Hi everyone
So I’ve been in Korea for almost two years and I’m a brown skinned girl in my mid twenties from South Africa.
There are usually a lot of negative reviews but I haven’t experienced the negatives so I just wanted to put my life here out there for everyone else to see.
When I first came in with Epik, I didn’t come in with everyone else, it was just an urgent post so I came alone. I was prepared for being alone but not entirely for the loneliness. However, I did feel very welcome in each city I stayed and visited in.
The first week in I got free things from a convenience store because the old uncle said I looked like someone from his church and just to welcome me here. The second week I got my housing and there is a convenience store right opposite my house, because of my dietary restrictions if I was about to buy something I shouldn’t, the lady would come out of the register and tell me not to eat it coz it contains things and offer other options to suit me. And so I built a good rapport with her. Every place I frequent gave more small talk than other places because as you might have heard, small talk is not that common here. At this point even my colleagues would remind me of things I have told them and everyone looks out for me.
In busses, there are still times when they wouldnt sit next to me but I don’t mind it. Most of the new places I visit, especially for a longer period, maybe to do my nails or my hair, they get nervous initially but eventually we end up talking about various things. Ofcourse this also has to do with my level of Korean now, but initially, it was a bit harder to talk that much to them. Now we talk about various things.
Now the reason I’m posting this, even though it isn’t very detailed, is because a friend of mine just moved in and she did extensive research and honestly coming from South Africa, it is a bit scary. You have to be more guarded but this place has been so comfortable and convenient that I feel at home. So for everyone having concerns, I hope you find more courage to just let things happen here.
Also to note, not everything is personal, some are just in their own minds and you don’t have to think about it. I know I had some issues trying to understand why certain people act a certain way but that’s just something that they may be going through, a tough day, a family issue, whatever it may be, and they don’t openly talk about it but it’s not because of you.
So for anyone coming here, i hope you come with an open mind and i hope you have a good time here 🫶🏻
submitted by /u/nims1234
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