Anticipation!

Yes, that must be what this feeling is: anticipation. After months of work and a long waiting period I think everything is almost ready, including me.

A month or so ago I asked my recruiter a question something like this, "I am sure when I arrive in Korea I will have millions of questions and very few resources to answer those millions of questions, any ideas?" She told me one of the best things to do is to is buy some books and then recommended some. I read Culture Shock: Korea 2009 and not only do I think it will be very helpful but I also found it very interesting and and a good read. Honestly, when I read the books I thought my own attitude toward things resembles Korean culture in many ways. I'm not in Korea yet so I cant verify these as the truth yet but this book seems like a very legitimate source.

Here are some things I liked or found interesting:

• Korean's are very shy and normally wont speak to anybody they haven't been introduced to by a mutual friend. Funny example from the book: If you are standing on a bus or train and feel someone pulling on one of your bags, it isn't because they want to steal it, it is because they are offering to hold it for you without words.
• Introductions are very important. Normally consisting of a little bowing, handshaking and exchanging of name cards so you can see each other respective social rank or status.
• Social status and Rank are also important. In the USA we respect people with Ph.d level of education by calling them dr. instead of mr. In Korea anybody of somewhat respectable rank is addressed by their title. For example my schools director should be called Director then his name and I have to show great respect by doing things like when I am handing him anything I should use both hands.
  
• Confucianism played a large role in Korea. Education is held in the highest regards and so are teachers. A foreign teacher like myself has to earn that respect before it is given but I do like how education is given the highest priority in Korean society. I am not sure how I feel about the way confucian society treats women but thankfully Christianity is helping that.
  
• When Koreans eat they generally don't talk much at all. When eating together it is time to enjoy the food to the fullest. I find that I do this on accident often or just feel awkward when trying to balance between eating and talking.
• Drinking in Korea is very important between men whether it be for a business deal or getting to know someone. The book suggested that Koreans feel they can truly get to know someone after they dropped some liquor down the hatch. I don't know if it is really the only way to get to know someone but it sounds reasonable to me. The funniest thing is that Koreans sing when they are having big drinking party's and everybody takes a turn... ah well with a few drinks down it will be fun, I have a few good songs up my sleeve.
  

I am sure I will feel culture shock to a great degree but I believe with this book making me aware of it I should be able to handle. The cure is simple but difficult: keeping of good humor, accepting things the way they are, never giving up and never secluding myself. I am sure there will be many bummers along the way but I find most of life is about what you focus on. I am going to focus on all the awesome and amazing things that happen and are going to happen.