The Korean society is quite inner-focused, the majority of Koreans prefer to stay during some tours or voyages with the people of the same origin or of the same status, the newcomers are not in favor of being accepted.

 You must be courageous and patient man if you want to join the Korean society and get respect in the highest circles of the countries elite.  Most foreigners admit the Koreans can be very friendly and sociable under some conditions, but you should not expect to be accepted as a member of a Korean's inner circle until some time may pass.

The Status of Teachers in Korea
A lot of teachers who come to Korea and especially those with TESOL certificates are treat6ed with great respect by the students. But every teacher must establish for himself his own behavior and definite qualities and stray within them. A foreign teacher who acted roughly or daringly would be regarded with great contempt by most Koreans, and would have problems with Korean authority who entitled him to stay and teach in the country. It can lead even to the teacher being sent out of the state. It means you must show respect and behave in good-natured manner all the time of your stay in Korea.

Being a foreigner you will draw a loot of attention:  sometimes you may see that all the people around are watching you and expect what you will do or say. So be very careful with words and actions.  Always remember that Korean society is much more conservative in many ways than North American society; you should try to be sensitive to cultural norms and expectations. Try to understand people despite what they do or say, it’s a foreign country and you are a stranger to that people; behave in the same way other do.

Female Teachers in Korea
In culture Korea is very different to many other European and American countries. Some women stated that the work conditions in Korea are not as good as at their home countries. Occasionally the sexual solicitation may happen, but its not a rule or strong tendency, though young women should be aware of this when considering working in Korea.

There actually occurred acts of sexual assaults against foreign teachers in Korea.  The assault took place and there were cases of robbery. Foreign teachers are recommended to stay together and try to rent joint accommodation. If you want to know more, read a lot of publications referring to this matter, or consult your embassy.

If you have become the victim of sexual assault or have been robbed, you need to apply to police and medical service straight away. Apply to your embassy as well. It can help you in such as to:

    1.help to inform the local police office;
    2.try to offset emotional, material, medical and legal consequences of the assault
    3.help to contact friends or relatives and parents
    4.contact counseling services in Korea or in home country;
    5.give financial help;
    5.check if the person that have committed the crime is punished in case of guilty is proved.

All additional information is available via internet.

Korean Employers
As the other East Asia society the Korean lone is also quite hierarchical. In Korea, the boss is the boss. The workers are not to argue with their higher rang managers or guidance about what is there they dislike in the working process, especially in the presence of others. So be careful with finding and dealing with new employer. Try not to lose temper, be rude or fall into disgrace during the talk with your boss, raise your voice or use disrespectful language. The talk must be in private!

Communications Problems
Communicational and language norms of Korea are quite unstable and sometimes even vague. So there are still thing to be comprehended by ourselves, because nobody would explain them to you. A lot of foreigners often find themselves at a loss. You need to know what is required, expected or prohibited, and that any misunderstanding be resolved immediately. Otherwise, problems may continue to develop.

Adapting To Korean Society
The following advice on culture shock was supplied by KOTESOL. More information about culture shock and how to deal with problems abroad, foreign employers and people, you can find in different publications and newspaper articles.

When coming to the foreign land everyone is always very much exited with new culture, new people and new atmosphere.  Later, after excitement disappear the home miss takes advantage.  Do not be too hard on yourself; it happens to everyone who goes to the new and unknown environment. But it will not be for a long. The main thing is to bare it at least one.

Time is the key item here. While living in Korea, communicating to its people, eating Korean food and spending time near Koreans you get used to these people. All the drawbacks of your life will become unimportant with the time pass.  You will suddenly find that you like kimchi; you will realize that your students are interesting people and you will enjoy helping them improve their English; you will begin to understand your friends who want to show you the Korea beyond the expatriate community; you will try to learn some Korean words and elements of its culture.

 There are some people who came to Korea and stayed there; they have found their place in Korean system of values and decided to stay there. Others feel they have had it with and leave quite soon. Al depends on a person. If you are lucky, you will notice it before you began simply hate it all.

When you interlocutors begin irritate and bore you, when you dislike your work, your students, become impatient to everyone around and have angry disputes with everyone. It may be the right time to go home.