Dating in Korea

What a topic, right? Something everyone wants to hear about. Let's cut the crap and start here:

If your only reason for coming to Korea was to make a boyfriend/girlfriend..... YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG.

Going to any country with only the goal to date a native in not only wrong, but will ruin your experience. People here in Korea, to start, don't normally look like the idols and artists from your favorite drama or K-Pop band. In fact, people will often come here and say "Oh, well they don't look like anything I thought they would". This is because they are people, too. Normal, breathing people.

Now, to flipside a few things, dating a Korean isn't the same as it might be back home. Koreans often make relationships off of little to nothing more than one date. This means they start out weak, and Koreans often break up within the first month or two. Secondly, cheating is also not as taboo as it is in the west. You can ask almost any Korean if they have been or they themselves cheated on someone. Don't be surprised by the results!

Well, what's good about dating in Korea? Maybe the fact that a local can share their local customs with you, and you may get to see see a slightly different side of the culture: couple culture. Yes, it's cute. Yes, it's excessive. Matching outfits, cell phone cases, bags, and public displays of matching in general are all big here. It's crazy to think that people spend so much, but hey... when in Rome.

Anyway, this post wasn't as exciting as you may have expcted, but I want you to be more prepared and not live in a K-Pop fantasy world.

Korean Culture Shock!!!

You've heard about it, maybe even experienced it, or just pain fear it... culture shock exists. And guess what, you may be affected by it when you move here to Korea.

Culture shock, in my personal definition, is when you don't adapt to a new culture properly and thus have feelings that often include depression, anxiety, and remorse. Now, does culture shock affect everyone? NO! Does culture shock affect everyone differently? YES! It is easy to get shocked for some people, often when the new culture is very different from your own. But still, there are others that will never get the shock, at all!

Here in Korea, some small things can really give you culture shock. Here is a short list:

• different greetings
• respect levels according to age, status, and position
• food
• weather
• appearances 
• language barriers
• politics and freedom

Now, these aren't necessarily unique to Korea, but let's just say Sally enters Korea as a study abroad student. The first thing notices is that her new roommate bows to greet her and doesn't speak a lick of English. Sally then stresses about how she will communicate. Then Sally goes to a restaurant outside campus and manages to order food. Sally would normally eat a hamburger or spaghetti for lunch back home, but a steaming bowl of kimchi jjigae is placed in front of her. Spicy, and full of foreign flavors, she decides to skip the jjigae and only eat at the small cheeseburger joint near her house, occasionally going out to find foreign restaurants.

This situation will lead to culture shock. Missing home, food, friends and family are all inevitable. She may want to go home halfway through the semester, even. So, to counter culture shock, Sally should:

• research her destination to know what to expect prior to arrival
• try new foods and find what she likes before giving up
• cook her own food if possible
• start learning the language prior to coming
• call home less often, making each call special
• utilize resources like exchange offices and student support
• make friends of all kinds

Culture shock can be scary, but also easy to overcome. Always try your best and be open to new things.... you're here for a reason!

Traveling over Korea!

Well for a travel blog, this blog does lack the more interesting things I think it should have... and that is traveling info.

When you arrive here in Korea, you will most likely have an itinerary that includes the capital city of Seoul, and possibly the second largest port city of Busan. But wait.... what else is there?

I live in the countryside outside of Seoul in a small village called Sinchang, part of the Asan/Cheonan City district. It is really countryside-like. No major fast food chains, clothing stores, malls, nothing. Everything here is based around college life, so we have restaurants, bars, a bowling alley, PC rooms, singing rooms, and billiards. That's it. So why travel here?

The Korean countryside offers a glimpse into what you can't see in Seoul or Busan. This includes farming, lost churches, rice fields, and mountainous beauty. Boring? It can be, but taking a morning jog through rice fields in the peace and tranquility of the countryside is something I've come to cherish. Near my tiny village, just one train stop away, is home to the most famous hot springs in Korea. Onyang Oncheon is definitely a quaint town that you can get used to quick.

Here is a small list of awesome places to go in Korea, and why!

• Kangwon Province, Seorak Mountain during Fall
• Jeonju, famous for awesome foods and traditional Korean folk villages
• Jeju Island, the Hawaii of Korea, home to beaches and the largest mountain in South Korea, Halla Mountain
• Daegu City, though I've heard this is just for a quick getaway
• Incheon Beach-side Islands, an awesome place to go in summer and walk out to during low-tide

Thanks for reading... Let me know you want to read about next week. Until next time!

What To & Not To Bring Studying Abroad!

Hey guys! Another week, another post.

After studying abroad in two different countries, and through many countries in general, I thought coming up with a list of things that are and aren't needed in your suitcase would be fitting for this post! Traveling abroad can ignite a myriad of troublesome worries when packing time comes around. If you're like me (and you shouldn't be), packing comes the night before a flight. Here is some advice on what to pack, and what to avoid when studying abroad!

BRING:

• appropriate clothes per season
• medication, trip length's duration and a half
• copies of passports, I.D.s, visas, and medical insurance/records
• souvenirs for friends you meet
• pictures of family and friends to share
• personal electronics
• electric adapters
• extra glasses, and a copy of your prescription
• at least one formal attire
• a FEW, amazing quality shoes

DON'T BRING:

• smaller articles of clothing like gloves
• cutlery and eating ware
• too many clothes in general
• vitamins and general aid items
• all toiletries (besides a travel set)
• school supplies

The reason for ALL of the "don'ts" is that things can be purchased at your destination. A recommended trip to the local grocery store can solve all problems. Clothes can go both ways, reason being that smaller people typically won't have a problem finding cheap and new clothes (especially here in Korea), but larger people, like myself, have some issues. Plan accordingly. Also,
make sure your bring small gifts like key chains, calenders, and anything else that truly represents your home as gifts to your new friends and teachers! Candy can also be a big hit!

Hope this helps some of you. Happy traveling!