Studying abroad in South Korea-read details please and answer best you can... it's mainly opinion. Thanks!

Question

I am in love with korean culture, and would love to study abroad during high school - for my first semester of my senior year (which would be the second semester for South Korea). I would like to anticipate how I would be treated as a white teenage girl... any answers?

I'd most likely study in Seoul in the city. Does anyone know what the schools are like in Seoul? Do all schools wear uniforms? Are they co-ed or not? What are the rules on dating there? How do the students act as seniors? What do teenagers do socially? (i've seen in dramas teenagers drinking...)-->is that legal?. Any input on the culture would be appreciated. :]

I cannot find culture answers for teenagers and I am quite curious...

Thanks for any answer!

Answer 1

alright lady, i've been a korean teenager until a week ago, so i think i have some stuff to share.

major differences in culture - as opposed to america's drinking age (21), korea does not have a specified drinking age. The law states around 19 or so, but as long as you are with somebody around or over 19, you could be freakin 2years old drinking at a bar. As long as you look mature, they usually dont ask for id, because teenagers here dont drink&drive as much anyways because of the countries superior transporation system compared to europe, america, or japan.

Yes, most korean middle school & high school mandates for their students to wear uniforms, but some don't. There are alot of international schools, and a significant number of students dont wear uniforms, but the majority wears a uniform.

i haven't heard of a college that commands for its students to wear uniforms, unless they're some military related, or private thingamajeegee.

Anyways, you won't be treated too differently than koreans unles you go to the countryside. There are alot of white, black people here, and i see hundreds everyday in seoul. The only problem is that koreans in business related jobs are so busy, that they dont randomly start talking to each other unless they are good friends. If you ask them a question, they'll be more than happy to help you, but if they don't know enlgish, don't blame them. They'll say in Korean, "I don't know to speak your language."

The best way to make korean friends is to learn the language. And also know how to drink. I heard there are some asian stereotypes of asians not being able to drink, but that's sort of stereotypes that the Chinese have created, like all stereotypes that the Chinese created for Asians because they're so many of them.

Make sure that Koreans are a relatively rare breed. They have a tendency to be unwilling to socailize with other asians (Japanese and Chinese in particular), but since your white, there won't be much conflicts.

Another thing. The percentage of coed schools as opposed to non-co ed schools are the same for korea and the states. And if you ask me what teenagers mostly do, i would like to ask, 'what do your countries teenagers mostly do?" I guess koreans play more soccer and not as much "american football", and they play online games and do things alot more quickly (they're like Italians, short tempered at times of hardship),

I got a question for you then, are you going to an international school in korea, or a regular one? cuz regular school in korea's gonna be 100% taught in the korean language, so i would recommend schools like SIS(Seoul International School), KIS, TCIS, and hundreds more. Keep in mind, unless you are interested in Koreans, don't expect the other way around. Also, I went to SIS. I heard KIS has more white people, but alot of hotties at SIS [guys and girls]. (not sure what's happening now).

Good luck, and may the force be with you. If you got questions, ask me through

[e-mail]

Peace