What is a language barrier? Before we jump into the challenges of language barriers, we need to understand what a language barrier is. There are several definitions for language barriers that essentially say the same thing. For the purpose of this article we will use Google’s Oxford Languages Dictionary. According to Google’s Oxford Languages Dictionary, a language barrier is “a barrier to communication between people who are unable to speak a common language.” This is a pretty simple, standard definition of a language barrier. If you don’t speak the same language as someone else, it can be difficult to communicate. So, to solve this language barrier problem, you can simply learn the other person’s language, right? Well, not exactly. If you break down the definition a bit, you will realize the complexity of language barriers. Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we do our best to make more of our content accessible. If you would like to join our Accessibility Team apply to volunteer with South of Seoul. Please note that the pronunciation of some Korean words may be inaccurate due to AI technology’s limitations. Let’s break it down Common Language Let’s begin at the end. What is “common language?” The term ‘common’ describes something that is “shared by….more than one” [person/group/entity]. The term ‘language’ encompasses “the principal method of communication, consisting of words used in a structured and conventional way and conveyed by speech, writing, or gesture.” Therefore, a ‘common language’ can be defined as a shared method of communication conveyed by speech, writing or gesture. This definition seems pretty straightforward. If you share a language, you should be able to communicate well with one another. At least, that is the overarching assumption. However, if you think a little deeper, I’m sure you can tell me about time when you’ve experienced a miscommunication with someone who shares your language. Here is my experience: I once visited a friend in Tennessee. My friend invited me to go skiing over the weekend… It was the middle of summer with no snow in sight… Thoroughly confused, I agreed to go. When we arrived at the lake, it became clear that he meant WATER skiing. I asked, “if you call water skiing, ‘skiing,’ then what do you call skiing in the mountains?” He replied, “oh, that’s SNOW skiing!” In Utah, which was my place of residence at the time, skiing (without the adjective in front) meant snow skiing. If we were on the water, then, we would specify water skiing. A simple, harmless miscommunication, but a miscommunication nonetheless. Although we spoke the same language and were from the same country, our cultures influenced the way we communicated verbally. Sharing a common language doesn’t exempt us from experiencing language barriers. Communication Communication is defined as “the imparting or exchanging of information or news” or “the successful conveying or sharing of ideas and feelings.” As mentioned above, communication can be conveyed by speech, writing, or gestures. Is it as simple as that? You guessed it… the answer is no. Think about the different ways you communicate with someone. How many did you come up with? If you do a quick Google search on different modes of communication, you will find an array of results. This blog by Team Leverage Edu explains 16 Types of Modes of Communication. Our culture and environment shape how we choose to communicate. Having various communication methods means more ways to experience language barriers. For example, in many countries such as Sweden, China, Japan, Romania and Russia, gift-giving is a form of communication. Gift-giving within each culture communicates different things. Read more about what gift-giving communicates to different cultures here. Korea practices gift-giving as a style of communication as well. When someone invites you to their home in Korea, you should always bring a gift. Bringing a small gift communicates your respect and gratitude for the invitation. Not bringing a gift may make your host feel like they offended you in some way, even if you didn’t mean to. Your host will never voice their opinion out loud, but they will internalize their feelings about the situation which may cause tension in your relationship. Communication mistakes will occur and that’s okay. These types of communication styles won’t necessarily be written in black and white. However, there are ways to learn about and overcome these communication barriers. One way would be to research cultural etiquette. More tips on how to overcome language barriers to come in a future blog! Barrier ‘Barrier’ is a much more straightforward term to define compared with the terminology above. A barrier is simply “a [figurative or literal] fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access.“ A language barrier consists of various obstacles that you must overcome to gain understanding and access to your community. Language barriers occur not only among those who speak different languages, but also among those who share a common language. Barriers to language and communication are complex. They may be difficult to manage at first. However, we can all overcome barriers if we put in a little effort. Language barriers in Korea Many of us living in Korea have experienced a language barrier at some point in time. I am half Korean and have intermediate to advance level conversational Korean proficiency, and I constantly face language barriers. Below are some examples of my personal experiences with language barriers. “Have you eaten, [insert meal time]?” One night, I met with a Korean friend at 10pm, and they started the conversation with “have you eaten, dinner?” Where I am from, when you ask if someone has eaten, it generally means that the person who is asking is hungry and wants to grab a bite. That is not always the case in Korea. Instead, it is a common greeting to show that your friend cares about your well-being. “Would you like some chips and “Seolsa?” About 8 years ago, I was shopping at Homeplus. I planned to make some crispy black bean tacos for dinner and needed to purchase salsa. I couldn’t find any salsa in the sections that I searched so I flagged down a store worker and asked for help. “Do you, by chance, sell salsa?” I ask in Korean. She gives me the most confused look and asks, “What are you looking for?” I repeat, “Salsa, it’s