Hi there, it’s Willow, one month post-Korea! I expected that there would be some unexpected culture shocks when returning to America, but these are my top 5 shocks over the past month:
- Tipping culture: In South Korea, tipping is not normal because service charges are included. It’s very relieving to not have to calculate how much to tip or worry that you will offend someone for not giving them enough for their service. In comparison, tipping culture has reached an inane point in America. I walked into a coffee shop next door to my work the other week, grabbed an energy drink, went to the checkout, and they still asked me to tip them even though all the worker did was take my payment!
- Volume levels: In America, people are used to talking at any volume they think is acceptable. This is not the case in South Korea. No matter if you’re in a store or on a crowded bus, it is extremely quiet. The culture there prioritizes being in harmony with those around you, so talking loudly is considered very rude. Coming back to America felt like a huge shock due to the noise levels!
- Customer service: American service workers tend to be very friendly compared to South Koreans. While South Koreans are not rude by any means, they just know what their job is and will finish their interaction with you as efficiently as possible. It’s much more common to have a friendly conversation with American workers.
- Greasy foods: South Korean dishes never made me feel super bloated or heavy. They have a variety of side dishes (called banchan), which normally have several different vegetable options. Their products seem to be of better quality, too. Since returning, I have noticed I have felt worse after eating American food.
- Social formality: While I touched on this earlier, I felt it deserved its own bullet point. South Koreans are very strict in their culture when it comes to formality. You must address those older than you in a formal tone, even if they’re only a year older. After coming back to America, it felt strange to hear and see how casually younger people interact with those older than them.
While I have gotten over my initial shock at these cultural differences in the month since I’ve been back, I fully believe I will keep some of the habits of South Koreans. I found it to be very nice to be out in public and see how respectful people were of those around them. Even the way they carry themselves seems to have more thought put into it than I am used to carrying myself. I find myself missing things like certain foods we normally ate, the amazing public transportation, and the general feel of Seoul.
I loved my time in South Korea, and I cannot recommend studying abroad more. If you have the opportunity, do it! You will make memories that last a lifetime.
Pictured below is a 35mm film photo of my professor, Dr. Eyun Jung Ki, and me at Yonsei University, where we studied.
