Eventually, I’d grow tired of playing with that toy or it would break. I remember very few of my childhood toys.
When we travel, we can buy as many souvenirs as we want. We can take photos and check things off our bucket lists. But most travel experiences mean so much more when we have someone to share them with.
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Koreans are a friendly bunch in general, so as long as you put yourself out there, you should have some local pals in no time!
There’s also a large expat population, especially in big cities. The best way to get your social fix in Korea is to find a healthy mix of both ??? (oue-guk-in) – foreigners and locals to befriend.
1. Use Social Media
When you arrive in South Korea, buy a Korean SIM card and start downloading social media apps. Korea is a tech-oriented society, and having a social life here is much easier if you have electronic devices.
South Korea loves social media. If you have a presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp or even , you can find friends in Korea without even leaving the house.
You can even use these social platforms to meet people before you arrive in Korea. Teaching English in Korea? Find your company’s group page on Facebook and start adding friends while you’re still back home!
Even if you don’t find the love of your life, dating is still a great way to make connections and form lasting friendships. South Koreans aren’t shy about meeting folks from other countries and are enthusiastic about sharing common interests.
2. Join Expat Communities
Everyone gets homesick sometimes. Thankfully, there are groups you can join when you want to speak your mother tongue, eat some familiar food or just talk to people who understand where you’re coming from.
InterNations has a page for South Korea that lists an impressive array of special events, seasonal parties and other gatherings throughout the peninsula. Find every type of activity-from arts and crafts gatherings to masquerade balls!
You e groups you were part of back home. The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) and Toastmasters are two examples of international groups that have a presence in South Korea.
Most of these groups are concentrated in Seoul and other big urban centers, like Daegu. But some smaller towns have them, too.
3. Immerse Yourself in Foodie Culture
Taste as much Korean food as you can by going on organized food tours. You can kill two birds with one stone: find amazing dishes and get to know other foodies on the tours.
Meet new friends by joining a late-night pub crawl, taking a tour that visits several unique restaurants in a certain neighborhood or attending a special dinner event for an annual holiday.
But don’t just settle for the bare minimum by pointing at what food you want to try. You’ll want to learn all the words and phrases possible to make your Korean dining experience seamless-and thus, delicious! For that, I recommend vind links the following video:
Whether you’re trying to order food or you’re looking for and trying to understanding recommendations from the waiter, learning beyond the basics can turn your dining experience into a full-on Korean cultural experience. Korean speakers are passionate about the food they make and serve, but they’re even more passionate about foreigners trying something new and taking an interest in Korean cuisine.