InterNations Featured Blog
Recommended Expat Blogs: Seoul
Everybody who has spent time in a different country knows that expat life is not quite like anything else in the world. The confusion of the first few days and weeks, the slow, but steady process of acclimation, the little peculiarities and quirks that might strike you about your new surroundings: almost any situation you encounter can make for a great story. If you are so inclined and want to blog about it, of course!
Our InterNations recommended blog section features talented expat bloggers from around the world. Their offerings to the blogosphere have been selected for their great entries and high quality, whether they may be funny, informative, interesting, deeply personal or a combination of all of the above.
Let’s hear from our featured bloggers in Seoul:
Michael: The Asian Persuasion
Life here is much simpler than back at home. The economic climate in Canada is still trembling, and as one with a Bachelor’s degree in English, job prospects are sparse. In Korea my housing is taken care of and I’m paid quite well. I have little to stress out about. Culture here is fascinating – I don’t think I experienced culture shock in the traditional sense because I immersed myself in this new-yet-ancient culture and I firmly believe that learning about a culture, especially beforehand, can prevent painful homesickness.
Michael: Stupid Ugly Foreigner
The foreigner community in Seoul is huge, and still quite large in my corner in Incheon. It can be easy to fall into a big, heavy-drinking crowd, and that’s cool if that’s what you want. But you can also easily find like-minded types and people who are interested in the same things if you put out a little bit of effort.
Andrea & Matt: World Walk About
Korean people can be very blunt, and in Korean culture, it’s okay to comment on each other’s appearances in a negative way (at least from what we can tell). One day, Andrea’s co-teacher said to her “When you first came to Korea, your face was beautiful like a princess.” Andrea smiled and said “Thank you!” But then the teacher continued on “But now, now you look kind of pale and tired.” Oh. Thank you? Awkward.
Charlie, Liz & Meagan: Seoul Sub→Urban
Seoul is not a city that will sweep you off your feet. You’ll get out of it what you put into it, but if you make the effort it’s endlessly fascinating. Bone up on the country’s history, especially the modern stuff. It goes a long way to understanding the country’s society and attitudes. The city and people move at a breakneck pace, and you’ll unavoidably get caught up in it. Relaxing here pretty much requires a deliberate decision to do so, but it’s absolutely necessary that you make that decision once in a while.
Megan: Meg's Got Seoul
Read, read, read. Read anything you can get your hands on about other peoples’ experiences here. It will help to temper your expectations and realize that there is an extremely wide range of possible experiences you can have here. Also read about the research behind culture shock. It’s a lot more complicated than you might think, and it’ll help you to deal with it better when (not “if”) it strikes you.Learn Hangul, the Korean alphabet. It’s the most useful hour and a half yo
Are you an expat blogger and would like to be featured here? Get in touch with us!
Join the leading
Expat Community in Seoul
