We've been in Korea almost three months now! Wow, the time has flown by. However, there is this little thing called Culture Shock that affects anyone living in a different culture for more than a few weeks. It has hit us pretty hard too. I have been in a bad mood the past few weeks and I was trying to figure out why and I remembered learning about the stages of culture shock in college. So since I didn't remember them all I decided to look them up and found out that there are four stages.
The first is called the "honeymoon" phase. This is the phase where your experience is seen in a romantic light. The place is new and exciting. You love different aspects of the culture like the food, scenery, way of life, that kind of thing. This stages usually lasts for a couple of weeks.
The second stage is called the "negotiation" phase. This is the phase I believe Teddy and I are in right now, It's not the best one to be in. This is when differences between the old and new culture become apparent and may create anxiety. You become frustrated and angry by experiences that strike you as strange, offensive and unacceptable. These usually relate to the language barrier, public hygene, traffic safety and type or quality of food. For example a person may long for food the way it is prepared in one's native country, miss the comforts in one's native couuntry, etc.
The third phase is called the "adjustment" phase. After about 6-12 months, one grows accustomed to the new culture and develops routines. One knows what to expect in the country and it's doesn't feel new anymore. One becomes concerned with basic living and things become more normal. The culture begins to make sense.
The fourth stage is the "mastery" phase. In this phase, one is able to participate fully and comfortably in the host culture. Mastery does not mean total conversion. Some people do not adopt some aspects of the host culture. However, I don't think we will reach this stage since it seems one has to be in a host country for more than a year for this to occur.
Here is a list of things that I have noticed that are much different from what I am used to. Some are awesome, others not so much.
- Sometimes people pee in the street, only seen it once but was a little shocked by it.
- All sports in Korea have cheerleaders, including baseball.
- Pencils don't come with erasers. You buy those separately.
- It is perfectly normal to hit the kids if they misbehave.
- It is also perfectly normal for kids to bring swords and toy guns to school.
- Western humor doesn't always translate here.
- Koreans are group oriented people.
- They love Disney here, I do too.
- Giving affection is important while teaching English.
- You dry your clothes on a drying rack here.
- Clothes and electronics are so expensive here.
- Walking a ton, is a must for living in Korea.
- Service is amazing! This means you get free stuff alot.
- Despite where you are, you get great service.
- If you are white, you will get stared at.
- It's normal to not have a shower/bath tub in your bathroom, just a shower head.
- You use two hands when giving someone something.
- You will be told that what you are eating is unhealthy.
- There are unisex bathrooms.
- You will eat very foreign foods on many occasions.
- Hiking is the thing to do here.
- You will be pushed a lot, it's a big city.
- Spitting happens a lot as well.
- Table manners are much different here.
- You will see drunk people of all ages here.
- Cheese is probably the thing I miss the most.
- We are such a minority here.
- Transportation is amazing here.
That's all I can think of right now. This culture is definetely different from what we are used to but we are very happy to be here and know we are right where we are supposed to be. Thanks for the prayers and we miss you all!
