(This blog is completely my opinion and totally biased, and may not reflect others' opinions or perspectives on Korea or Koreans. Actual experiences may vary.)
Ok, Korea didn't die. And I didn't leave yet. But soon.
I'm sometimes overly dramatic and satirical, but I really like Amazing Grace bagpipes omg.
So it's been a semester. A wonderful, amazing, thrilling, educational, drunken, spectacularly (almost) indescribable experience.
Honestly. If any of you ever get the chance to study abroad, even if it's not in Korea, do it.
I feel like I've grown so much as a person, maturity-wise, and just gotten more in-tune to who I am, and what I want in life. I know it sounds so cliche and somewhat overly... utopic? Is that a word? Idyllic rather. Still not it. Not sure what word I was looking for. Oh well. Anyway, besides me developing as an individual, the connections here, and friends I've made... I'll never forget. Perhaps if I get into a car accident and my hippocampus gets messed up I may forget, but otherwise it'll always be there.
God, where do I start. The food. Korean food is amazing. Not everyones cup of tea, but if you do come here. Try EVERYTHING. Even if it looks bad or smells bad. Just try it. I suppose that goes for all other foods, new culture wise. Just try it. Don't be a Sam-I-Am, yo. At first when I came and I had kim chi and ddukbokki, I was tearing up because it was so spicy. Now things that I thought were too hot before, taste soooo damn good. Soups. Amazing. Warm soups especially in winter. Mind blowing. The chicken and soju here. Such good memories.
The general culture here is... refreshing. It's kind of like, work hard, play hard. Koreans study their ass off. But when they have free time, they get wasted, and have fun. And study more. Friendships seem closer than in America with the hyung/noona relationship, and I really like it. Having some chicken and soju or beer with some hyungs and just talking about everything is relaxing and fun at the same time. I'll really miss that aspect.
Korean language. I'm still learning so much! I recently took a taxi to the nearest train station, and the taxi driver spoke... very little English. But, I understood almost everything he said, and had a decent conversation with him. We talked about how I'm American, but I'm ethnically Japanese, and he asked me if I like Korea better, and I said sure. He proceeded to clap and say 좋아!~ really loudly. (means I LIKE IT) He asked why, and I said Japan doesn't have Seoul. Not to hate on Japan at all, but I really like Korea. ^^ I can read Hangul a LOT faster, but I still need to study more. Conversation wise. I will continue studying back in Hawaii and Colorado. I want to get to near fluent, but it'll be hard without Koreans to practice with, Regardless, I will still study. It's such a cool language.
I've only been to a few SC2 events, but when I did go, I had a BLAST. Gom is really hospitable, and if you love SC and are in Korea, go! I brought some friends that didn't know what SC was, just that I played it a lot, and they had fun too! Really awesome experience watching the games live. It's somewhat enhanced with Korean commentators screaming. Awesome.
On a similar SC2 note. I managed to get a Korean SC2 account. Skill difference: obvious. I'm mid masters in NA. I'm stuck in diamond on KR. I even lose to golds sometimes. It's possible that it's because I play REALLY greedily, but I think that losing a lot more than usual has really helped my gameplay. Yes, if you want to get really good at SC2, play on Korea. I agree with the pros. The upper echelon of Korean masters players would definitely make GM on NA.
Nightlife is banginggggg. So much fun clubbing and getting drunk in Korea. I'll miss not being able to drink in the US. (Dumb US drinking age makes 0 sense.) Seoul really is bumping at night, and you'd be sure to find a nice bar or club to rock the night in. And then sleep in a jimjilbang. ^^
NORAEBANGS. SOOO MUCH FUN. Going sober is amazing. Going drunk is 10x more entertaining. Koreans can sing the shit out of ballads, and also rap. Some of them break out harmonies in duets, but when you go with friends after drinking a little, it's so much fun. I'll really miss being able to do that in CO. :[[[[ T.T
Had a girlfriend for a little while but then broke up with her after a couple weeks because I thought of her as too much of a friend. She got another boyfriend soon after. I'm not tearing up. Relationships in Korea are... different. Culture difference, expectations, etc. After talking with Korean guys and girls, the perspectives are just so... different. Can't really explain this specifically. It seems like Koreans tend to... settle a lot.
Conversing with Koreans in English is really entertaining. I'm not making fun of them, but I suppose it's similarly entertaining when I try to use Korean with them. Many things are mis-communicated, but most of the time the main idea gets across. Some Koreans have REALLY damn good English. The ones that do have usually studied abroad. You get used to hearing Konglish and being able to know what it means. Koreans are usually very shy, especially when using English, so don't expect to have full conversations when you first meet. After many attempts at conversation, and reassurance, they'll usually open up.
