Discover Top Posts Tagged with #foreign life

Heeey !

Every day brings something new, and today I have started to write a fiction in which I’m going to try to depict what it’s like to live in a foreign country as a student. You might want to throw an eye at it (yes, this is targeted at the people who usually read fanfics and who are probably going on Erasmus program next year ; you’ll recognize yourselves).

#random #writer #new fiction #foreign life

They've seen you at your lowest points, when you were homesick and depressed. They've seen you cry and pout about men, women and homework in another language.

I need to travel again.

#wanderlust #miss this #friends #adventure #foreign life #worldly people #travel #love

"O süße Stimme! Viel Willkommener Ton der Muttersprache in einem fremden Lande!" (O sweet voice! Much more welcome sound of the native language in a foreign land.)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I remember seeing this quote at the Chicago Cultural Center, and it's become very pertinent to my current situation.

#shared language #native language #foreign life #making friends

Gobble gobble

In honour of Thanksgiving, which I will not be celebrating for the second year in a row (#foreignlife), I will go to Pret A Manger and buy one of their delicious turkey sandies. And also maybe buy myself a new lipstick from Mac. I gotta find some way to spoil myself when all my family is across the pond stuffing themselves sick with amazing yummy food.

#happy thanksgiving #foreign life #london #pret a manger

Sleepless in Korea

Reasons I’m leaving Korea: Last Friday my co-teacher asked if I was planning on leaving Korea next summer. Many Korean people have the awesome ability to be both really direct and not in the completely wrong situations. For example, small talk is composed of direct questioning, like an interrogation. But, when it comes down to making an important plan, the conversation is vague and sprinkled with the word, “maybe”. So, I was a little put off when my co-teacher asked me why I was leaving Korea ten months from now, although she still hasn’t given me definite dates for winter vacation. Feeling uncomfortable and ill-prepared to address this diplomatically, I pointed vaguely in the direction of the difficulties living as a foreigner in Korea. Now, I’m prepared to address these reasons more specifically. #5. Fashion. My collarbone is suffocating. I’m tired of dieting and exercising only to cloak myself in a nun’s habit each morning for work. And no, I don’t find the mini-skirts downtown as liberating as a tight V-neck. And no, I don’t believe in the “don’t give a shit” attitude that many scantily-clad foreigners adopt. We’re guests in this country and this is one of the things we have to suck up and deal with until we move home. #4. My cell phone. My cell phone has been broken since last April. In America, I would have immediately taken it to the store and exchanged it for a new one or had it repaired. Here, it’s not that simple. Communication with people in retail is next to impossible. Of course, I don’t know any of the jargon and they are just barely able to get me out the door, which is their goal when they first see me walk in. #3. My job. I can’t even believe how much money I’ve saved and will continue to save as I finish the second contract year. However, money isn’t everything and I’ve already reactivated my Sittercity account. I still saved money as a babysitter, just not as much. I think I can be a lot happier if I focus on making dance my career and letting money come from a “job”. Besides, teaching here is pretty much like being a glorified babysitter anyway. #2. Daily public humiliation. You never get used to it. Last week my co-worker told me she was so embarrassed when she visited another city and had someone blink at her upon hearing her speak another Korean dialect. I couldn’t even believe she was telling me that. If I covered my entire body and face, I’d still get starred at (probably in that case because they’d like the fashion so much). And it’s not just the starring. It’s the shushing and judgment. Or worse, the idolization of my “double eyelid”. #1. Communication. I can’t deal with the idea of being dumped out of a cab in the complete wrong side of town. It was an "adventure in the first year. And I can’t keep patting myself on the back every time I effectively communicate my pizza order.

There are so many situations in which I feel backed up against a wall. Other than among the pool English speakers, I can’t choose my friends. It’s frustrating because I know there are so many people in the country I would like to know, especially the artists. I can’t choose what I do. After work each day, life is directed by what is available to me, food, places, TV channels. There are no dance studios available to me, an adult trained in dance. Sure, I can go to the international center and make my own class. It’s an hour’s bus ride and every time I get on that bus I risk being the second person who wants to use the space and being locked out. There is not a single other place in the city where a foreigner could easily rent space. I’m stuck with choices I wouldn’t make otherwise. Reasons I’m not Breaking Contract. Trust me, it’s been tempting, especially this week. I’d love to just move on, but there’s something keeping me here and I should share that too. #5. Kimchi. What am I going to do without you? #4. Travel. Signing a second contract means giving myself twice as many opportunities to travel in Korea and Asia. I’ve seen some of the most beautiful and startling places I may have never dreamed of. Living in a foreign country has given me the confidence and experience to go just about anywhere and I can’t wait. #3. My job. Did I mention how much money I’m saving? Every day in this lonely classroom is like buying one future day of sabbatical, a day of dance classes in the city or a road trip to New Hampshire. #2. Daily public humiliation. I keep telling myself that I’m here for a reason. At least one reason is to learn humility. I’m really looking forward to reaching out to the foreign communities back home. I think teaching English to adults would be a really good place to start and lengthening my work experience here will only make others want my help more. #1. Communication. The true friends I have made here (and the one I brought with me) share the strongest bonds I’ve made in such a short time. We’re in this together and, reading this, I know they empathize to the millionth degree. I can’t wait to continue nurturing these bonds for a VERY long time whether on “the island” or off. So, here’s to ten more months…and not a day more.

#Korea #Teaching #teaching abroad #foreign life #career #money #culture