Korean Job Discussion Forums

jgerocscau · Joined: 15 Mar 2011

Hi everyone,

I'm doing some research about expat life in Korea, and I was wondering if you could answer 3 quick questions for me:

1. What were the biggest obstacles or unknowns for you to come to Korea?

2. What did you wish you knew before you got here?

3. What are the worst or most annoying things about living in Korea?

Much thanks in advance. Cheers.

Joseph

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

MoneyMike · Joined: 03 Dec 2008

1) Biggest obstacle was definitely the application process for EPIK. Applied through their website, but all the paperwork is quite a hassle, and costs a lot for a poor newly graduated guy.

2) Maybe some Korean, but to be honest the EPIK orientation gave me everything I really needed. (a few short intro Korean classes) KNOWING something about a country before you relocate to it (at least in my mind) is often not as useful as it sounds, because it's one thing to learn something, and it's an entirely different thing to experience it.

3) I really like living here. The only thing that kinda bugs me is the way old people glare at me from time to time, especially when I'm with my Korean gf. Oh, and not being able to find clothes that fit sucks too. (I've got real wide shoulders, and huge legs, even for a westerner)

toby99 · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:47 am Post subject:

tjinh200 · Joined: 15 Mar 2011

Speaking from experience years ago and likely upcoming:

1. What were the biggest obstacles or unknowns for you to come to Korea?
If you don't know any Korean, that will be a big one. Learn some of the basic expressions before you arrive - it will help, and for a lot of Korean people will make them smile, which is always a good thing in a tight spot.

Different cultures always present different obstacles for different people. It's a really broad question you're presenting. Basic things like going to the store or paying a bill can be an all day/week experience if you really don't do your research ahead of time.

For this, my suggestions would be: learn some basic phrases to start out, make a friend who is Korean or has been in Korea for some time, and like the food (because if you don't, that's already a big problem).

2. What did you wish you knew before you got here?
Knowing about the restrictions of your visa and/or contract depending upon your situation is very important. If possible, always have an out. Learning about the culturally accepted norms is equally important. It's not your country, remember.

3. What are the worst or most annoying things about living in Korea?
If you've never been outside of your own country, you'll find a lot of things "annoying," when really they are just different. A lot of the time, what people gripe about is not "unjust" or "unfair," but merely different.

Wish you the best Smile

Zackback · Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Location: Kyungbuk

1. I'd miss my mom's cooking.
2. I wish I knew how they don't tell you important things here until the last minute or even after the event.
3. With many things Koreans want to be accepted by the world as a global country but too often Koreans won't accept the rest of the world.