South Korea and Japan in Comparison

This is not my first rodeo. Years ago, I was an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme.  Having such a positive experience in Japan for three years most definitely influenced my decision to return to ESL teaching and living abroad. Now that I am here in South Korea, I naturally reflect on my time in Japan set against my current reality. I even have occasional flashes of deja vu while sitting at my desk. Sometimes I have to stop myself from saying "Ohayo Gozaimasu" (Good morning in Japanese) in the mornings and replace it with "Annyeonghaseyo" (Hello in Korean). What would my new colleagues think of that slip-up?

I'm sure many things have changed in the JET programme over the years and one naturally loses track of the finer details, but I'll endeavour to speak about my particular experience, both in Japan and South Korea.

The first and most obvious difference is that I am now in a major Korean city of 3.5 million people versus a modest rural town in Japan. Busan has all of the conveniences of a large metropolis such as unlimited restaurant options, sight-seeing, subways and public transit, and opportunities to meet people, including other foreigners. My choices were more limited on a day-to-day basis but life in the Japanese countryside had its advantages too, like the fresh air, and the pseudo-celebrity status I had as a novelty to those who wouldn't normally encounter a Westerner. I am much less of a big deal in Busan.

I'm teaching at a middle school again, but my current school is considerably larger and better equipped. I had around 300 students at my main school in Japan. There are over 400 students at my school in Korea, but the building was designed to hold twice that many. My Japanese school was essentially bare-bones, with minimal administrative staff, few specialty classrooms, and air-conditioning inequitably provided only in the staff room. Unlike their Korean counterparts, my Japanese students had their very own outdoor swimming pool. Both my Japanese and Korean schools offer the option of squat and, I'm relieved to report, western toilets.

My Korean middle school is supported by a large, full-time administrative team plus a handy-man and night security guard. There is a massive cafeteria for the students to have lunch together, rather than eating in their homerooms like my Japanese students. My Korean students have access to audio-visual and broadcasting rooms, lounge areas on each floor, a theatre hall, club rooms, career centre, English dedicated classrooms, and personal lockers. The trade-off is that they are monitored by CCTV cameras. The air-conditioning system, which is currently being upgraded, is supplied throughout the entire school, including the classrooms. I look forward to a comfortable teaching environment this summer.

I find the staff and teachers to be quite similar in each country. In both Japan and Korea exceptionally kind teachers and staff took a personal interest in ensuring that I was faring well and had everything I needed for a happy life. I have regularly been taken out for lunch this month and toured around the neighbourhood. Both schools also had teachers who would keep their distance and others who would proudly shout "hello" or "goodbye" with a broad smile whenever we met. Japanese and Korean teachers equally lack confidence in English, but we find a way to communicate nonetheless. Flattery seems to be a common way to initiate conversation, "Oh, you can use chopsticks. Amazing!" or "Your Japanese/Korean is so good!"

After one month in Korea, I am just as confused by the Korean language as I was by Nihon-go. Korean words just don't seem to have any rhyme, reason, or pattern. Interestingly, I assumed that Japanese and Korean were completely distinct languages, but more and more I am hearing common words. If they actually mean the same thing, it will greatly aid in my language acquisition.

My Japanese school naturally created a soft-landing by bringing me to Japan one month before the school term began. In that month I was able to acclimatize, tour the school, explore my town, and meet staff, teachers, and friends. Likewise, the coronavirus in Korea has given me an impromptu, extended respite before I commence teaching.

While some may experience isolation and loneliness when moving abroad, I had a ready-made circle of friends in Japan. From the very beginning, I belonged to a group that included local Japanese community members and visiting teachers. Being adopted by these kind people allowed me to make meaningful friendships and connections while experiencing aspects of Japanese life I wouldn't have had the opportunity to otherwise. My situation in Korea, coupled with the social-distancing necessary these days, has left my social-life lacking for now, but I am hopeful that it will improve in time.

I've noticed that dinning alone seems to be more acceptable in Japan. Plenty of people ate alone and many restaurants had counter space that was ideal for singles. Alternatively, Korean restaurants seem to cater to couples and groups. I almost never see anyone sitting alone, and some restaurants only offer large menu items that feed 2-4 people.

Despite the challenges, both Japan and South Korea are special places and great for experiencing fascinating cultures and amazing people. I'm sure there will be much more on this topic in the coming months.