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Author Topic: I miss Korea  (Read 1893 times)

Offline constantinople

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I miss Korea
« on: December 29, 2011, 12:52:11 pm »
Yup. I've been away for a couple months now and I miss it. Every time I hear Korean or see something made in Korea I get excited. Living in Toronto is okay, but it really doesn't compare to Seoul, or even smaller cities.

When I left Korea I was glad to start something new, to leave a country which I thought was foreign to me. I thought I couldn't stay there indefinitely because I didn't "belong" culturally and so on. I realized, however, that the concept of "culture" is what I make of it. It's how I choose to live my life. It's not necessarily what is going on around me, but how I choose to interpret it and use it in my own life.  I also missed my friends in Canada, but now I miss my friends in Korea, who I find I have more in common with.

I also miss my job. I do enjoy working where I work now, but I felt important in Korea. My students appreciated me and put a smile on my face every single day. That doesn't happen here.

I will be returning, I think. I'll wait a couple months, though I'm already looking into it. It's not exactly reverse culture shock. It's home sickness. I felt more creative and fulfilled in Korea.

Has anyone else felt this way and eventually returned and made Korea their home long term (I mean more than a year or two)?
« Last Edit: December 29, 2011, 12:53:43 pm by constantinople »
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Offline globetrotter

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2011, 01:56:55 pm »
shoot haven't thought that way, but I'm ready to go back to the states in March after a couple years here.  I've had really good times and really bad, but the deciding factor for me is people/communication.  I'm ready to go back where people speak directly to you (no mind reading/assuming), where there is less importance on looks (esp if you're not white), and where I can have some personal space.  Those are the things I miss the most about the West, but maybe when I'm home my family will scare me to come right back lol.

I think a lot of it is how you are perceived by Koreans, your work situation, and how well you mesh with the culture that decide whether or people like it or not
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Offline jimmyeatworldwar

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2011, 02:35:07 pm »
funny cause my old mate who left korea almost a year ago said almost exactly the same thing.
Guess there is something special about this place that attracts waygooks when they leave.

Seems like the OP had good times that he misses quite alot.
I bet the people here and the country will greet you as much as they did when you come back :)
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Offline Andyroo

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2011, 03:01:59 pm »
Grass is always greener :)

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Offline AC_in_Korea

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2011, 03:13:26 pm »
I do know exactly how you feel.  I was in Korea for two years, then left to travel.  Within those two years I returned to Canada, and ran into issues with my visa, and could not return as quickly as I would have liked.  It was hard!  I called my preschool students once a week to talk to them!

I left Korea after two years, and travelle.  While travelling I didn't miss much, but when I returned to Canada, I realized how much I missed it.  MIND YOU- back in Canada I was staying with my parents, with no apartment of my own, no job, no car, and even no cell phone - all things I had before moving to Korea in the first place.  I found it tough.  I missed my lifestyle in Korea.  I did end up coming back, and have stayed another two years.

One thing I suggest - do not expect everything to be the same when you return.  Minor frustrations will creep up faster than they did initially.  I was nervous to come to a new city, but I so so glad that I did the second time around.  It gave me enough  'newness' to appreciate things, but I still felt comfortable enough to do things on my own.

If you are in Toronto, then you are not far from Little Korea. Up at Highway 7 and Warden Avenue they are many Korean restuarants and shopping areas.  Perhaps getting out there and picking up some comforts 'from home' will help!

Either way, best wishes!
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Offline Lolin

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #5 on: December 29, 2011, 06:14:02 pm »
I still have about 8 months before I go back to the states and I already know I'll feel the way you feel.
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Offline oskinny1

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #6 on: December 29, 2011, 06:17:19 pm »
I left in July and have already been back once just to visit. Getting on the plane to go "home" this time was definitely not easy. I left to start a career in the oil/gas construction business, which will bring a lot of money but put me in locations that are hell on Earth. Not sure which is better, Korea with little money or Hell, with lots.
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Offline H man

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #7 on: December 30, 2011, 01:17:51 pm »
AC & OP- actually there's 2 K towns in Toronto - they call the one around Warden and 7 "North Korea" and the original one around Christie/Bloor "South Korea"...you can buy Soju at the LCBO for about $25 as well
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Offline amity

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2012, 04:54:39 pm »
I went home for a year and craved kimchi!  :D Fortunately, I managed to locate a supplier.
Mostly I missed feeling safe and secure.  :( 
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Offline The Jacks

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2012, 05:26:23 pm »
I missed Korea when I left first time. Intending to be gone forever, I was back within 6 months! 
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Offline Vinnie

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2012, 08:19:21 pm »
Wow! I can't believe the amount of people saying that they missed Korea so much, will miss Korea alot or had to return to Korea because they missed it so much. Are things that bad back home? I'm heading home to Ireland pretty soon and while I've really enjoyed my time here, there's no place like home. In fact, my time here in Korea has made me come to appreciate my home country even more. 
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Offline DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #11 on: January 10, 2012, 09:41:19 am »
I doubt you miss KOREA so much as you miss the lifestyle you had here.

