« previous next »
Pages: « 1 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Please help with culture shock  (Read 1300 times)

Offline DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP

  • Hero of Waygookistan
  • *****
  • Posts: 1594
  • Gender: Male
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #20 on: September 29, 2011, 05:55:15 pm »
Yeah like flaysb said it can be the little things.

For me it's stuff like having gone to the same paris baguette every day for a year and the girl at the counter still being unable to heat up a frikkin pizza baguette despite me having told her how to and even having provided written instrusction in korean on how to 'please just put it in the microwave on full power for one minute.'  Or the fact that I'm the only person in there but it takes 15 minutes to make my cafe mocha.  Or when someone I've worked with for a year and who has seen me eat kimchi everyday for lunch still asks me if it's too spicy and if i can eat it.

Logged
If you think you can or can't do a thing - you are probably right.

Support bacteria - they're the only culture some people have.

Early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

“When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.” Mark Twain

Offline Jadden

  • Lesson-Plan Worthy
  • *
  • Posts: 5
  • Gender: Male
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #21 on: September 30, 2011, 12:18:59 pm »
Get involved in the community. I was fortunate enough to hope in some environmental volunteer work right when I came here. Is opens so many doors and adventures for me. So Find something that you really enjoy and get involved. May be teach dancing to kids.
Logged

Offline Blacklamb

  • Explorer
  • *
  • Posts: 36
  • Gender: Female
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #22 on: October 01, 2011, 05:51:46 pm »
The thing I'm struggling with is the other foreigners I've met, apart from dealing with everyday life here, new job, new country, new everything.

I haven't met anyone I've clicked with, which makes me feel more isolated in this place where I don't speak the language.

I'm enjoying my job for the most part, and just trying to bide my time and save my money for when my year is up.

My friends from home have been my salvation, as has my TV!!!!!! :)
Logged

Offline Dee2322

  • Lesson-Plan Worthy
  • *
  • Posts: 6
  • Gender: Female
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #23 on: October 03, 2011, 04:33:41 pm »
The first few days for me were bad. I was homesick and felt like I was trapped. I think after you meet other foreigners in your area things become a lot easier, because they become like a new family and support system. There are still days that I can barely stand it, but knowing that I have others here to spend time with makes it easier. Finding hobbies was also key for me to get through the first little bit.
Logged

Offline SeoulGirl

  • Lesson-Plan Worthy
  • *
  • Posts: 12
  • Gender: Female
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #24 on: October 03, 2011, 06:16:42 pm »
I haven't had a lot of culture shock but I think it is partially because I did so much research before coming here. Whenever something does freak me out a little bit I just remind myself that in the end, we are all people. As cheesy as it sounds, it has helped me get through a lot of situations :)
Logged

Offline justanotherwaygook

  • The Legend
  • *****
  • Posts: 2102
  • Gender: Male
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #25 on: October 03, 2011, 08:31:24 pm »
Real culture shocks (after a honeymoon phase) sets in after a couple months.  This doesn't sound like regular culture shock, Op; more like stress.  For those who say they haven't experienced culture shock and have been here less than a few months, just wait.  I haven't met anyone who hasn't gone through it (myself included).
Logged
C is for cookie, that's good enough for me.

Offline tboasis7

  • Lesson-Plan Worthy
  • *
  • Posts: 15
  • Gender: Male
  • Daeguuuuuu
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #26 on: October 04, 2011, 02:47:20 pm »
Just keep an open mind and your wits about you. You can have fun wherever you go, just go with it.
Logged
just go with it...

Offline dbtm

  • Veteran
  • **
  • Posts: 185
  • Gender: Male
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #27 on: October 04, 2011, 03:10:50 pm »
I can't say this enough:
Make Korean friends!
http://www.conversationexchange.com/

I have met so many "conversation partners" who are now just straight up my good friends. Its a window into a whole new world. Once you get into a korean social circle (it can be a bit of work!) your experience will improve dramatically. #1 rule is never criticize Korea or Koreans. This isn't your country and you aren't Rosa Parks. Don't make generalizations, there are 50 million Koreans and despite what many people would have you think, they do not function as a hivemind.

Get outdoors! Get active. Get the heck out of your apartment every chance you get. Stay busy.

edit: Your name says you are a Christian so that should be a nice "in" for you. Many of us spend a great deal of time dancing around and avoiding church invites, but you should just accept them. They will be super friendly and accomodating for you, even if you don't understand the services.
« Last Edit: October 04, 2011, 03:19:42 pm by dbtm »
Logged

Offline dvddeen

  • Lesson-Plan Worthy
  • *
  • Posts: 13
  • Gender: Male
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #28 on: October 04, 2011, 04:51:43 pm »
I've been here for about 6 and a half years.  I've never really had too much culture shock, and that may actually have to do with the fact that I came here in a group of 14 people.  We all stayed pretty close through out our first year here and did a lot of things together.  One of the easiest ways to adjust to being here is finding people that have been in Korea for awhile and learn from them.  They'll be able to explain a lot of things to you that will make the adjustment easier.
Logged

Offline dbtm

  • Veteran
  • **
  • Posts: 185
  • Gender: Male
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #29 on: October 04, 2011, 07:08:47 pm »
Quote from: dvddeen on October 04, 2011, 04:51:43 pm
I've been here for about 6 and a half years.  I've never really had too much culture shock, and that may actually have to do with the fact that I came here in a group of 14 people.  We all stayed pretty close through out our first year here and did a lot of things together.  One of the easiest ways to adjust to being here is finding people that have been in Korea for awhile and learn from them.  They'll be able to explain a lot of things to you that will make the adjustment easier.

This is good advice to a point but be careful. Many long-termers have a huge chip on their shoulder or are just generally miserable people. Don't let them colour your experience here. Reach out if you need help because they are a great source of information, but theres a lot to be said for figuring things out for yourself. Everyone school is different and certain "advice" isn't universally applicable.

Whether they're a newb or a grizzled vet - if someone is a negative person, you don't need them in your life here.

I cringe everytime I run into the 4 year guy who lives in my building because he feels the need to give me unsolicited advice on how to adjust to Korean culture when I have been here for a year and appear to be significantly better adjusted than him.
Logged

Offline lauracorcetti

  • Lesson-Plan Worthy
  • *
  • Posts: 7
  • Gender: Female
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #30 on: October 04, 2011, 07:30:21 pm »
Once you figure out reading, ordering food, some important phrases, and make some friends, you'll notice the culture shock less and less.

I go through phases of acceptance/angry annoyance at the vast differences here regarding the lack of individuality. I'm in a more negative phase right now but i'm trying to remember what it was like to just love being in a country where the people are so different from people back home.

I guess my only help with culture shock is to realize that people in a society only really know what they've always been exposed to and the people in Korea, for the most part, seem to not value individuality and thinking outside the box (gross generalization, i know). Can be frustrating.

Logged

Offline deajeonmatt

  • Lesson-Plan Worthy
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • Gender: Male
Re: Please help with culture shock
« Reply #31 on: October 09, 2011, 09:47:34 pm »
Routines can be very helpful.  Exercise and be consistent about a couple things throughout your day and you will feel more grounded/stable. 
Logged
Pages: « 1 2   Go Up
« previous next »