I'm made SUCH good friends with some Koreans here, I'll need to buy an iPhone so I can KakaoTalk with them when I get back to the US. T.T It's really sad, but I'm just happy that I had the opportunity to meet and get close with them. Their English has improved dramatically, confidence with speaking it as well, and in turn my Korean too. I know WAY more about Korean culture and norms, and understand things more. I've always been understanding and flexible, but this experience has... increased by understanding and flexibility in many ways. I want to stay. T.T I know a lot of American students that are happy to go back, but I'm not one of them. Korea speaks to me.
Wow that was an essay. Sorry. If you have any questions about Korea or whatnot, feel free to post/PM, I'll try to answer it as best as I can. Other than that all I can say, is:
A picture I took at a field near a Buddhist temple I stayed at for Korean Culture class. Edited a little, with text from one of my favorite songs<3
난 너를 사랑해 이 세상은 너 뿐이야 소리쳐 부르지만 저 대답 없는 노을만 붉게 타는데 I love you, you are the world to me I scream out loud but only the answerless sunset continues to burn
I think travel is one of the best things anyone can do with their time and money. There's something about experiencing another culture that just opens up your heart and mind.
I wouldn't say they "settle" so much as they much, much prefer to have any boyfriend/girlfriend rather than no boy/girlfriend. When I tell Koreans I'm single, most of them look a bit shocked and say "But you are such a handsome guy! (or something similar in broken english)."
Why were you in Korea in the first place and how long have you stayed here?
I wouldn't say they "settle" so much as they much, much prefer to have any boyfriend/girlfriend rather than no boy/girlfriend. When I tell Koreans I'm single, most of them look a bit shocked and say "But you are such a handsome guy! (or something similar in broken english)."
Why were you in Korea in the first place and how long have you stayed here?
I highly recommend coming back as an English Teacher (assuming you're from an english-speaking coutnry). There's some really fantastic jobs here. I came here basically has a money-raising venture, but after experiencing the lifestyle, I'm seriously considering turning it into a career.
On December 14 2011 00:31 TheKwas wrote: I highly recommend coming back as an English Teacher (assuming you're from an english-speaking coutnry). There's some really fantastic jobs here. I came here basically has a money-raising venture, but after experiencing the lifestyle, I'm seriously considering turning it into a career.
On December 14 2011 00:31 TheKwas wrote: I highly recommend coming back as an English Teacher (assuming you're from an english-speaking coutnry). There's some really fantastic jobs here. I came here basically has a money-raising venture, but after experiencing the lifestyle, I'm seriously considering turning it into a career.
How do you go about this? Sounds really interesting to me.
Step 1: Have a 4-year bachelor's Degree from an English university in an English-native speaking country (sorry, no Denmark) and no criminal record., (optional Step 2: Get a TEFOL Certificate, 60-100 hours of classtime) Step 2: Go to Dave's ESL job board: http://www.eslcafe.com/jobs/korea/ Step 3: Get in contact with a recruiter/school who should guide you through the rest of the process, which is basically just paperwork.
On December 14 2011 00:31 TheKwas wrote: I highly recommend coming back as an English Teacher (assuming you're from an english-speaking coutnry). There's some really fantastic jobs here. I came here basically has a money-raising venture, but after experiencing the lifestyle, I'm seriously considering turning it into a career.
How do you go about this? Sounds really interesting to me.
I love travelling tbh, and this blog 5/5!
I would like to know this as well. Do u need to speak Korean or just english? oh was too slow
On December 14 2011 00:31 TheKwas wrote: I highly recommend coming back as an English Teacher (assuming you're from an english-speaking coutnry). There's some really fantastic jobs here. I came here basically has a money-raising venture, but after experiencing the lifestyle, I'm seriously considering turning it into a career.
How do you go about this? Sounds really interesting to me.
I love travelling tbh, and this blog 5/5!
I would like to know this as well. Do u need to speak Korean or just english? oh was too slow
Well to teach English to Koreans you generally need to know both languages.
On December 14 2011 00:31 TheKwas wrote: I highly recommend coming back as an English Teacher (assuming you're from an english-speaking coutnry). There's some really fantastic jobs here. I came here basically has a money-raising venture, but after experiencing the lifestyle, I'm seriously considering turning it into a career.
How do you go about this? Sounds really interesting to me.
I love travelling tbh, and this blog 5/5!
I would like to know this as well. Do u need to speak Korean or just english? oh was too slow
Well to teach English to Koreans you generally need to know both languages.
Not really. I think every single one of the english teachers I've met over here does not know korea. It seems really dumb and inefficient, and I don't think the korean kids gain a lot, but it's a nice and convienient way for foreigners to live over here.