When I go back to the UK I miss my life in Korea and my friends here.

When I am on vacation in another Asian country, I do not miss Korea and it's a comedown coming back.

Korea aint bad, don't get me wrong but if Shanghai is Barcelona, Tokyo is Berlin - Korea is Belgium. 

Korea looks the same everywhere you go, very limited and repetative food options, not much style etc.

If you have a decent job here in Korea, an esl teacher's life is very comfortable. 

Perhaps you miss teaching as a job also. The day goes quickly, you're relating to people all day long, a very sociable job with a good degree of status attached also.  Plus lots of emotional highs and lows, that can be somewhat missable too.
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Offline Happyhan

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #12 on: January 10, 2012, 07:14:15 pm »
This post couldn't have come at a better time (even though it was started 2 weeks ago!) I have seven weeks left and am getting so sad at the thought of leaving... My time here has been pretty amazing, yes largely because of the lifestyle but every part of my time here in Korea has been great..Being here I really forget I'm living the other side of the world... I just don't feel ready to go yet (I know I've still 7 weeks but time here seems like it's on fast forward!) If I hadn't bought my ticket to go traveling I would be resigning up for somewhere now!
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Offline jaysoon17

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2012, 07:18:08 pm »
I've been back for 10 months now after a 5 year absence from Korea. I always knew that I would come back to visit, but I didn't think I'd live here again. I'm at a different stage in my life and don't party the way I used to, so my lifestyle here is different at this age. But I like it here and have a better appreciation of what Korea has to offer. I think the difference for me though is that I came back here with a high conversational level of Korean and about ten times more Korean friends than the remaining foreign friends who never left. That made the transition back not too difficult. Do you have a good number of Korean friends here or long term foreigner friends to help you with coming back?
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Offline LAJenney

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #14 on: January 12, 2012, 07:06:35 am »
Reading everyone's sentiments about Korea in this thread has reminded me why I will likely be okay. I leave in a month and am so terribly nervous. I can't back out now. But knowing that so many that have been there and back long to return, I find more peace in making this journey myself. I am older than most of the new teachers there, I believe, as I am 29. I just pray I meet wonderful new English speaking friends and I do a good job.
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Offline DWAEDGIMORIGUKBAP

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #15 on: January 12, 2012, 01:05:39 pm »
As well as my theory that it is the lifestyle you miss more than Korea per se,  I'd add that it could also be that your home country or lifestly ewithin it could be not that great which makes the one you had in Korea seem better.

In the UK, I need to be in London.  England is a nice place and all, but just kind of dull and sterile to me,  lacking in a visible culture.   London just about keeps me sane, and having Europe on the doorstep - otherwise the dullness and 'greyness' of everyday life in England would drive me elsewhere.
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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.

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Offline jdniii

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #16 on: January 21, 2012, 05:04:57 am »
I feel the same way as the original poster. I've been back for 5 months after being in Seoul for 3 years, and it just doesn't compare. I actually made a podcast about the topic and what it's like to assimilate back into your own culture and finding a job etc. If you have time check it out!

http://www.twocrudemandudes.blogspot.com
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Offline tgates209

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #17 on: January 22, 2012, 04:37:32 pm »
That's a great post.  I've been in Busan for 4 months now and it definitely feels like home to me.  I wonder sometimes how long I could stay before it gets old to me or "not for me" any longer.  Maybe it'll always feel right.  At the moment I can't see an end in sight as long as I can renew my contract.
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Offline JT

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #18 on: January 23, 2012, 05:54:41 pm »
I have been in Korea for some 5 months now. Nearing in on the half way point of my contract, I confess to being pleased to be near this timeline milestone. Saying that, that is largely because I have now got used to being here, I am now familiar with the place and the way it rolls, and am very happy with all I have been given and the deal I have. Everything I need to do and what is expected of me is now known to me and is relatively straight forward. Because of this, I suspect the next 6 months will fly by, and that I too will find myself in a strange mind after returning to my homeland. Korea has been, and continues to be good to me.       
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Offline Spongeblob

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Re: I miss Korea
« Reply #19 on: January 23, 2012, 05:58:22 pm »
Home is where the heart is man.  Do what makes you happy.  :)
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