JS: I started my blog, just to document my experience. I've kept a journal, literally since like first grade, so, I've always liked writing down what I'm going through. I had looked at other peoples' blogs and was trolling Dave's ESL, trying to find information about black people living in Korea. So, I think that's why I didn't make it private, because I thought, "You know what? Maybe if this can help someone at some point in their lives if they want to do this... " So, you know, that's really what my main goal was, just to give an honest experience, and not hold back, and really give people, black, white, whatever, just a different perspective about what I was going through.

IM: And, when you started this blog, did you know that it would kind of blow up?

JS: *laughs*

IM: Yea, because alot of people that I'm talking to who've come here know about your blog! Did you know about that?

JS: Honestly, I still don't feel like it's blowin up, truly! I mean I know there was a point in time when I was getting more and more comments, and they started to be from people who were not my friends, so I was like, "Oh, people are actually kinda reading this!" Then I put one of those trackers on my blog, just for the heck of it. I was like, "Let's see how many people really are reading," and I kind of got a sense from that. I guess people are kind of starving for a black perspective of being in Korea. I really have no idea why people find it so interesting. *laughs*

IM: I think you write in an interesting way. You lay everything out in a way that everyone can understand.

JS: Well, I love that people are reading, and even thinking about going overseas, especially to Korea. I love hearing stuff like that, so I'm really thankful that I didn't delete it, as I thought about doing a couple times.

IM: Why?

JS: Well, I mean honestly, alot of it had to do with my parents, because they were very concerned that I was showing too much, that I was telling too much, giving away too much information. Literally, we got into a pretty big argument about me posting so many pictures. They just thought I was putting too much out there, and when I started to date a Korean guy, that was like...

IM: "Time out!"

JS: Exactly, like "Come home!" So, I thought about deleting it and thought it wasn't worth the trouble, but then I also realized that people want to read it and my friends want to read it, so I'm glad I didn't do that. It was so sad when I stopped. I felt really sad too, and I felt like I was disappointing all the people who were reading and who kept wanting more, and to see what I'm going through. That's why I continued with the next blog, but it's not as exciting. It's about to get REAL exciting soon, I think.

IM: Before you came here, what other resources helped you?

JS: Well, I bought a book on Korea, and... I really didn't prepare actually! I don't know if that's the intelligent way to go about it, but I just read books, and reached out to one girl in particular who was living in the city that I ended up going to. So, we'd email all the time, and just compare information and things like that. Also, the woman that taught my TEFL class had taught in Korea, China, and all over Asia. Also, the English teacher that I was replacing at my school, but when I tell you maybe I had just one or two friends, I'm not kidding. I had literally no contacts before I went out there. I probably should've done a better job.

IM: As a black woman, did you find it an exceptionally hard decision to make?

JS: I joined the "Brothas and Sistas of Seoul" facebook group, and so I kind of knew that that was a little community, but I really said, “Just screw it.” I knew there had to be some black people. I didn't know about my city. I knew the one girl that was there, and I think the first or second week there I got together with her and a bunch of other English teachers. My friends definitely thought that I was out of my mind, though. They were like "What are you thinking? Why are you moving to Korea? I'm not going to visit you. Are you going to North Korea?"

IM: That seems to be the general consensus for folks back home.

JS: I'd been in Korea for seven months, and some people back home were like "So, how's China?"

IM: Ok, so when you first arrived in Korea, what happened/ what did you see that you didn't expect? I know that’s broad.

JS: Hmm, well you know what? This is gonna sound really silly, but I didn't realize there'd be so little English. I was overwhelmed by the bright lights and just everything Korean. I actually really had no idea what to expect, so that kind of overwhelmed me....And the spitting. That's one of my biggest pet peeves, spitting and dog poop. Most people don't know that but I really get anxious, so I really had to adjust to the spitting. It's quite bad there.

IM: Do you have any qualms with Korea after living here for a year? What do you or don't you like?

JS: Well, I love that people are very open. Of course you're gonna have some that don't care for black people or don't care for Americans, but in general, the people that I was lucky enough to get to know, I thought were so amazing and welcoming. We still keep in touch to this day. I also still miss the food constantly. I'm probably gonna have Korean food tomorrow with my co-workers, because I still crave it all the time.

IM: Are there good places for that over there?

JS: No! No, there aren't, and if you do find a good place, I'm pretty sure it'll be expensive. Soju here is like $14 or $15 a bottle.

IM: Wow.

JS: I know it's illegal. I also miss the safety of Korea. Being in D.C., I wouldn't walk by myself ever after dark, but in Korea I come in at 4 or 5 o' clock in the morning and there's no problem. Also, just the general respect that they have for their elders. As for things I didn't really like about Korea? Teenagers. Teenagers can be brutal, but I feel that's kinda like everywhere.

IM: How's your Korean, by the way?

JS: It's not the same. I'm learning alot of vocabulary though, just because I constantly watch dramas and listen to music. So, I'm picking up words, but I'm not able to practice them, and so I think that's a problem, but I plan to enroll in Korean classes.

