Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and grounds for deportation to become involved in any political protest. Newcomers
might also want to be aware that the relationship between Jeju and the mainland has
been a difficult one for 1,000 years already, and that not all native people of Jeju em-
brace Korean identity. Come with open eyes, heart, and mind, and it will serve you
well.
Q:
You offer free crisis services to expatriates—what kind of issues do people
commonly grapple with? Any advice on dealing with the transition to Korean life/
culture shock?
A:
I established this option via my website as I'm a PhD-trained psychologist
and there are no counselors or counseling services on the island provided by a native
English speaker. There has not been a great call for this, I'm glad to report, though
of course the issues that expats encounter would be the same in living abroad any-
where—depression or anxiety associated with uprooting oneself and living in a cul-
ture distinctly different from one's own, as well as potential exacerbation of any
underlying mental health condition for which one is already in treatment. Moving
abroad can be destabilizing in the short term, and some struggle to cope with this.
The best advice I can give is (a) awareness of this possibility—it isn't all adventure!,
(b) exploring various stress-reduction and coping options, and (c) regularly talking
with family as well as friends, both in the new location and back home, for support.
Q:
How long do you think you'll remain on Jeju? Any post-Jeju plans?
A:
Having grown up in New York City, I view myself as a “global citizen,” with
ties to numerous parts of the world. I've established a home for myself here on Jeju,
however, and involved myself broadly and deeply with the Jeju native community
with the intention of remaining indefinitely.
Unique as it might be, the Jeju dialect isn't likely to present any extra difficulties for the
foreign resident. It's falling out of fashion with the young weaned on Seoul-produced TV,
and Jejuites for the most part speak it only to each other and are quite capable of switching
to standard Korean when interacting with outsiders.
There's no denying that Jeju's greatest assets are natural rather than constructed, but it
would be a mistake to dismiss it as a cultural desert. There's an excellent national museum
in Jeju City that focuses on excavations from nearby archaeological sites, a serviceable cul-
