My move to Korea, the total upheaval of normalcy and routine in my life, has had some unintended consequences. The word 'consequences' here has a neutral or even positive connotation.
While the lifestyle here is relatively similar to that of Americans, there are a few differences that really have made an impression on me.
1. Certain things considered necessities in the States, are truly luxury items in Korea. (dryers, fast food, dish washers, ovens, space)
Dryers- while having a dryer is a nice amenity, it uses an indulgent amount of electricity.
See the power consumption table here; dryers top the list of power usage (4000 watts.)
Dish washers are the same story. They use tons of water and electricity.
Here is water usage for an older model (I've never had a brand new dish washer.)
Pots & Pans Cycle --- 78 minutes - 15 gallons.
Normal wash --- 69 minutes - 12.5 gallons
Water MIser - 60 minutes - 10.0 gallons
Light wash -54 minutes - 7.5 gallons
Rinse & hold - 18 minutes - 5 gallons.
Also, as a result I am more conscientious of my dish usage because I know I have to clean them by hand later.
Fast food- As pervasive as fast food is in the States, it's no wonder our country has a weight problem. I have noticed that the Korean people have smaller waistlines, clearer skin and fewer health problems related to obesity. Jarrett lost a good deal of weight during our first month because processed food is pretty scarce where we are. It is much more affordable to eat fresh vegetables and meats; not to mention, much of the food is grown locally. It doesn't take careful observation to notice the meat is smaller because it's more natural, the potatoes are dirty because they just came from the fields and the milk doesn't have that chemically taste.
See my previous post here for an overview of our new diet.
Ovens- this is the one thing I wish we had. I do miss making casseroles and cookies. But the lack of an oven has forced us to find new, more creative ways of cooking. Jarrett has been experimenting with all sorts of new cooking methods with very positive results.
2. Things deemed unnecessary in the States are a must in Korea.
Public transit- We don't have cars and so we rely on public transportation.
What a blessing! I don't have to pay for gas, insurance, maintenance or parking. Not to mention, Koreans are terrible drivers and I'd be terrified to drive on the roads with them. The blog "Ask a Korean" deals with the subject in depth here.
It costs $1 to go into town and $5 to take a bus to the nearest metropolitan area. $12 for the two-hour bus ride to the capital (Seoul.)
The only downside is planning around the bus times but they come frequently enough that it is no problem.
Affordable healthcare- I had heard very good things about the Korean healthcare system from expats before I came here. I heard equally horrendous remarks about "socialized medicine" in Korea from people who had never traveled anywhere, much less been to Korea. (These were the same people who asked me in which Korea was I going to teach English.)
The healthcare is not free, because they take a small amount from my paycheck every month to pay for it. But it is shockingly cheap and efficient. I had a sinus infection last week. It took thirty minutes to see a doctor, get my medicine from the Pharmacy, and get back home to bed. Urgent care like that must have cost a fortune, right? All expenses accounted for, it cost me $8.
Recycling- recycling here is not a choice but instead a part of your social responsibility in much the way not littering is a part of American social responsibility. In Korea, you sort your trash into three categories: food/perishable, recyclable and other. The recyclable you then sort into the appropriate containers.
*I must put a disclaimer on this post so that I am not misunderstood. I am not saying Korea is superior to the States, nor am I saying that Korea has no problems. I intend to acknowledge the things about Korean culture that I find very objectionable in a future post. Also, as I have limited experience in Korea (one month) I can not speak for every household in Korea, but instead for the collective experience of the Koreans with whom I have discussed these matters and the other foreigners with which I live.