a sauce you dip tortilla chips in…you know, salsa.” Then, I show her a picture. “OH!” she replies with a look of relief on her face. She directs me to the aisle where I found my salsa. Later that day, I told my Korean friend about this experience. She laughed hysterically. It turns out Korean pronunciation is extremely important. I was apparently asking the store worker for some diarrhea (pronounced Seolsa 설사) rather than salsa (살사). My bad. “Can I [insert request]?” “I don’t know, can you?” I went to the bank to open an account. The teller spoke English, so in English, I asked “Can I open a bank account?” She replied with a smile, “Yes, you can.” Then, the teller sits and stares at me. I ask, “Can you open a bank account for me?” The teller replies, “Yes, I can.” She sits there and stares at me. I was very confused as to why she didn’t start the process to open an account for me. Then, I realized I needed to rephrase my question. “Open a bank account for me, please,” I say. Then, she proceeds with a smile to open a bank account for me. In America, when you ask “Can you [insert request]?” it is implied that you want an action completed. In Korea, if there is no direct request for action, the question is taken simply as a question to gain knowledge. The teller thought I just wanted to know if it was possible for me to open an account. She didn’t realize that I wanted her to actually open the account at that moment. The nuances between the request for “can you” and “will you” are very distinct in Korean. When translated to English and without cultural context, the request can be misunderstood. Putting it all together While words themselves are important to consider when talking about language barriers, culture, environment, and life experience are just as important. All of these things influence the way you communicate. It is important to understand how complex language is in order to overcome barriers to communication. Some language barriers are very obvious and straightforward, like when you don’t understand a Korean vocabulary word or a sentence said with a regional accent. Others are less obvious because they are ingrained in the culture such as the differences between “can you” and “will you.” However, all of these forms of communication matter and are crucial to your understanding of how to overcome the obstacle of language barriers. Now that you understand the complexities of language barriers, you are ready to take the next step to overcoming your language barrier challenges in Korea! Stay tuned for our next blog on tips for overcoming language barriers. Lisa Peck, MPH, CPHMs. Peck graduated from the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon with a Master’s in Public Health and her Certification in Public Health (CPH). Ms. Peck also holds a Bachelor’s Degrees in Linguistics and one in International Studies with a Global Health emphasis. Ms. Peck is Korean American and speaks both English and Korean. She has moved between the US and Korea since childhood, finally settling in Korea after graduating from UAC. In 2021 Ms. Peck founded the South of Seoul Public Health Program which focuses on research and initiatives regarding the health and wellness of multinational residents in South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Peck oversees the SOS Public Health Graduate Student Practicum Program which provides mentorship and training for Master’s in Public Health students. The program works with two students a semester with a focus on ethical UX research design, survey development, and initiative implementation. www.southofseoul.net

The post The Challenge of the Language Barrier in Korea appeared first on South of Seoul.

Why is self-advocacy important? Self-advocacy is an important skill that empowers you to take control over your life decisions, such as decisions based on healthcare. Your experiences are unique to you. Therefore, YOU know what you need best and YOU should advocate for your needs when possible. However, advocating for yourself is not always easy, especially when you live in a foreign country. So, what are some ways that you can build your self-advocacy skills? Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we do our best to make more of our content accessible. If you would like to join our Accessibility Team apply to volunteer with South of Seoul. Please note that the pronunciation of some Korean words may be inaccurate due to AI technology’s limitations. How do I advocate for myself with a problem-solving mindset? Having a problem solving-mindset is key to self-advocacy in healthcare. According to the Knowledge Network for Innovations in Learning and Teaching, “people that have a problem solving mindset are conditioned to not give up on a problem, they have a sense of confidence and self-esteem when faced with adversity.” In order to maintain this mindset you must stay informed about your situation, know your rights, find support in your community, have self-determination, and speak up in a constructive way. Practicing these techniques will give increase your confidence in your ability to access healthcare while living abroad (and even in your native country). But how do you do this in South Korea where you may be unfamiliar with the language, culture, and may also lack community? Well, it isn’t always easy but it also isn’t impossible. We are here to connect you with your stepping stones toward self-advocacy. Stay Informed Doing research about the area you live in and learning about the resources available is a great way to start advocating for your health. When you move to a new city or town, do an online search via Naver Maps or Kakao Maps for nearby hospitals and visit those hospitals. Research important phone numbers to call in case of an emergency. Doing these small tasks will allow you to decrease stress and build confidence in your ability to navigate your area in the case of a medical emergency. There are also several online resources that help the international community in Korea stay informed about current events and information. A few of the resources include but are not limited to: Know Your Rights Have you ever avoided getting medical care in Korea for fear of receiving poor care and not being able to do anything about it? Have you ever avoided seeking medical care because you didn’t know whether you even had access to