Embassy of the United States

Teaching English

Adapting To Korea Society

CULTURE SHOCK
When first arriving in a country, one is usually excited and eager for new experiences.  After a while, the newness wears off, and homesickness begins.  Do not judge yourself too severely at this point, as it happens to everyone: “I will never understand this place.  I want some real food, some real friends, a real apartment.  Why do Koreans do X?”

There is hope and it is usually only a matter of time.  As you continue to cope with the realities of living here, you may become accustomed to what used to annoy you.  Life becomes pleasant enough that you no longer care about the inconveniences.  You suddenly find that you like kimchi.  You realize your students are interesting people to know, and that helping them improve their English just adds to that interest.  You make a few good friends who are willing to show you the Korea that is outside the foreigner’s community, and you begin to learn some Korean and use it.  There are many foreigners in Korea who have come to and remain at this point – perhaps not so much assimilated, but very much a part of the country in their own right – and want to spend a long time in Korea.

For others, however, the time to leave simply comes sooner rather than later.  With luck you will realize it before it affects your life too deeply.  It is time to leave when you begin to be negative about the country and its people.  When you no longer want to go to work, dislike your students, become irritated with everything and everyone and have angry discussions with other like–minded people, it is time to go.