Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Canadian1987]

So I've been in Seoul for about 6 months and I've only met like 3 other teachers. The teachers at my work don't really hang out or do anything, so are there other teachers around or what?? I know this sounds like a totally stupid question, but in all honesty I have not encountered other teachers. I'm living in Jung-gye-dong, btw.

[Lucas]

Just follow the children, they'll lead you to one eventually!

[tob55]

Venture away from your neighborhood and you are likely to encounter other foreign teachers if that is what you are looking for. I am not going to post locations, because that will just lead to others commenting on how terrible one place is over another, and I don't think your interest in in hearing the horror stories about different parts of foreigner social hangouts. Best thing is to not be a "wall flower," be friendly, and don't be afraid to engage in conversation whe nyou happen to be in a setting which lends itself to more foreign teachers being their, i.e. local or regional festivals for one, and other types of cultural events taking place around your part of the country. Just a few suggestions and good luck on meeting others and making new friends. Cheers!

[Zyzyfer]

A buddy of mine lives out in Jung-gye. From what I've seen, I can imagine how one would go for quite some time without bumping into Westerners up there.

Check out bars around Nowon Station, you may not be up for getting drunk necessarily but you should be able to find people there.

If you just want to mainline foreign teacher vibes, then I would suggest Wolfhounds in Itaewon, it is kind of the de facto English teachers pub there.

[Canadian1987]

[le-paul]

i hear a lot of people saying they cant meet anyone on fb so they ask where is everyone as if theyre going to just go to a bar and walz up to a group of people and say 'do you mind if i join you?'. ive been with foreigners a few times and they wernt very poilte when someone just joined in. Frankly, id feel a bit weird too just walking up to some people in a park and asking if i could join in and play frisbee.
I know everyone is in the same boat, but alot of people dont seem to be very sypathetic to that.

my advice is, go onto fb (or here or whatever), find a foreigners group, ask where everyone hangs out and then ask a specific person if theyd mind you tagging along next time they meet up. that way, you get a freindly face and introductions. Sports/specific groups seem to be great for that. (eg i met alot of people through motorbike and clbing groups in korea).

anyway, good luck. I know how you feel (was there myself once).

a lot less of a social fax pas in my op.

[dairyairy]

You want friends? Walk into any Itaewon bar and say, loudly, "Gee I just got my first paycheck and I don't know anyone in Korea. First round's on me." You'll have all the friends you could ever want.

[peachKitten713]

Everyone is different. For me, I don't mind rarely seeing other foreigners when I'm in Korea. But if I do feel the urge to speak English when I'm in Hongdae or something, I just end up walking to a group of them and asking if they have a lighter or something. And then I just start talking haha. ^_^
During weekends, there will be lots of foreigners (and Koreans as well) in Hongdae Park, and many will be drinking lol, so it's never too weird to kinda start conversations up with people. At least not for me. But I've been known to be a social butterfly of sorts (aka I don't really have a problem talking to anybody). Good luck and have fun socializing~~
I agree that joining a facebook group might be a good idea, too.

[northway]

If you like beer and football, you can meet a lot of people if you make yourself a regular at one of Itaewon's bars on a Tuesday. The same people typically go to the same bars week after week, so while you will be hanging out with cripples, bastards, and broken things, you can make some prett good friends if you also fall into one of those three categories.

[rockbilly]

Itaewon is good. Other places are also good.

Try Tony's in Itaewon. Tiny little place. Tony's a good guy, Australian, and will soon have you meeting everyone. For a 7000 won investment in a glass of Guinness, you'll be set up right away with the people worth knowing--I promise it.

Hollywood Bar and Grill in Itaewon--I haven't been there in years. Still apparently open though; looks like a good bet. Best steaks in Korea, or at least they were. English-speaking management and staff; good people.

Best bet, then: Itaewon. Some of us long-term expats are also shy, and so if we walk right by you, it might not mean anything. Make the effort--we'll open up.

Also, try Ansan. A long (90 min) subway ride out from Seoul, but a place brimming over with foreigners. I'm there every weekend. I'm basically there for the clove cigarettes and the Uzbeki lamb dinner at my fave restaurant in the world. Lots to choose from. Invest the 90 minutes of your time: it's worth it.

Basically, though, Itaewon. Talk with Tony. Talk with anyone. Break the ice with a glass of Guinness or two. You'll soon have friends.

Cheers!

[bossface]

OP, I used to live in Junggye. I'm assuming you must live near Eunhaeng Sageori, yeah? This is one of the most heavily foreign populated areas in Korea. Check out any convenience store table, there are usually foreigners drinking and hanging out. This is especially true at the shops near the Doota-vil and Starville buildings, tons of foreigners live in these places. Sometimes there are people at Wa Bar too. As another poster mentioned, lots of foreigner friendly bars at Nowon Station as well. Check out Onda (10,000 won for unlimited draft beer!), Dragon Bar, Mojito, or, if you're desperate, Metropolis.

[Scorpion]

Honestly dude, go to Itaewon. Walk into any bar. Hang about the pool table. Talk to people mingling around....Instant waygook friends. Honestly, it's not that difficult to meet foreigners here. There be 20,000 English teachers alone, plus 30,000 US troops. Countless businessmen and engineers, embassy staff, tourists, etc. There's also expat soccer teams, hockey teams, shared interest groups, churches (if you must), poetry readings (again, if you must), and everything in between.

It's really not that difficult to meet foreigners in Korea....and I'm a friggin introvert.