How to Be Happy in Korea

How to be happy in Korea

When I first came to Korea in September 2006, I held the view that the Koreans and I are not that much different. I believed that with a little adaptation everything will be just fine. Taking into consideration that I am South African, coming from a culturally diverse background, I was convinced that I had enough experience dealing with different cultures. I was sure the process would not be all that difficult. Would it?

Boy, was I wrong! I was right in one aspect, we are very much the same in many aspects, but Koreans are also amazingly different and extraordinarily unique. This is now my sixth year in this wonderful country and looking back, I acknowledge the fact that I had to change a lot in many ways. Let me share some of my insights with you and maybe help you a little to be happy living in Korea.

First of all, Korea is very much a mono-cultural society. America and South Africa on the other hand are exceedingly multi-cultural. People from multi-cultural societies are used to living in a world where there is a lot of give-and-take, a lot of reciprocal understanding and allowing others their own cultural space. Korea is definitely not like that. When living in Korea it is best to quickly come to the understanding that you do things the Korean way! This is a function of the fact that Korea is mono-cultural. It is their country, their space on planet earth and here people do things their way. If you want to share in the bounty and beauty of the land, that's the price you will have to pay.

Let me be honest, I like the Korean way. In many aspects I like it better than the western way. I love it when I come into the classroom in the mornings and I have children enthusiastically greeting me. I love it when they stand up and bow to show respect. They are eager to please and very intelligent; a pleasure to work with, to be sure. Yes, there are definitely things I do not like and I do not agree with, but I have learned to adapt in creative ways. I have learned how to live by a syncretistic weaving of my views with theirs. Marrying two worldviews so that we can go on with what we have to do and get down to business! It is either this or living a cynical life full of criticism and discontent. I have seen many people living like this coming and going in this country, taking nothing of value with them and leaving none behind. I chose not to live like that.

Steve Chamberlain gave me wonderful insight into how to teach and survive in a culture different from my own. You may also profit from his insight. The first step is to become aware of the fact that you have culturally preconceived glasses with which you perceive everything around you. We filter everything through our own understanding. Accept the fact and be aware of it, especially here in Korea. Your own cultural perspective may make