health insurance? Understanding your healthcare and legal rights as an international resident in Korea is a great way to advocate for yourself in these situations. All registered international residents who have lived in the country for 6 months or more have a right to National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and basic medical care. If you are curious to learn more about NHIS, check out Expat Guide Korea’s blog, “Everything You Need To Know About The Korean National Health Care System.” Furthermore, if you ever find yourself in a situation where your rights are being violated, Korea provides free legal services and resources, such as where to file complaints as well. Knowing your rights can really help you build autonomy and give you the ability to self-advocate for your health. Stay informed about your rights as an international resident of Korea and increase your confidence in your ability to navigate Korea’s healthcare system. Find Support For some, finding support in a foreign country is as easy as pie. For others, it can be the most difficult task on the planet. Building your own support system in a foreign country can be daunting, especially if you don’t know where to look. In Korea, many reach out for social support online. A recent survey by South of Seoul Public Health discovered that about 60% of respondents utilize social media for social support. South of Seoul is an online community that focuses on supporting the international public in Korea. This South of Seoul Blog breaks down social support systems and their importance, especially in times of crisis. A solid support system allows you to self-advocate by validating your experiences and challenges accessing healthcare in a foreign country. Knowing that others face the same challenges and are working together to create positive solutions boosts morale and motivation. Self-Determination This may go without saying, but self-advocation requires a level of self-determination. Self-determination is the process of taking control of and making decisions that affect your life instead of letting others do it for you. With self-determination, you can choose to stay informed about your rights and access to healthcare in Korea; you can choose to have a problem-solving mindset; you can choose to reach out to your community for support; or you can choose not to. The choices you make impact how you integrate into the society you live in and your access to resources. Self-determination doesn’t mean making choices all on your own. Here are some ways to build up your self-determination: Easier said than done, right? Understand that building self-determination is a process. Many factors can affect your ability to make choices about your life, especially while living in a foreign country. For example, mental health can be influenced by culture shock and derail your efforts towards building self-determination. English-language options for online counseling services that address culture shock and improve mental health are available in Korea. Taking care of your mental health is the first step in the process to self-determination. Speak Up What better way is there to advocate for yourself than to speak up. Speaking up for yourself and your right to healthcare is the obvious path to self-advocacy. Nevertheless, speaking up is not always a simple task. Because we live in a world of varying cultures and opinions, voicing your opinions and experiences may be a challenge. There may also be a lingering fear of rejection from your community for speaking up about your situation. That said, you may be surprised by how supportive and understanding your community (expat and Korean) is to your experiences. Remember, you are not alone. Others in your community may also be waiting for someone to speak up so they can openly discuss their situations, too. Be that someone. Here are some constructive ways to speak up: What other resources are available to help me self-advocate? Staying informed, knowing your rights, finding support, having self-determination, and speaking up are just a few ways to practice self-advocacy. When you want to advocate for yourself, knowledge is your friend. Research online, explore your community and connect with local friends to build your confidence in the healthcare system in Korea. Utilizing available resources and your community will help you become the best advocate for yourself. Below are some additional resources that can help you get started on your journey: Self-advocacy is not about doing it alone. It is about connecting with community and articulating need! Follow SOS Public Health for More Resources Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to stay updated on SOS Public Health Initiatives. If you have questions about healthcare in Korea, visit the Health and Wellness in Korea Facebook Group, or feel free to message SOS Public Health with any questions or concerns. Apply for an SOS Public Health Practicum Opportunity Are you a graduate student looking for practical experience in public health? Apply for a an SOS Public Health Practicum! Click below to learn more about the SOS Public Health Practicum Program. Research Design & Implementation Team UX/UI Supervisor & Editor Primary Researcher & Author Lisa Peck, MPH, CPHMs. Peck graduated from the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) in Incheon with a Master’s in Public Health and her Certification in Public Health (CPH). Ms. Peck also holds a Bachelor’s Degrees in Linguistics and one in International Studies with a Global Health emphasis. Ms. Peck is Korean American and speaks both English and Korean. She has moved between the US and Korea since childhood, finally settling in Korea after graduating from UAC. In 2021 Ms. Peck founded the South of Seoul Public Health Program which focuses on research and initiatives regarding the health and wellness of multinational residents in South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Peck oversees the SOS Public Health Graduate Student Practicum Program which provides mentorship and training for Master’s in Public Health students. The program works with two students a semester with a focus on ethical UX research design, survey development, and initiative implementation. www.southofseoul.net

The post Healthcare in South Korea: How to Advocate for Yourself appeared first on South of Seoul.