book swap at The Wolfhound was also made up of cool people. A book club started from there and I enjoyed those people very much. Just try to find some activities that you are interested in and go from there.

[Globutron]

The best thing to do is to go to an open mike Karaoke (if they do that in Korea, I ain't there yet), and go to sing something, then 'accidentally' fall down, knocking as many drinks of other people's as you possibly can. the larger the disaster, the higher the chance *somebody* will sympathise and talk to you. Then just reel them in.

I am basically awful at making friends too so I'll be in that situation soon enough. I think I've made about 2 friends max in my life, the rest have generally made friends with me whilst I sat silently, mumbling appreciation.

Hmm this gives me an idea for *another* post. This will be called 'Andy's ESL Cafe' within no time.

[CapnSamwise]

I have only ever heard Gentlemen's Clubs refer to strip joints.

[Kurtz]

[smartwentcrazy]

[morrisonhotel]