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hiimleslieee

Leslie

@hiimleslieee

Member

American expat in South Korea

Forum posts

3

Contacts

3

About me

American

Lives in Busan

Speaks English

Registration: 12 November 2010

AboutActivity

About

I've been in Busan 8 months as of October 13th. For those newbies anxious about their arrival, have no fear. Getting around is easy. There is plenty to do around the city if you do some research. Teaching is pretty exhausting but I find that a little exercise goes a long way in boosting energy. Have hobbies.. that's a general rule, but especially important in this environment. And no.. drinking is not a hobby! It's far too easy to stay in a foreigner bubble but I encourage you to do things alone.. or if you can find them, hang out with like-minded Koreans. Stay positive. Your experience will depend on your ability to find beauty in all that surrounds you, or your ability to find things you dislike. Strive for the former and you'll be in good shape from here on out. A little bit about me. I am from Orlando, Florida. I graduated with a psychology degree and a minor in cognitive sciences. I am trying to use this time to prepare for graduate school, and to experience life as a financially independent 20-something. I was hoping to explore a culture of the east, unfortunately westernization is so ubiquitous I feel like I am in an American city with American people.. on steroids. On a positive note, I surely do appreciate my roots much more! I can proudly say express that "I LOVE AMERICA!"
Interests: hiking, yoga, biking, painting, eating, gluten-free, cooking, psychology, arning, kayaking, anthropology, art, philosophy, nutrition

My expat journey

usasouth-korea
Busan, South Korea

Since Feb 2011

Busan, South Korea

Lots of hiking, painting, biking, eating, drinking, partying and studying! I was learning violin, taekwondo and korean. But I gave it up to study for the GRE. Having a real job has made me realize that working sucks and I want to be in school. I have a thirst for knowledge and this job does not fulfill my desires.
Teaching is not what I thought it would be. The children are far too young to employ teaching techniques learned during my CELTA training. It is certainly easier, but not as fulfilling I do not feeling like I am developing the skills I hoped to develop with the job. I am however, learning the value of time and money.
Public transit, easy access to hiking, the FOOD!!! Boy, do Koreans know how to eat!
Unfortunately Koreans are shy. So making Korean friends isn't all that easy. Much of the youth is too busy studying. I was also hoping that to experience "the East". Apparently I picked the wrong country. American has had so much involvement in the development of Korea that it, Busan at least, feels like America. Our capitalist/consumerist ideals are mirrored by the Koreans and in many cases are magnified. There is such a thirst for money here. And their preoccupation with looks is a bit disheartening. I came from a group of activist-minded college kids who shower only when necessary, sometimes less often, and who shop at the local Goodwill. So perhaps I was living in a minority bubble and forgot what most of American is like. But then that's another thing.. I don't feel as though there is as much of a "most of America" as there a "most of Korea". I guess what I am trying to say is that my biggest complaint is cultural homogeneity.

Florida, USA

Aug 2003 - Feb 2011

Florida, USA

I painted, did yoga, organized a few art events, ate lots of food with wonderful friends, went on adventures! Everyday was a lovely one :)
I studied Psychology.
I loved the cultural diversity, the people, the food, the small town feel with big town conveniences, the culture, the sense of community... I am sure going to miss it! <3
Better public transit would be nice!