How to find other foreigners in Korea

It can sometimes get lonely in Korea. This is especially true for people who have not traveled before. What you do the first couple of days, weeks and for some even months is important. This is the time you feel the loneliness of being in a foreign country the most.

When I arrived in Korea, it wasn’t that bad because I met other foreigners who went above and beyond to make things a little easier for me to adjust. I really appreciated it because even though I have traveled to other countries before, I could still feel the loneliness, especially on weekends when I was not working.

So, what do you do to help you adjust? I found the ideas I have listed below to be very helpful because they allowed me to be a little more social than I have ever being at any point in my life. Now I am comfortable enough to retreat to my “loner ways” because I know when I need to hang out with other foreigners, they are there, I have found them and we have a very interesting group dynamic.

I employed a few methods in coming in contact with other foreigners in Korea. However, you can use these no matter where you travel. So, don’t go to the top of the highest building and yell,

hello, anyone out there?

If I didn’t meet other foreign Teachers at my school, I would have tried this. I don’t know what would have came of it but if you try it and it works let me know and I will add it to this list . If you are lucky, you will arrive knowing a person or two either from talking over the phone, or previous interaction before your travels. If you are not one of those luck people then here is what you can do.

1. Random walks

   I go on random walks some Sunday mornings and on these aimless walks I have met some Teachers at other institutions. I have met families on vacation. It is refreshing when you meet families because they remind you of home.

2. Attend events

   Luckily for me my recruiter hosts some events for their Teachers. I attended one of their events and although I didn’t meet anyone I keep in touch with, it was still nice. Ask the people you can communicate with for a local paper in your native language; there is a local paper in English here in Korea, so if you are coming to Korea, I suggest you subscribe.

3. Facebook

   This is a good one to do before you even leave for the country of your destination. There are millions of groups on facebook and other social media websites that have groups for people traveling almost anywhere in the world. Join one of these. I joined a group called “pyeongtaek” on facebook and it helps to see what is going on and what other foreigners are doing and where they are going. Don’t stalk anyone, it is not as cute and they say it is.

4. Interest groups

   Ask around for for groups that meet for a particular hobby. I know a guy that does pottery or something like that and there is actually a group for that. I on the other hand love soccer, so I asked around for soccer teams in my area. I play on Sundays with a church group and practice a few days a week with a local team I play with. Since I also love creative writing, I found a few guys through a co-worker and we meet for poetry, wine and pasta here and there.

5. Coffee shops

   Koreans love their coffee shops and so do some foreigners. I have met a few interesting people at coffee shops.

6. Local paper

   There is a local English paper that has a list of events.

7. Songtan/Osan

   If you want to meet foreigners in Korea, go to Songtan; they are everywhere there since the U.S military base is there. Plus the nightlife there and almost everything else mimics Western style. Itawon and other cities are great for meeting foreigners but I put Songtan because it’s like foreigner headquarters.

So, make use of your time abroad and network. You will make lasting friendships and network with people from all over the world.

Have you traveled somewhere and if so, how did you met people of similar interests and language?

I say language because that is the only thing that really separates people.

Tagged as: find foreigners abroad