Adaptive-type
Participants in this study are classified as adaptive (participants 5, 7, and 9) and are generally well adapted to the Korean cultural situation. This type showed the characteristics of understanding oneself, using dominant strategies in interaction with others, and showing an active coping style for Korean culture. Specifically, there was a tendency to boldly reveal that he was an immigrant, saying that he found a job that was different from Koreans and could show his talent at work. The fact that they did not hide the fact that they were immigrants formed a framework of understanding, which can be said to be a confidence structure in their relationship with Koreans. Most unique was that they adapted to Korea while maintaining their own culture to some extent.
When I was a Korean language instructor at OO, I liked to be a ’foreigner’. OO was in the countryside at that time, and there were not many Korean language instructors, so I think it was my first time being a foreign instructor. (Somewhere) There was no particular conflict because my in-laws welcomed me as an immigrant to communicate effectively with them. Rather, at first, people around me felt more awkward about me acting like a Korean, but now I seem to be very interested in showing the characteristics of Vietnam and Korea at the same time. (participant 7) Since I lived in the Philippines, I naturally think, ’I am a foreigner, I am a Filipino’. I want to compare the fact that the Philippines is my birth mother and Korea is my mother who raised me. My ethnic identity is that the blood flowing through my body is Filipino, and as I live here with my family, I feel like my cultural hometown is here in Korea. So I am Korean. And I don’t abandon Philippine culture. It is rather easier to adapt to Korea to match with Korea to some extent, and I think Koreans are more comfortable when dealing with me. (participant 9)
The biggest feature of adaptive immigrant women is that they are at least not trying to get out of their situation or change direction. They actively faced their situation, formed close relationships with colleagues, or tried to adapt to the social system. In other words, all of them showed a strong desire to dominantly solve their problems and naturally become more skilled in the adaptation process.
While sending her daughter to a daycare center, she received about 400,000 won in childcare fees along with a free health examination service. The daughter’s childcare education cost was 400,000 won per month, but the financial burden was halved with government support. I went to the welfare center with my Filipino friend, but he doesn’t want to go because he can’t speak Korean well. However, I asked around Korean people and eventually got the benefit of the support fee. (participant 9) I can feel a lot of cultural differences when I come here and experience them myself. Whenever I start working somewhere and get close to older women I work with, I say, ”I’ve lived in Iron since I was young, so please understand if I say something inappropriate because of cultural differences.” In particular, if it seems to be a problem due to cultural differences with Koreans, the situation will change very well if I ask for understanding first and come forward. (participant 10)