There are a lot of native English speaking teachers in Korea, and that has been the trend. But recently, from what I've been reading alot in Korean portals and netizens, the negativity is massively growing, and a lot of the schools seems to have petition to not hire English teachers in school, but instead use Korean-American teachers.
Just heads up to people planning to go there as a teacher. I know TL has a lot of great people teaching there, but the negative image made by certain teachers there have really shat on the image and reputation, and a lot of the Koreans seem to be infuriated. It seems that more and more Korean-American or Korean-Canadians are going there to teach English and they prefer it because of culture and respect. There are government programs that does this and my gf's little sister went to Korea as a teacher too. But all in all, i don't blame foreigners for banging whores at Hongdae, but certainly that has set a bad image for Korean women... (And Korean men they like to get their heads in on everything, even though those women have ntohing to do with them..)
On December 14 2011 00:08 mizU wrote: Honestly. If any of you ever get the chance to study abroad, even if it's not in Korea, do it.
I think that's the most important sentence for all the readers. If you're doing your studies right now or will do them in future, make sure you somehow manage to go abroad. Doesn't matter where or how long (well, 6 months should be minimum) - just do it.
I envy you, mizu, for having had the chance to go to Korea. I only made it to Paris, but Asia has always been my dream. I'll try to follow in your footsteps.
You do not need to know Korean, it's a bad habit to spread misinformation on subjects you clearly don't know Frus. The way it generally works is that classes are split between a Korean teacher who speaks both language and who would generally teach grammar and writing, and a foreign teacher whose class is full English immersion and would teach dropplets of everything with emphasis on speaking, listening, and reading.
The kids certainly do gain from it, since even the Korean teachers don't have particularly good speaking skills and hearing natural pronunciation at a young age can really help in the long run. Developing natural speaking skills at an older age is notoriously hard.
Not sure why this would be considered dumb or inefficient, since most good learning programs encourage language immersion.
On December 14 2011 01:54 TheKwas wrote: You do not need to know Korean, it's a bad habit to spread misinformation on subjects you clearly don't know Frus. The way it generally works is that classes are split between a Korean teacher who speaks both language and who would generally teach grammar and writing, and a foreign teacher whose class is full English immersion and would teach dropplets of everything with emphasis on speaking, listening, and reading.
The kids certainly do gain from it, since even the Korean teachers don't have particularly good speaking skills and hearing natural pronunciation at a young age can really help in the long run. Developing natural speaking skills at an older age is notoriously hard.
Not sure why this would be considered dumb or inefficient, since most good learning programs encourage language immersion.
I shall retract that part of my statement then, - It was just the impression that I have gained in Daejeon. Cannot tell if it's because there is a difference or not, but based on what I've learned talking to english teachers and people living here.
As a counter-point to Exceed-Dream: he's totally correct that there is some backlash against foreigners in Korea, fueled partially by sterotypes about foreigners, numerous publicity nightmares due to military soldiers actions (high-publicity rape cases), and old-fashion racism. However, on the whole you live like a rock star in Korea and generally Koreans treat you very well (VERY WELL). Since in many areas, foreigners are still something of a novelty, expect to get lots of attention and random Koreans wanting to talk to you.
Just today, during my workbreak I was crossing the road to a store and 2 girls and 1 guy started talking to me and ended up asking if they could take a picture with me. I also remember one time at a bus depo, me and my 2 friends were appoarched by 3 separate groups of roughly 6-7 middle school students asking if they could have a group photo with us within an half-hour time period. Since that was near the beginning of my Korean adventure, I couldn't help but wonder if maybe they mistook us for someone else: nope we were just friendly looking, handsome foreigners.
I shall retract that part of my statement then, - It was just the impression that I have gained in Daejeon. Cannot tell if it's because there is a difference or not, but based on what I've learned talking to english teachers and people living here.
There are quite a few foreigners that might agree with what you said, I'm just not one of them. I can only speak from my experience, and clearly there's plenty of students who don't gain anything from it (it doesn't matter how much you teach someone if they don't want to learn)
One thing that IS true, however, is that our biggest utility to our employers (well, maybe not mine but to many small private schools) is that we act as basically "white people mascots" to impress parents. The private schools typically don't care so much about teaching english as they do about creating the impression to parents that they are teaching english,
I shall retract that part of my statement then, - It was just the impression that I have gained in Daejeon. Cannot tell if it's because there is a difference or not, but based on what I've learned talking to english teachers and people living here.
