Author Topic: What will we complain about when we leave Korea? (Read 5581 times)

anne021386 · « **on:** April 07, 2011, 06:25:28 PM »

To follow up on a previous post and to add a new twist, I was wondering what we will complain about when we leave Korea. I think foreigners complain a lot because the advantages and disadvantages of living in Korea compared to living in Western counties are so extreme. Also the Honeymoon stage was really intense for me because Koreans try so hard to make a good first impression and a lot of things I loved about Korea turned out to be fake. After noticing the shocking contrasts one can’t help but complain. Nonetheless there are still a lot of things I love about this country and I will (along with many others) probably complain about a lot of things when I return home.

Things I will miss the most about Korea (in no particular order)

1)   Heath Care. It’s fast, cheap, and efficient. I’m American so I don’t have much to compare with
2)   Dental Care is also fast, cheap, and efficient
3)   A free apartment
4)   Great public transportation
5)   Jimjjilbangs (bathhouses)
6)   The food (you either love it or you hate it. I can’t even go a few days without kimchi before I get the jitters
7)   Free Korean classes (seek and you shall find)

   The opportunity to meet people from all over the world through organized events.
9)   Having the time and resources to travel through Southeast Asia
10)    Being considered to be more beautiful than I am in my home country (Wow! Big eyes! Small face!) I know, it’s superficial…
11)   Financial Independence. Being able to pay back student loans, travel, and not have to ask my parents for money
12)   All those funny ‘Engrish’ moments.
13)   Having an extremely small work load and a lot of free time at work (not true if you’re working in a Hagwon)
14)   Some of the best Salsa clubs in the World. (Not everyone’s favorite but I think most can agree that the nightlife is pretty great).

What else am I missing?

weltot · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2011, 06:31:07 PM »

Being told you are "so smart" for stringing two words of Korean together

HulkHercules · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2011, 06:41:06 PM »

I'll complain about not being in Korea when I leave Korea... :(

cragesmure · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2011, 06:42:52 PM »

Quote from: anne021386 on April 07, 2011, 06:25:28 PM

To follow up on a previous post and to add a new twist, I was wondering what we will complain about when we leave Korea. I think foreigners complain a lot because the advantages and disadvantages of living in Korea compared to living in Western counties are so extreme. Also the Honeymoon stage was really intense for me because Koreans try so hard to make a good first impression and a lot of things I loved about Korea turned out to be fake. After noticing the shocking contrasts one can’t help but complain. Nonetheless there are still a lot of things I love about this country and I will (along with many others) probably complain about a lot of things when I return home.

Things I will miss the most about Korea (in no particular order)

1)   Heath Care. It’s fast, cheap, and efficient. I’m American so I don’t have much to compare with
2)   Dental Care is also fast, cheap, and efficient
3)   A free apartment
4)   Great public transportation
5)   Jimjjilbangs (bathhouses)
6)   The food (you either love it or you hate it. I can’t even go a few days without kimchi before I get the jitters
7)   Free Korean classes (seek and you shall find)
   The opportunity to meet people from all over the world through organized events.
9)   Having the time and resources to travel through Southeast Asia
10)    Being considered to be more beautiful than I am in my home country (Wow! Big eyes! Small face!) I know, it’s superficial…
11)   Financial Independence. Being able to pay back student loans, travel, and not have to ask my parents for money
12)   All those funny ‘Engrish’ moments.
13)   Having an extremely small work load and a lot of free time at work (not true if you’re working in a Hagwon)
14)   Some of the best Salsa clubs in the World. (Not everyone’s favorite but I think most can agree that the nightlife is pretty great).

What else am I missing?

Actually, I never thought I'd miss the food when I left the first time - I don't mind the food here, but I don't think it's anything special. But from time to time I'd get a real craving for kimchi. Lucky there was a decent Korean restaurant right by the uni in China. Now I'm back I crave real Chinese food...

AshleyTeacher · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2011, 06:48:34 PM »

I think I will miss the cheap transportation, and the fast internet.

I love the heated floors, and I make use of it as often as I can afford it.

bencrow · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2011, 06:56:22 PM »

When I leave I will certainly complain about not having:

-excellent public transit.
-A free apartment.
-Delicious school lunches, and being able to afford to eat out at really great restaurants.
-Having people at the local market give me and extra piece of free fruit when I come to buy from them each week.
-A regular paycheck with amazing benefits!

daveis · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:09:35 PM »

The little button you push at restaurants to get service, sounds small but such a great idea. I really hate having to try and get a waiters attention in a crowded restaurant.

roxywalker · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:12:00 PM »

I'll miss my students:(

wayg00k · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:19:08 PM »

I will complain about the terrible internet speeds of my next destination.

gyulhyeon · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:22:56 PM »

We will complain about having to pay tip in other countries.

supernmgirl · « **Reply #10 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:35:16 PM »

I know I'll be complaining about the lack of public restrooms everywhere..!

ljbraz · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:38:00 PM »

I'll miss walking everywhere and all the free exercise it provides. And since i live on Jeju, i'll miss the cherry blossoms that signal the onset of Spring

ljbraz · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:39:54 PM »

I'll also complain about having to pay taxes again!

daninsanam · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:41:18 PM »

I will complain about everything being too damn slow.

And everyone will complain about me cutting in line.

ychilmeran · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:48:17 PM »

I'll be complaining about public transport and internet speeds. NZ is woefully behind when it comes to those.

pyeager · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:54:04 PM »

"Choose 1 side." and "Soup or salad" are what I complain about most at home. After getting used to at least 5 side dishes with every meal, one is just sad.

Ev · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:56:05 PM »

The lack of cheap and efficient public transport.
Why the food isn't delivered within 15 minutes of ordering.

sweet_potato · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:56:16 PM »

Even though I'm a qualified teacher in Canada, I'm pretty sure a job in a public school isn't gonna land in my lap like my EPIK job did. And if I do get so lucky, I'm definitely gonna miss the technology available in classrooms here.

I'll miss my students, public transportation, the food, the restaurants... the proximity to some fantastic exotic locations, and waygook.org :)

marlon julius · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:56:39 PM »

The fact that you can save and travel while in Korea!!

Gunpo_Erin · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:58:47 PM »

Everything!

I am sure we will complain about how we miss Korea....

how expensive our respective home countries are.....

missing Korean food....

oh the list is long! it will be interesting for sure!

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Author Topic: What will we complain about when we leave Korea? (Read 5581 times)

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