Despite what travel guide books tell you, cultures aren’t always as clear cut as they may seem to be made out to be. Only once you’re actually living somewhere will you
Gathering information is always prudent before embarking on any journey to a foreign country, especially when planning to live in another country for a year teaching ESL. However, leave room for the unexpected. Upon my decision to move to South Korea I had read books ranging from the Lonely Planet to websites where ex-pats posted their own thoughts and opinions about their experiences there.
At the end of the day I found that living in South Korea was both an amazing opportunity and at times a tedious one. Cultural differences, including mannerisms in the most mundane of situations, left me both pleasantly surprised at times and at others, annoyed. This included even teaching at hagwons. The first place I taught at insisted that I write and pronounce English words in an "American" style. As it was striving to teach American English, it would seem that even Canadian English would not do.
With regards to expectations outside of the work place, the Lonely Planet states that amongst many things it is considered rude to do things like "blow your nose in public"; and "drink soup from the bowl itself." Minute things that we as Westerners take for granted perhaps in our own society. However, although it is true that children especially would giggle and point if they see you blowing your nose in class, the Lonely Planet neglects to mention that South Koreans are notorious for not only sucking back phlegm but actually making a most disconcerting sound by gargling it and then proceeding to spit it out onto the side walk. With regards to drinking from bowls, based on my own personal experience, most local Korean restaurants I have frequented in both Seoul and Jeju-do do just that!
Thus, you see, tit for tat can easily become misunderstanding and frustration, especially if certain behaviours that occur in our own society are deemed inappropriate. It takes a great deal of patience for both South Koreans and Westerners alike to be able to navigate the still newly developing borders of a world, indeed a society that has only had its borders opened to foreigners for the last four decades.
Whether you're thinking of going to abroad to escape from the daily humdrum of your own life; because you want to experience an adventure of a life time in an affordable way; or merely because you are in desperate need to save money to pay off your debts back home, traveling abroad can be and is a rewarding experience for anyone who keeps an open mind. After all, even negative experiences can teach us a wealth of information not only about our hosts but just as importantly about ourselves as well.
Be sure to check out this week's blog also.
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