Feeling homesick is inevitable no matter where you are. Whether you are teaching in Korea, away at college, or even just a couple of hours away from home, it happens. So it isn’t something to fear, but rather something to prepare yourself for. Although some people, including myself, had a hard time being away from home upon first arriving in Korea, I have found my time abroad has really helped me become a more independent person and I am forever grateful for this experience. Below I will detail ways about how to not only become more independent and comfortable while living in Korea, but also, thanks to modern technology, how you can communicate with friend and family back home.
Last month, I posted about the (sometimes) grueling process of getting packed up to move home after your time in Korea. The stress of my move was greatly compounded by an additional factor: moving a Korean cat to the U.S. In the end, it went quite smoothly, with a lot of the stress stemming from the unknowns that come with flying with an animal. Since I'm sure some of you have gotten pets in Korea or are considering it, here's an overview of how to take your Korean cat home with you.
I would argue a lot of South Koreans work hard to cultivate a certain image of sophistication and trendiness. That suave aura that many Koreans strive for is achieved not only through their impressive sense of style, but also in their choice of hangout spots. For Koreans who fancy themselves classy and urbane, the idea of a café resonates quite strongly and has a powerful appeal in this country. I don’t know if Koreans want to seem Westernized or maybe just really just love hanging out in cozy environments, but there is no doubt that this country is a land of cafes, and the rapid spread of café culture has led to some interesting variations that offer a whole lot more than just coffee.
Although I have yet to experience a jimjilbang, the ultimate place for relaxation, I did enjoy some great downtime at Yang Yang Cat Cafe in Busan, South Korea. I haven't always been the biggest fan of cats, but I was lured in by the promise of a hot beverage, as the weather was a little rainy that day. Little did I know, I would be staying in the cafe long after the weather cleared.
In this week's video blog, I give you a run down of what it is really like to live in South Korea, the situation in North Korea, and how I've checked off one more item on my bucket list before I finish teaching English! Enjoy this short blurb of mylife in Seoul and meet the new additions to my family!
It's been almost four weeks since I welcomed Choco into my home. For several weeks prior, I messaged back and forth with a teacher living in Seoul who had been stopped on the street by a Korean man, while walking her own dog, who asked (more like begged) her to find a new owner for three year old chocolate brown, toy poodle, Choco. Choco had been chained to a door and apparently, was abused by said owner. She needed a home where she would be loved (and trained).
During my Peace Corps days, I found that the best remedy for homesickness and loneliness was owning a pet. I did not know how lonely and homesick I would be while teaching in Korea, but I found it comforting to know that if such feelings did arise, I could always have a pet to help keep those feelings at bay. Let me emphasize that this was my thought process before actually arriving in Korea. Now that I have been here for over eight months, I realize how naive I was being because keeping a pet while teaching is much easier said than done. But if you are an animal-lover and determined to have a pet, you can find ways around the obstacles of owning a pet.
