Arts and Culture
While missing home and complaining about where you are is a normal part of the ex-pat lifestyle, you will often find that those who complain the most are those that exert the least effort getting the most out of their time abroad. Any country will suck if you never give it a chance. If you get tired of spending your weekends listening to other foreigners whinge, there are alternative diversionary activities to engage in, most depend on where you live, but be assured, there are always things that will make you smile and bring you back into touch with why you started on this adventure in the first place.
Get a guide book and get out.
Gyeongju (Gyoungju, Gyungju, Kyungju, Kyeongju) however you want to spell it, is a must not miss place in Korea. Any teacher who goes to Korea and does not make it to Gyeongju was not interested in the culture of Korea.
Gyeongju was the capital of the Shilla Kingdom for over 1000 years. It offers an amazing perspective on Korean culture and history. The massive buddha in a cave is a sight to see. I took a rare turn with a buddy when we were there trying to find some off the track place where there were little buddhas carved into the mountainside. When we finally stumbled upon the base of a mountain where there happened to be a small temple we asked a monk where this place was. He was astounded, both at our attempts to speak Korean and by the knowledge that we were seeking this place that no one knew about. Oddly, we had found it when we stopped to ask for directions. Amazing. What happened that day was amazing. I will not share more for the simple fact that I believe some places sacred and in an effort to maintain that sanctity those who seek it will already have enough information to start the journey to find it. There is nothing lonely about the Lonely Planet.
Each city offers it's own museums and art galleries. Many also have theater districts where you can see live performances. Seek these places out. They are a lot of fun.
In Seoul there are two fabulous areas, Insadong and Haehwa. Be sure to check both of them out and walk the back streets.
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“I recently returned from my first year in Korea. I spent it in Jeonju where the foreign community is very close and open to all new people. Footprints made the journey so easy, especially their step-by-step guide to getting all paper work done properly the first time! I was placed with/chose a decent school where the teachers and students were great. I occasionally had troubles, but it was not Footprints fault, but a cultural difference and I had to learn to change my thinking to better negotiate my needs. No journey is a walk in the park, but Footprints made the difficult and stressful parts more bearable. I am glad I went with them, and if or when I go back, I would like to be represented by Footprints!”
