Work Abroad Assignment: Week 3

*This is my mandatory work assignment post, for my post on the temple stay, see below.

List and briefly describe three aspects of your host culture (inside or outside of work) that surprised you when you first arrived in the country.

1. Crazy Drivers: After my flight arrived, Dr. Cha picked me up from the airport. On the drive back my knuckles went white a couple of times as we swerved across lanes, cut people off, and ignored traffic signals. I’m still getting used to watching cars regularly plow through red lights, swerve to the wrong side of the road and sometimes venture onto the sidewalk.

2. Language Barrier: Coming to Korea, I knew that the language barrier would be an issue, but I didn’t realize just how much trouble it would give me. While I have had my fair share of frustrations, I look at the barrier as an overall positive because it motivates me to continue with my Korean language studies.

3. Kindness: I would like to end on a positive note. I have been at times shocked by the kindness I have received. I think that many foreigners return from Asia with a sour taste in their mouth because on the streets cars will nearly run you over and people bump into you without thinking twice about it. It is true that strangers are often a bit cold to foreigners. However, people such as Dr. Cha, Mrs. Cheong (my landlord), and my co-workers have shown me extraordinary kindness. Dr. Cha found me an apartment and even lent me his cell phone for my stay here. Mrs. Cheong drove me to the local market twice on my first two days to make sure I had everything I needed. And Lee, one of my fellow interns, took me to the Seoul National History museum and has promised to continue to show me around the city and teach me about the culture.