I entered South Korea on 25th August 2007. I was eagerly waiting for this day! My hubby was here already.
Coming to South Korea was a conscious decision. Both of us were in comfort zone, back in Mumbai. We had/have our own house, new car, both having good jobs with decent salaries.. everything!! But we wanted to experiment! We wanted to come out of the cocoon and to establish a world of own with just 2 of us around!!!!
We are glad that we took this step! We fought our way through all odds and came here! And I am really very happy that we chose this country! South Korea is a very small country. Much smaller than my state.. Maharashtra. But this country has an unique quality. It is a very picture perfect and a beautiful country. For people who want to have a good experience in staying abroad, I would recommend this country.
It is also a quiet and peace loving country. Well structured, well designed and well coordinated!! Unlike the other countries, people roam freely anywhere and everywhere. It is a very safe country for foreigners too. You hardly find or hear a story of a foreigner being misguided or mugged!!
The other unique quality would be, it is a very discipline oriented country! You will starkly notice the structured life here. The people here too, love to follow a pattern. They love to routinize their life with dedication. For example: Working men will completely be workaholic during the weekdays and family oriented on weekends. A manager at the weekday, would be playing a football with his toddler on a weekend!!!!
Another example for following a pattern is, this country has lots of good places for sightseeing. But a Seoul loacalite will always say that if you have seen Seoul, you don't have to see rest of the places. And most of times, this statement comes true. As, there is a lot of variety in Seoul or nearby areas, similar design of a park or a mall is followed in other cities.
Unfortunately there are lot of misbelief's rumours attached to this country. These misbeliefs vary from the consumption of food to way of living or the people overall!!!!
When we announced our decision of coming here, some people got worried about what would we eat daily, or started searching for this country on our globe or questioned us about the language or anything and everything!!!!
Our friends still do ask (with a concern) on what we eat daily. For them, the Koreans eat anything and everything.....!!!
For once and for all I would like to clear all the rumours. For the last time i would say (and please note), that this country is of human beings living for ages. These human beings are as normal as you and me! They have an attractive body structure (which actually most of us don't, and which we envy upon them)!!! They have a very healthy lifestyle, suiting the climate! They believe in family, work, friendship and above all humanity!!!! And yes, THEY DO HAVE A PROPER DIET JUST LIKE ANY OTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE WOULD HAVE! In fact, one should learn or at least appreciate their way of cooking. Most of their dishes are oil free, or with less calories!!!
Our preparations are very different from theirs! But one needs to respect each other unique qualities and try to acculturate the best of both worlds!!! If you do not eat non-vegetarian food, then at least respect the people who eat!!!!
But the fault does not just remain of the people who spread rumours. It is also the fault of the people who let the rumours spread!
Actually, this country also needs to market itself (apart from the latest techno savvy products). They should make their presence felt on the globe! Some of their values can be really shared by all. My only request to them is, do welcome change in any form, learn new things, broaden new arenas, enter the world globalization, but retain the rich values and culture which are the strengths of this country! For any foreigner here, language becomes the barrier on the first go. But when you start living in this country, one may notice ''human beings'' stay around you, thus language becomes hardly an obstacle. And its really commendable that being a developed country, one finds humanity!!!!
Apart from all, this country has given ''us'' the things we wished or came here for!! Here we are not only earning money, but also enjoying the quality time with each other! I do not know that how long we would be staying here, but this country taught us to live in present and live each day to the fullest. Our stay in South Korea has been a very learning experience, and a stepping stone in our life!!!
I am glad that South Korean Visa is the first stamp on my passport!! :)
Thank you!
Nishigandha S. Gadkari
