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)