Living in a Foreign Country
I came to South Korea in September of 2011. I had intended only to stay one year but I’ve found myself still living here. I love living in a foreign country; I’ve had a lot of unique experiences. While some people may find the language barrier to be frustrating or intimidating, it’s something that can be creatively finessed with body language, or better yet, learned.
A great aspect that comes from living in a foreign country is how new and unique everything feels. It’s like being a baby again and you’re seeing everything for the first time. It causes you to think and engage more actively. The excitement of participating in new experiences allows you to become more aware of everyday activities. You are kept from going into auto pilot mode and just zoning our through everyday life.
You are able to learn about new and different ways of living. Different languages have expressions and words that aren’t translatable to the English language. It’s interesting to hear how these words are described exactly. You learn about culture, lifestyles, living, and are able to develop a more well-rounded perspective of life and incorporate something new into your own way of living.
Eventually, you become a changed person. When you travel, you understand how big the world is and how small your mindset had been back in the city you grew up in. Even if you grew up in a major city, the culture and environment will be vastly different than what you will experience in other parts of the world.
You begin to think about the person you are when you are put into a place in which no one knows who you are and you aren’t sure how to act yet. You have to adapt yourself into a different environment, eat different food, and speak a different language.
What also interesting to note is the commonalities between two very different places. While my wife is Korean and I’m American, we both have a similar sense of humor and hold many of the same life-priorities. We also enjoy many of the same things, such as music, food, and each other’s idiosyncratic behaviors. While she speaks great English and my Korean is mostly poor, her family has been very warm in making me feel welcome to be apart of the family.
When we are able to look beyond color, race, language, and any notable differences, we can see a person’s heart. We know when someone has good character and good judgment. The differences between cultures become smaller as understanding increases. Explore a new country, make new friends and find a new perspective on yourself and life!
