Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jajdude]

Anybody who has spent a while in Korea, like a year or more, understands how it can be hard some days. Let's let it be known to all potential newcomers to this strange country, or anyone meeting the unknown for the first time. ...

Example:

It can be trying because....

Well, I don't speak the language.

The food is different.

etc...

(add your own)

[euro_slapper]

I did a 4 yr stint in Busan and I'm coming back for more

[jajdude]

well 4 years in busan.. that is cool !
Congrats..

All is cool?

[adventureman]

It can be trying becasue Koreans are some of the most nationalistic people on the planet.

And before somebody attempts to refute that claim, yes I HAVE met every single human being on the planet. So there.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

[Homer]

Wow adventureman...an impressive claim..smacks of the fish stories my uncle used to tell but all is good.


J-dude...

Good thread we all have our tough days here but mostly its in our hands to do something about them.

In your example of the language barrier...thats up to you to overcome this or choose not too and live with that choice.

I have been in Busan 6 years and love it.

Hard days...the traffic here when it rains...enough to drive ya mad sometimes but hey what can I do to remedy the situation?
Moan and gripe about it until it becomes a festering absess that makes my life here miserable or accept it for what it is, something totally out of my control, and take measures to deal with it. (ex: use the subway more, books, go to a coffee shop until traffic lessens....)

[jajdude]

Ya know I can manage enough in this language. I'm just used to the preconception that I can't speak. So I go with that. I guess i don't like feeling dumb or embarrassed. But then I think hell, the feeling would exist anywhere in the world the language differs. Then I feel a bit better knowing English goes farther than many languages. Poor Koreans and their unique tongue. Japan and China and...... also. Well maybe not as much.

I can do it when I want if I don't feel too inhibited. But usually,, forget it.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Barking Mad Lord Snapcase]

In Australia, my problems were personal. In Korea, my problems were cultural. You can often do something about the former without conforming. However, apparently (if some people here are to be believed) you can't do aything about the latter UNLESS you conform. Nonetheless, there are ways of dodging (avoid squat pots, take pills, have the game prepared for that one difficult class, keep that excuse list in your notebook in case a stranger holds you up for frivolous or religious reasons, spend the weekend out of town etc).

It's rarely a simple case of one place being better all-round than the other. Its a matter of being in control of your own life.

[Homer]

Barking,

[Demophobe]

[Crois]

Not so much trying but very difficult if you dont change your ways to suit the Korean ways sometime. But the sooner you say this is Korea and this is how they do things the better your life can be.

But i still like to vent everynow and then

[ryleeys]

Am I the only one that thinks life here is pretty much the same as back home?

I mean, life has its ups and downs no matter where ya live. Just cause the signs are in a different language and the people look different doesn't change the basics of life.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Barking Mad Lord Snapcase]