Experiencing the Culture Differences and Difficulties in the U.S. as a Korean Immigrant

Moving to a new country can be a challenging and exciting experience. For Koreans, the cultural and language differences between Korea and the United States can be particularly noticeable. Despite starting to study English in elementary school and having a good understanding of grammar, many Koreans experience difficulties with speaking and listening skills in an English-speaking environment. In this article, I will talk about the language difficulties, race discrimination, cultural differences, and living cost differences between Korea and the U.S. through the author's personal experiences.

Language difficulties

Although Koreans start studying English in elementary school and have a good understanding of the grammar, it is still difficult for them to develop strong speaking and listening skills. This is because they are not often exposed to English-speaking environments in Korea. So when they come to the U.S. for the first time, they often face language difficulties. Native speakers tend to talk quickly and use idioms, making it challenging for them to understand. I have experienced these difficulties, but have improved over time. I am able to understand school materials, such as what the professor says, but I still struggle with native speakers' jokes. It can be embarrassing when I am unable to laugh along with others because I don't understand.

Race Discrimination

Many Koreans are concerned about race discrimination before coming to the U.S. due to media coverage of crimes related to race discrimination and Asian hate crimes. I also had these concerns before coming to the U.S. However, after living here for two years, I have found that race discrimination is not as prevalent as it may seem. I have not personally experienced any unpleasant incidents related to my race or ethnicity. It is important to note that the U.S. is a large country and experiences with race discrimination can vary greatly by region. In my experience living in Texas and traveling to different parts of the U.S., people have generally been kind and gentle. I want to encourage people not to let their worries about race discrimination or Asian hate prevent them from exploring the opportunities the U.S. has to offer.

Culture Difference

I have found some cultural differences between Korea and the United States. Koreans are more reserved and don’t like conversations with strangers, so small talk and greetings with unfamiliar people can feel uncomfortable. Another thing is tipping culture. It is not common in Korea, and it feels like an extra expense but we know that it is important to understand and appreciate this cultural difference. Another difference is that when dining out in the U.S., servers often ask if everything is okay, but in Korea, servers only come to tables when there is a specific request.

Living cost difference

Although I don't live in high cost area like California or New York, I still find that the living cost here is much higher than in Korea. Especially for eating out, in Korea there are still many options we can have a meal within $10, but in the U.S. it’s hard to find. It really varies depending on regions in the U.S, but I feel like living cost is on average at least 1.5~2 times higher than Korea. More details about living cost difference can be found on this site(Cost of living - Numbeo.com)

I believe living in the U.S. is a unique experience. Eventhough there are concerns about race discrimination, cultural differences, and the high cost of living, I still encourage people to come to the U.S. and experience it for themselves. Exploring these differences can also be a fun and enriching experience. I hope that this blog post has provided a better understanding of the experience of Koreans living in the U.S. and the difficulties they may face. If you want to learn about Korean culture this post might be helpful.