The Black American Expat series was so popular earlier this year I decided to bring it back for the last quarter of 2015. Today on the blog we have Brittany who is a teacher who has gone seoul searching in South Korea. Read on to find out how her life as an expat has been flourishing.
Check out all her awesome pictures as well.
If you have a question for Brittany feel free to leave it in the comments section below!
1. Please introduce yourself.
My name is Brittany. I’m originally from Darlington, South Carolina I received my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. I’m currently an English teacher in Daejeon, South Korea. I’ve always wanted to travel the world and experience new cultures.
A photo with some nice older ladies
2. Why did you decide to move abroad?
In my senior year of college I decided that I didn’t want to teach in South Carolina or the U.S. I wanted to do something out the box so I decided that I would teach English in South Korea. I just thought it would be the perfect time to leave the country. I was 23 with no responsibilities.
3. As black American expat what advice would you give to others inspired to live abroad?
As a Black American I would tell other Black Americans that they should go for it. There is a difference between reading about a country and actually experiencing it. The more you travel the more you change and grow.
Snowboarding in Korea
4. Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
In the next 10 years I see myself living out of the U.S. Continuing to travel and volunteer with different charities.
5. How do people (in your current country) treat you as Black American ?
In South Korea people treat me well. People will stare but I think it’s because they are not used to seeing a Black American. No one has been blatantly racist towards me.
6. How do you self identify?
I identify as a young 25 year old Black American woman from South Carolina.
Vacation in the Philippines
7. When teaching others about your culture, what is the most important thing you want them to know?
I want other people to know that Black Americans aren’t just caricatures. We’re complex. We’re more than stereotypes that you see from the media. We look different. We come in all sizes and shapes and skin tones. All Black men don’t look like Barack Obama and all Black women don’t look like Beyoncé.
Before I jumped off the mountain! Paragliding in South Korea.
8. Do you think it is important for black Americans to travel abroad?
I think it’s important for Black Americans to travel abroad. Traveling stretches your limits. You get to learn about different cultures first hand and not through a book, and it allows you to have the opportunity to learn a new language. Traveling gives you the chance to network and meet people you wouldn’t of crossed paths with had you stayed in the U.S.