There are quite a few foreigners that might agree with what you said, I'm just not one of them. I can only speak from my experience, and clearly there's plenty of students who don't gain anything from it (it doesn't matter how much you teach someone if they don't want to learn)
One thing that IS true, however, is that our biggest utility to our employers (well, maybe not mine but to many small private schools) is that we act as basically "white people mascots" to impress parents. The private schools typically don't care so much about teaching english as they do about creating the impression to parents that they are teaching english,
The last part definately sounds plausible
In general, Daejeon seems a lot less internationalized, people are generally a lot worse at english than in Seoul, and there is pretty much zero foreign cars for instance
Even within the Seoul areas, there's pretty big fluctuations in english-ability/internationalization. My area is basically foriegner-free, minus my co-workers. Finding a Korean that speaks good English is extremely difficult (and when I do find them, I tend to befriend them right away). I don't mind it tho, since my Korean is passable for most important things and causal conversation.
On December 14 2011 03:45 chiboni wrote: Now i wanna realy do an exchange year in south korea! here some questions
1. Why did you stayed only 1 semester and not a year ?
2. How much did you spend overall ? I would guess you need atleast 1k € (1,3k USD) a month, with rent and so.. so im curious!
The program I did was only for a semester.
Actually, I got really lucky. The school I stayed at and studied at, took care of my housing and food. I just paid tuition.
Also I got really cheap airfare, and they gave us an airfare stipend of 1400, so I had a good amount of spending money. I think I spent around a grand on miscellaneous shopping, bars, etc. I love to treat friends, so that's partially why it was so much.
Sounds like you had a really awesome time. I so badly want to study abroad in Korea for a summer or something. I'm so envious! T.T
So how much luggage/packing did you need to bring over there for the semester? And do you have a separate bag for souvenirs or did you mail those back home?
awesome man, i'm going next year :D can't wait! blog was a good write up! I want to read about this more! and pictures :D You can kaokao talk on android also
On December 14 2011 06:09 sAsImre wrote: Why french unis have litterally 0 links with Korea T_T
Out of the europeans here at KAIST (not in Seoul), there is by far the most french people. So it's definately not a general thing. You might just be unlucky with your university x_x
Why not 이문세's original version of Sunset glow? T_T;;
EDIT: though I'm attending University in US at the moment, I think I'll move to Korea to get a job there. I grew up in Korea back in the 90's, and though US is nice and all, it doesn't feel 'right' or 'suitable' for me.
I mean, come on. As soon as I arrived in Korea, I started eating less and became more active. In US? Sitting at home all day long.
On December 14 2011 00:08 mizU wrote: I'll need to buy an iPhone so I can KakaoTalk with them when I get back to the US.
Yeah this is definitely the case. If you can't afford an iPhone or don't want to get stuck on a contract an iPod touch works just as well if you're around wifi. Kakao for android is also identical so it doesn't really matter.
Kakao is like 95% of how I can keep in contact with friends in Korea. Since facebook chat on phones basically sucks I find using facebook with them to only work similar to email since no one wants to facebook chat using a phone.
If any of your friends have skype that's a good way of keeping in touch while being able to practice some of your language skills.
Try to initiate conversation a lot. In my case basically everyone I know in Korea are female and aren't really that forward about starting a conversation at random. When you aren't sharing many commonalities in day to day life it can actually get difficult after awhile to find something interesting to talk about. Try to teach them some interesting english word or phrase and ask them about some Korean phrases. I've found that to be a pretty good icebreaker when you don't really have much to talk about.
With the time difference and how busy it seems everyone is over there it's easy to have no contact with people for awhile. Especially during exam periods. Good luck adjusting back to home.
On December 14 2011 00:08 mizU wrote: I'll need to buy an iPhone so I can KakaoTalk with them when I get back to the US.
Yeah this is definitely the case. If you can't afford an iPhone or don't want to get stuck on a contract an iPod touch works just as well if you're around wifi. Kakao for android is also identical so it doesn't really matter.
Kakao is like 95% of how I can keep in contact with friends in Korea. Since facebook chat on phones basically sucks I find using facebook with them to only work similar to email since no one wants to facebook chat using a phone.
If any of your friends have skype that's a good way of keeping in touch while being able to practice some of your language skills.
Try to initiate conversation a lot. In my case basically everyone I know in Korea are female and aren't really that forward about starting a conversation at random. When you aren't sharing many commonalities in day to day life it can actually get difficult after awhile to find something interesting to talk about. Try to teach them some interesting english word or phrase and ask them about some Korean phrases. I've found that to be a pretty good icebreaker when you don't really have much to talk about.
With the time difference and how busy it seems everyone is over there it's easy to have no contact with people for awhile. Especially during exam periods. Good luck adjusting back to home.
Maybe I'll just get an iPod touch when it gets cheaper D:
EPT![[image loading]](http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8065/086jqb.jpg)
