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First Arriving
- Upon first arriving you will
most likely feel some culture shock.
How much and how you deal with it depends
on the individual. Many ESL teachers have very
little trouble and time adjusting and getting
over any culture shock. Most of us undergo some
level culture shock for at least a short while.
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You may temporarily feel nervous and anxious,
but you may also experience a very exciting and
wonderful feeling created from being in a new foreign
land. The new environment can be fascinating, as though you
are on a long vacation.
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Then you may have the realization that you do have
to work,
but also that many things in Korea are not like home.
This can cause some disappointment,
homesickness and even
depression. Again, not everyone goes through this process,
which depends on the individual. At this point you
can decide to ignore differences and accept your
new surroundings or to grow bitter and perhaps
even angry, regretting coming to Korea. It is of
course best to go with the flow
and adapt.
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Many ESL teachers assimilate into Korea,
usually Korean Marriage
and learning about much of the local
culture
and language. However, I have met several people who married
Koreans who have not learned much of the language, which is of
course entirely up to them. If you stay long enough and enjoy
it in Korea you can find it become a second home. Many people
often find themselves missing Korea upon being back in their
home country.
Elaborate Information and Personal Story
First Three Months
- For many ESL teachers three months is the
normal time to become adjusted to living and working
in Korea. This may be so for most new ventures in life.
This will vary for individuals, but generally, in Korea
for ESL teachers, this is the time frame. You may even
feel settled in a much shorter time with the new job,
culture and new friends.
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I remember walking one Sunday morning on a busy
street side walk, before I met any close friends
in Korea and feeling down and even depressed. I
was wondering how I could live in Korea for a year.
This was in the first few weeks and fairly soon
afterwards I met some wonderful
friends
and felt much better about being there.
I also felt more comfortable living with
the culture, language and work.
- One friend of mine felt rather
anxious one day as well and after a walk
in a park and the help of some friends he
was back on track. This was within the first
few months of being in Korea. The anxious
feelings we had experienced soon passed,
as any problem we may face anywhere eventually
does.
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For many of us in Korea, perhaps
like most places other than home
and especially for the first time traveler,
the first few months can be the most difficult
to get used to and adapt to
your new environment. Any anxiety, culture shock, or any
other kind of difficulties will soon pass.
Homesickness
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Homesickness is real and can
drastically bring one down emotionally
and even physically, producing a depressed
and tired effect. It can be brought on by
thoughts of longing for home, people and places.
Dealing with a new culture, working
environment and living in a new country
all at once can be difficult at first.
Things that can go wrong or not your way
can invoke thoughts of heading back home.
You may find yourself comparing home to
Korea often and dwelling on thoughts of home.
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Dwelling on the negative side of
things can make just about anyone
feel down. Feeling down can bring on
thoughts of home. You may experience
some cultural misunderstandings or have
trouble settling or getting used to your
new job.
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Try to rid yourself of any negative
thoughts as soon as possible, which may at
first seem difficult but is a great to help you stay positive.
Replace your thoughts with perspectives of
your life and of good times ahead. keep your mind calm.
keeping yourself busy can also help keep busy
can help wonderfully when dealing with
homesickness or any problems.
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Meeting with friends as often as possible,
usually on evenings or weekends was extremely
helpful. I found
making good friends
helped me tremendously with over coming
homesickness
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Perspective is good.
You are in a very safe place
with lots or opportunity, much
more than generations before, or perhaps
you are one of several
baby boomers
making a new life for yourself. Either way, you
have opportunity to meet great new
friends,
Korean friends,
save descent money, travel and more.
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During my first few years in Korea I met
friends often and now also
enjoy time on my own. I enjoy hours
in a star bucks on a Saturday or home at nights
working on this site,
hiking,
bath houses,
beaches, weekend getaways,
art and museums,
entertainment and more.
There many activities to keep you busy in Korea to
help you combat and dissolve your homesickness.
Stay positive, keep perspective, avoid dwelling
on negativity,
relax and enjoy
your
time in Korea.
Try to adapt as
much as possible.
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During my stay in Korea most ESL teachers
I have met have had some level of homesickness, but
mostly in the first little while of being here. It does
pass and you will enjoy yourself.
It is rare for anyone to be extremely homesick for
and extended time and
especially after their
first three months in Korea.
Elaborate Information
Phone Cards
- The first year I arrived
in Korea I had not bothered with international
phone cards. My phone bill was over 2000 USD
that first year. Phone cards can be purchased at
many, but not every, seven elevens, family marts,
or other convenient type stores. You will see these
stores throughout all cities and most small towns
in Korea. You can ask for an international phone
card but be careful not get a local pay phone card.
The international cards should contain calling time
information and cost 10 000 won. Calling time to
North America can range from two to four hours,
depending on the card. Local pay phone
cards may cost between 3000-5000 won.
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