IM: Since you mentioned dramas, do you have any other Korean cult addictions that you want to tell us about?

JS: The samgakimbap “chamchi” flavored. So good! Chapchi is the best! I love the banana milk, too! There're two kinds, and if you haven't had Roti Boy, you need to get on that.

IM: Is that the hot rolls with butter?

JS: Yes. There's one around the corner from me, and I became good friends with the girl that worked there, and when my best friend came here she became obsessed with it. I also love galbi, and I also love handbags. Korea has the bomb handbags. When I first came back, I really thought about starting an import business, and if I ever go back there, I probably will.

IM: What are your favourite Korean dramas?

JS: My all-time favourite is Coffee Prince. I like Que Sera Sera. Umm, Boys Over Flowers, though the acting was so bad.

IM: Ok, so hard question. What’s the dating scene like here in Korea for women of colour?

JS: Well, honestly, I had fun dating. It didn’t feel difficult. I mean, I kinda wish I had started much sooner, but you know, I think Korean guys are fun! They’re sincere! For me, it wasn’t hard. I approached this like, “Look, Ima be here for a year.” I think it’s harder for women that have only dated within their race before, but I’ve dated outside of my race before, so it didn’t seem that difficult. It was challenging, though. It happened a couple of times where people would just stare or make rude comments, and it really got to me sometimes. Overall, though, I think the guys that I met were really genuinely interested in me. They didn’t see colour. I asked them like, “So, do you think I’m a stereotype or something?” and they’d say “What are you talking about?”

IM: Where’d you meet some of these guys?

JS: One guy I met in the subway. My brother had come into town and we were lost in the subway, and he came up to help us find directions, and we exchanged numbers because he lived right in my city. Another, I met on UBLove.com. That kind of freaked me out, about meeting guys on the internet, but I figure, hey, you can meet the same crazy guy in a bar. So, we talked a few times before, and made sure to meet in broad daylight. I had a system with my friends where when I met someone I would let them know where I was. Another one just came up to me on a bus like “Do you talk English?” and he spoke English fluently. That was kinda weird. Another one I met at my gym, and another in the Philippines. That’s the majority. Honestly, though, it really depends on the guy. If it’s a Korean guy that is actually interested in foreign girls then they are alot more open, and they’ll come up to you. I didn’t approach any of the guys that I talked to out here.

IM: After your year was up, was it hard to leave because of the bonds you formed here?

JS: Not really. I knew going into it that I only wanted to do one year. I knew I wanted to start grad school. Had I not wanted to do grad school I probably would’ve stayed another year. I was sad, but I didn’t feel like I wanted to stay and put off the other bigger things.

IM: So, now that you’re back in the states, what are you doing?

JS: Well, right now, I’m living in D.C. I was awarded the Rangel Fellowship in International Affairs. With this fellowship, it seeks to diversify or bring different cultures together into the Foreign Service. So, in addition to paying for tuition for a grad program, I do two internships. The one that I’m doing right now is on Capitol Hill. I work on a foreign policy subcommittee in the Senate, and then next summer, I will have to do an internship at an embassy overseas. It’s pretty great. My life is pretty much planned out for the next 5 years.

IM: So how’s where you work?

JS: Working in Congress? It’s very much corporate. You bump into people, and you kind of get star-struck because you’re used to seeing them on CNN.

IM: Are you hoping of running into Obama?

JS: You don’t even know! I’m just waiting for my moment. I will be ready if I meet Obama...No, I won’t. I would probably fall out. If I ran into him I’d be like, totally stupid.

IM: Has your experience in Korea helped you with what you’re doing now?

JS: Yea, absolutely. Living in Korea for a year was extremely helpful, because there aren’t alot of people of colour who: 1. Leave the country and 2. Go to Asia. So the fact that I did that alone just shows that I like to challenge myself. Also, if I can stand up in front of a classroom of kids who don’t speak English and try to teach them English...It’s a really hard profession, you know! Alot of people think you come over here and just screw around, but you don’t. I earned that money! I worked hard! So, yea, all of my experiences have helped to craft where I’ve ended up.

IM: What advice would you give to people who are still kind of weary about living abroad ?

JS: Well, if they’re still feeling a little bit unsure about it, I would say read my blog, but also just do your research! On one of my very last posts, I definitely tried to reemphasize that. Don’t be so intimidated and don’t be so locked into what people’s opinions are about a place before you go there. Take things with a grain of salt. Also, you really have to be very open-minded when you get there. For instance, if you’re a black person going to Asia, just know that you’re going to get stared at. People are going to want to take pictures of you. Know it will get old very fast, but also know that you’re going to get what you give. I think that if you put yourself out there and really try to embrace their culture, you’ll find that they’ll reciprocate that appreciation. That’s my best advice for wherever you go.

You can visit Joia’s former blog, The Seoul of Black Folks, at:

joiasia.blogspot.com.