New Foreign English Teachers in Korean Public Schools -- Health and Homesickness in Korea

The writing below is from a selection of writings in an orientation program I wrote and put together.

I'll preface the writing below by saying that it is based on my own interpretations of the socio-cultural experiences that foreign teachers have in Korea. It is also based on listening to, and reading, many foreign teachers stories about living in Korea, and teaching in the Korean public school system.

And again, if you copy this and use it please cite the source: Jason Ryan.

Thanks,

J


Health - Establish a Protocol for when you are Sick

If, and when, you get sick in Korea you will have to deal with many things that are different than in your home country. Talk to your co-teacher about your preferences for when you are sick.

A story that I have heard some native English teachers experience (myself included) is that when they are sick, and have taken the day off from work, a small group of Korean teachers will come to the native teacher’s apartment. This may or may not be a good thing depending on how sick you are. Hosting a small visit (that may feel like a party) is not what many native English speakers wish to do when they are ill. You may need to specify that you only wish to see your primary co-teacher when you are ill, and/or only those Korean teachers that you have become close friends with; explain that you would prefer that a large number of Korean teachers do not visit your apartment when you are sick.

Also, you will likely need to explain that while Koreans like to share details about almost everything involving their native English teacher, that many foreigners do not like to have their symptoms and illness details, and treatment details, shared with the entire teaching faculty, and even sometimes with the students. Explain that it is enough for the other teachers and students to know that you are ill, but that they do not need to know specific details. Do expect, however, that your primary co-teacher, principal, and vice-principal will need to know the details.

A very important point that should also be discussed is what your primary co-teacher should do in the event that you do not answer your door when they come to visit. Often the building manager will have no problem with unlocking your apartment door—without your permission or a warning—and letting your principal, vice-principal, and primary co-teacher (and anyone else who may have come along) into your apartment. If you are ill, and sleeping, you may be in for a huge shock when the visitors all see you in your sleeping/sick attire . . . this can create a very awkward and potentially negative situation.

Discuss with your co-teacher that knocking once or twice before unlocking the door and entering is not enough. That they should knock very loudly several times, and yell in English who it is that is at the door, and that they want to see you. Then that they should wait for at least a full minute in case you need to dress yourself to go to the door. And that if there is still no answer from you after a minute, that they should try to call your cell phone, or land line, before deciding to unlock the door and enter your apartment.

This may all sound rather paranoid and excessive—but wait until something like this happens to you, or a friend, and you may change your perspective . . .

Going to the Doctor/Hospital in Korea - "You should go to the hospital . . ."

As a foreigner living and teaching in Korea—get used to hearing this statement a lot. Korea does not have a culture of family doctor clinics. So, when you have a mild illness or injury—you go to the hospital. If you have a stomach ache or headache or bad cut—you go to the hospital. If you aren’t sure what medicine to buy at the pharmacy for your cold—go to the hospital . . . get the idea?

So, try and have some patience and understanding for this major cultural difference. When you are sick, or have an injury, you will not be at your best in terms of energy and thinking . . . but try and keep in mind that you are a visitor in Korea, and that the advice, "You should go to the hospital," is an expression of concern for your well being, and the generally accepted, culturally normal thing to say to someone who appears to be unwell in any and all ways.

It seems like a lot of people in Korea are also not accustomed to, or educated in, many of the common medical terms and knowledge that Westerners learn through popular culture, and education in school. So, when they go to the hospital there is a strong faith and trust (what some might call a "blind trust") in the doctor that is quite common. Accepting the diagnosis without question, the prescribed pills (sometimes as many as 12 or more different kinds of pills) without knowing what they are, what they do, what their side-effects are, and what you should know in general about the medicine . . . Koreans generally just take their medicine and do as they are told by their doctor. Asking the nurse or doctor, who is about to give you an injection, ‘what is it?’, and, ‘why are you giving this to me?’—are just not seen as being necessary questions . . . keep these things in mind if and when you go to the hospital in Korea.

Mental and Physical Health in Korea

For many foreigners arriving in Korea it might seem like they have entered a never ending party culture, but try to remember why you were recruited, hired, and flown over to Korea—to teach English.

Going out on week-nights to party is generally not a good idea. English Instructors should not come to work hung-over and exhausted from a late night out, and then be teaching young students. Your students and co-teachers will notice your condition, and it will impact the levels of respect and interaction quality you have with them in the teacher-student relationship.

Mental and physical stress and fatigue from teaching all day, and dealing with the different challenges and issues that living and teaching in Korea present to us should not turn into a ‘license to party hard’ as a stress release mechanism. Consider getting a gym membership, checking out the local mountain and hiking places, sign up for a Taekwando class, Yoga classes, or any of the many different healthy ways one can decompress from a challenging day of teaching English.

The 3, 6, 9, and 11 Month Phenomenon (Homesickness and Cultural Difference Adjustments)

My recruiter told the group I came to Korea with (in 2005) about this phenomenon and I didn't believe him at the time. But after the sixth month mark came, and I was feeling homesick and having a hard time with some cultural differences, I remembered what he had said. I realized that I had also been unhappy around the 3 month mark too.

Call a friend and talk to them. Call a native teacher who has been in Korea longer than you and talk to them about what you are going through (buy them dinner, or some drinks, as a thank you for their time and experience). Talking with people who have been in Korea longer than you, and who have a generally positive outlook on living and teaching in Korea can really help you out. They can give you suggestions about how to deal with what your feeling, or your situation, that you may not be aware of because you've never had to deal with it before in your home country.

Bear in mind that if you talk to other foreigners who have a negative attitude about life in Korea that it will make you feel worse, and any advice that they give you may make your situation worse. I am not saying that we should never be critical or negative about life in Korea, but I am saying that the WAY we go about it needs some care.

Good luck.