Week 4!! South Korea has been relaxing and strangely familiar, and to think I have basically been here for a month already is a little wild to think about. There are definitely a lot of cultural differences here, both in everyday life and in the workplace. Before arriving, I thought I had a decent grasp of what to expect because I had taken Korean language classes and studied aspects of the culture. Those classes gave me a foundation, but I quickly learned that studying culture and actually living within it are two very different experiences. The gap between the classroom and practice has been eye-opening, and every day I notice something new that challenges my assumptions.
When preparing for this trip, I was told to expect a very strict, rule-oriented work environment. I heard that punctuality was non-negotiable, that employees focused intensely on their tasks, and that hierarchy was deeply ingrained in office culture. While those elements certainly exist, my actual work environment has turned out to be a little different. I am working for a start-up, which naturally has a different atmosphere compared to a large corporation. The team is relatively small—about thirty employees including the CEO and cofounders—and the relationships between colleagues are fairly casual. I was prepared for a rigid hierarchy, but instead I found a relaxed and approachable environment. Considering the wide range of ages in the office, it is refreshing that the atmosphere remains comfortable and collaborative rather than overly formal.
One challenge I have faced is the way tasks are assigned and the time given to complete them. Often, I feel like I am given too much time for a task. My supervisor is busy with his own responsibilities, so I cannot always ask follow-up questions or request additional work as easily as I would like. Nevertheless, the expectation remains that I should appear busy, even if I have already finished my assignment. This has been an adjustment because in the United States, efficiency often means finishing early and moving on to the next project. Here, however, there is a cultural emphasis on staying at one’s desk and maintaining the appearance of productivity. Yet, when it comes time to leave, people leave work right on the dot. If someone is set to leave at 6:00, you can see them start to pack up at 5:56, which is something that I did not expect.
Another adjustment has been the length and structure of the workday itself. Most of my previous jobs were part-time, so this is my first experience with full-time office work. That alone is a big change, but doing so in another country adds another layer of complexity. I had to establish a routine, adapt to the rhythm of office life, and balance the cultural differences all at once. At first, it felt overwhelming, but now that I am in week four, I feel much more settled. I have learned how to pace myself, when to take breaks, and how to manage the expectations of my role. It has been a valuable learning experience, not just professionally but personally, as I have grown more resilient and adaptable.
Outside of work, the social culture has also presented differences that I have had to navigate. One of the first things I noticed was the restaurant experience. In many places, there is no hostess to seat you. Instead, you simply walk in and choose a table. At first, this felt strange, almost like I was breaking a rule, but I realized that it is simply the norm here. Many of these restaurants also use mobile ordering systems, which make the process efficient once you get used to it. Another social difference is the way people interact—or rather, the way they often do not interact—with strangers. In public spaces, people tend to be very focused on themselves. On buses, everyone is on their phone, literally everyone. When walking through doors, people rarely hold them open for the person behind them. On the streets, many people walk while looking at their phones, paying little attention to their surroundings. This self-focused behavior has been surprising to me because in the United States, there is generally more awareness of others in public spaces. People often make small gestures of courtesy, like holding doors or stepping aside to let someone pass. In South Korea, the emphasis seems to be more on efficiency and personal focus rather than communal awareness. During my daily commute, I have seen people push their way through crowded buses or trains without hesitation. At first, this felt rude, but I have come to understand that it is simply part of the fast-paced urban culture here. Everyone is trying to get where they need to go as quickly as possible, and small courtesies are not prioritized in the same way.
Despite these differences, I have found the experience enriching. Observing and adapting to these cultural norms has given me a deeper appreciation for the diversity of workplace and social behaviors around the world.
