Living and working in a new country is always a mix of excitement, confusion, and learning. Since moving to Korea, there have been so many times when I’ve stopped and thought, “Wait, am I doing this right?” And honestly, most of those moments have had something to do with trying to figure out the cultural expectations, both in everyday life and in the workplace. The hardest part for me to adjust to so far has been the hierarchical nature of Korean culture and the different ways of addressing people. It’s something that’s deeply ingrained in society and affects everything from how you talk to people to what kind of behavior is acceptable in certain situations, and even how tasks are delegated at work.

One of the biggest hurdles for me pes been learning how to properly address people depending on their age, position, or relationship to me. In Korean culture, there are many different levels of speech and a lot of different titles and honorifics to keep track of. For example, you don’t just call someone by their name, especially if they’re older than you or have a higher rank. There’s an expectation to use titles like sunbaenim and seonsaengnim, depending on the setting and who you’re talking to. At the same time, even if you’re trying to be respectful, there are things you’re not supposed to say or ways you shouldn’t refer to someone, which can be just as important as knowing what to say. It’s a balancing act that has been tricky for me to figure out.

In America, things are a lot more casual in comparison. You can usually call your boss by their first name, and you don’t have to calculate how much older someone is before speaking to them. But here in Korea, even something as simple as ordering food with a group or introducing yourself at a meeting can feel like a test. I’ve often found myself second-guessing whether I used the correct honorific. It is not just about being polite, it’s also about showing that you understand your place in the social structure, and that’s a big deal here.

Then there’s the workplace culture, which has also been a big adjustment. As an intern in Korea, I’ve noticed that the expectations are different from what I’ve experienced back home. In the U.S., internships are usually about contributing to a company in a meaningful way, taking on tasks that help the team meet goals or projects that have clear deliverables. Of course, you’re learning as you go, but you’re also seen as someone who is there to lighten the load a bit. Here in Korea, my experience has been more focused on my learning through observation and personal development tasks. I’ve been given assignments not necessarily to help the company right away, but to help me understand how things work and to build trust.

At first, this was really frustrating. I kept wondering, “Why am I doing this? How is this helping anyone?” But over time, I started to realize that trust and relationships in Korean workplaces are built very differently. There’s a huge emphasis on proving that you’re reliable, respectful, and committed. It’s less about being efficient right away and more about showing that you’re willing to be a team player even if that means starting slow. I’ve also learned that patience is a virtue here, and things like hierarchy and seniority matter when it comes to who gets to take initiative.

Both of these cultural aspects, the hierarchical communication style and the way internships are structured, have been challenging for me mainly because they’re so different from the norms I grew up with. That said, I’m starting to get used to it more and more every day. The longer I’m here, the more I understand why these systems exist and how they help things run smoothly in their way. I’ve also noticed that once you start getting it right, even just a little, people appreciate the effort. There’s a certain warmth and mutual respect that comes from trying to understand and adapt to another culture, and that’s been incredibly rewarding for me.

So yes, assimilating into Korean culture has had its tough moments. I’ve had a few awkward silences, nervous greetings, and moments where I said something and immediately regretted it. But I’ve also learned a lot not just about Korea, but about myself and how flexible I can be. Every culture has its complexities, and it takes time to understand them fully. But with a little patience, an open mind, and a willingness to learn from mistakes, it gets easier. And honestly, it’s all part of the journey. 

Below are some pictures of my weekend trip to Busan!