Winjeel.Com

English Language Teaching and Learning

Living in Asia

Life: Livin' it

Life: What is it really like to live there, in Asia?

There are many things that can be said. If you want to, do ask questions or share advice on our forums.

After hours, what to expect:

Some Jamaican guy said to me, in his Jamaican accent, "if you hang with the locals, man; you'll have yourself a ball, man". I've found it so true.

Korea: I've found that you'll usually be taken out to bars by your students (assuming they're adults), and that they'll pay. Being there for a while, you'll eventually build up a crew of Korean friends who'll want to go out often with you, and you'll be the centre of attention. You'll be expected to drink copious amounts of paint stripper... err... soju (a very plain spirit / alcohol). Basically, you'll have an awesome party life. You may also be befriended by a Korean who'll want to be a good host for you. He or she may take you to all the good little interesting places, like temples, and museums. It'll be a great chance for you to really see the country and get the most out of your stay. If you're a guy, your boss (or 'sympathetic' friends) may want to take you to some seedy karaoke bars.

Taiwan: I believe it's the best place to truly get a good taste of Asia, and where you can live a life quite regular, without any taxing excesses on your health and sanity. The nightlife is great. It can be relaxing a or a great party. You'll have a great time mixing with your Taiwanese and expat' friends as real equals. It's a life more normal than some other places. It seems to me, currently, the Taiwanese are going through a refreshing cultural change, where they are starting to get into the pleasures of life, like hiking, photography, fine-food, free-riding (cycling about the cities), street break-dancing and so on. I miss living in Taiwan.

Japan: I feel it's just too easy, in the cities at least, to slip into either a life anonymous, or a circle of foreigners who don't really get into the country. There are people who delve into the country, but still it can be hard to get in with Japanese people, on equal terms, and have a life more regular. It seems, once you start learning Japanese, then cultural doors really begin to open to you and you can see what being Japanese is really about. If you're working in the cram school world, you'll get the mistaken belief that all foreigners there teach English, and only intend to live there for just a year. It's not true. There are foreigners there who sell products from their home countries, whole families live there with children attending local schools. You can hear some guys sharing ideas on gardening with Japanese varieties. Don't get locked into a little world, is what I'm saying.

China: Sorry, I've heard of nothing but beer drinking expats who haven't really got into the China experience, and seedy stories of some that I've heard from third-hand sources, and so I've got nothing worthy to tell. However, recently, a friend told me he lost USD$1,500 in rent and utilities after paying these a week before applying for his visa, and having his visa refused and the grounds that he was too old. Be careful with your wallet, too, he's had his pick-pocketed numerous times.

Friends: The worst story I've heard, was a Canadian girl, who on her very first day in Korea, and at her school she was to work at, got herself excommunicated by saying, "I want to get into the whole Korean experience, and only want Korean friends". Three months later she was suffering depression. You've got to have a mix of expatriate friends and local friends. You've got to explore the country with both local and expatriate insights. You've also got to have real conversations with native speakers, as a way to relax and keep your sanity, too. Take care of yourself, so you can have a ball.

japan, korea, taiwan, asia, homesick