Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and through agencies like Korea Tourism and the Korea Culture and Information Service,
which have multiple outlets in the United States, Canada, and Europe, to give kids a rough
idea of what to expect and a brief introduction to South Korean customs. If your children
are old enough, you may want to encourage them to correspond with Korean pen pals or
email pals so they can make a friend or two before they hit the ground—there are multiple
agencies and websites devoted to this purpose.
It's also key to provide your children with a sense of continuity. Make sure they leave
with a pile of friends' addresses so they can keep in touch, leave enough space to pack a few
of their favorite topics and toys, and if they have any sports or activities they enjoy, look
into whether they'll be able to continue them in South Korea. Above all, whatever stresses
it brings, try to view the move as an adventure yourself—most kids take cues from their
parents.
South Korea is an extremely family-oriented society, and children are highly prized. When
they're very young, they're basically given free rein, with parents seemingly ready to cater
to their every whim and rarely disciplining them for behavioral breaches. Things change
dramatically when they reach school age, when they're put under immense pressure to excel
academically and expected to study nearly constantly without complaint.
Western children—especially young, light-haired ones—are still something of a novelty
and will be the subject of a fair bit of attention and adoration, plied with sweets, cuddled
by strangers, and given a steady supply of potential playmates. Most kids enjoy the fuss,
but it can be a bit exhausting at times. Since South Koreans believe it takes a village to
raise a child, locals will have few qualms about touching your kids or offering them food,
drinks, or snacks, sometimes without asking permission. You'll have to be vigilant if there
are things you don't want your kids to eat. On the plus side, this means there's almost al-
ways someone watching out for the kids, and frequently taking them off your hands!
