Foreigners in Korea

When you move to another culture (or even just interact with that culture on a regular basis), you will be sure to experience friction due to the conflicting worldviews. This is just part of life and it's called culture shock. Everyone will go through it to some extent or another and different things will affect how well you overcome it.

Many people here in Korea have adjusted well. In Korea, things are done differently from Canada, which makes sense - Korea is Canada. Some people, especially a certain nationality, can not seem to grasp this concept. When moving to Korea, expect Korea. It's not wise or considerate to expect things your way or wonder why "they don't just learn English."

I read a quote about it on the internet the other day from the Government of Canada website on teaching English in Korea. Here it is:

"There are many foreigners in Korea who came and stayed; they have carved out their own niche in Korea and want to remain for a long time. Many others, however, eventually reach the point where they feel it is time to leave. With luck, you will realize this before it affects your life too profoundly. 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 others of like mind, it is time to go."

The same is true of Canadians in Canada. Don't like where you're at? Leave. As the saying goes, love it or leave it.