By "Big-John" Malcomson
Well the time has come for me to leave. Before I go I have some things I would like to say. I would like to thank all the people of Korea who made my life better, and go more easily here. I have been very lucky in the friends I have made here from Korea, and all over the world.
As many of you know I have called myself a "scholar" while I have been here. That is because I came here not to teach or to make money, but to study about Korean language, culture, and Buddhism. I am returning to the U.S.A. to continue my study in Graduate school. I plan to get an MA in Asian Studies, then go to Japan to do some more study (and probably end up teaching English). After that I will return to America to get another MA and eventually a doctorate. I hope to be a university professor someday, and at the same time work to help people around the world understand different cultures. I think many of the problems in the world are due to cultural misunderstandings.
That brings me to the next thing I would like to talk about. Much of the reason I started "The Expatriate" was to improve the lives of expats here and consequently cause them to feel more positively about the time they spend in Korea, and about Korea in general. During my time here I have heard countless angry diatribes about "living in Korea". When someone new comes to Korea we (native English teachers) tend to tell him or her all the bad things about living herre, like what things they don't have here, that are easy to obtain back home. We welcome them with negativity. That can easily set the tone for a person's time in Korea. Unless they meet a really helpful Lorean person (or expat) that can show them the unique and wonderful things about this country, that person can end up being fairly unhappy for most of their time here, and really look forward to going home. With "The Expat" I have tried to show a positive attitude. Basically the message has been, "Here is how to make the most of your time in Korea". There are a lot of interesting places to visit in Korea, as well as interesting people to meet. Just think for a moment. Where in the U.S. (for example) can you walk down the street and see a monk, a nun, a grandfather dressed in traditional clothes (that Go back centuries), a mother with a baby strapped on her back, a grandmother selling produce off the street from her farm, a dog restaurant, an old-style tea shop, a video room, singing room, and a room salon all in peaceful co-existence?
As I step on the plane I wish you to take advantage of your time here. First thing try to learn some of the language. Many of your students would love to help you. Then go out alone with a Korean friend and visit temples, tearooms, high mountains, and hot springs. Ask every Korean person you meet where they recommend you should visit and go there. Whatever your interest might be there is some place to go that you'll like. Keep your eyes and your mind open!
Finally I would like to thank all the people who helped on the paper. I couldn't have done it without the support of the expat and Korean community. We have made something interesting, helpful, and fun. Please support Jon in his work as editor. He can not do it alone, or even with a small group he needs YOU! The paper is not making money for someone else. It is not helping someone else. It is here for you, and BECAUSE of you. What we have is what has been said to be the best paper for foreigners in Korea. It can only continue to be so, and even better, if yoou support it. Your donations help, but the paper really needs your time. If it is inconvenient for you to come to meetings, there is work you can do on your own, especially if you have access to e-mail and a computer. The very least you can do is write a little something about a great trip you took, or place you found. All of you who have e-mail write letters home all the time, why not copy Jon on one that contains something that would be helpful for other expats here? We are the ones who can help each other.
I wish all of you the best of luck in the world, and if you feel so inclined, and you see me on the street, shake my hand or buy me a beer (draft, of course!), or you can write me an e-mail at my permanent address:
"Big John"