Living and Teaching English in Korea

Today is my three-year Korea-versary!

In 2019, I found myself unfulfilled in life. It's like I was mindlessly collecting pieces of someone else's puzzle. I knew what the puzzle would look like --- someone else's life, someone else's happiness.

My own puzzle was set aside. I wasn't sure what it would look like at the end, and I wasn't ready to invest in the mystery.

That year, I took a trip to Washington, D.C. I met fascinating people, had eye-opening conversations with them, and felt, for the first time in my life, like I could imagine myself living somewhere outside Florida. 🧩

Just two weeks later, I went on yet another trip, to the Mediterranean. I had open, honest conversations with people about life, its hardships, unfortunate truths, and the meaning of, not life, but what we do with it. I woke up early many mornings to run around the cruise ship, watching the sunrise peak over the liquid horizon. I spent two days in Rome alone and found adventure in unexpected places, like bike tours past the aqueducts and catacombs. I met expats who weren't making good money, but they were having good times. They were living life to the fullest. 🧩

Life had led me to my puzzle pieces. One by one, I fitted them in and began to see a design that finally made sense to me, inspired me, and made me fall in love with life all over again.

I revisited my dream of living in another country, one I'd shied away from several times before because it was too risky. I considered what career would really give me whole fulfillment and satisfaction. What would feed my soul?

This new compass could've led me anywhere, but it led me here: to teaching English in Korea.

In the summer of 2019, I went into a messaging frenzy, contacting friends who had lived and taught abroad. Many of my friends (and former UCF Marching Knights) had taught in South Korea and raved about it. So, I spoke with them, met with them, and also sent messages to random strangers on LinkedIn who had designated in their profiles that they were also teaching in Korea.

Today, I thought I'd look back at the questions I was asking others who lived and taught here. This time, I'd like to give my own perspective! I hope it will be helpful to anyone who is considering taking a risk and a leap in life!

Questions About Life in Korea and Around Seoul

What is the social life like? (And if I don’t drink or party, will I still find a group where I fit in?)

Just like anywhere else you've settled, your social life is what you make of it, but rest assured that you'll find a group of friends that's good for you. There are definitely people who enjoy drinking and partying, and there are also clubs and other social groups available for every hobby, from hiking to biking to plogging to volunteering to board games to deep discussions about life -- you name it!

I would immediately recommend joining the various expat Facebook groups available and especially searching Facebook for a group relevant to the area you'll live in. (If you end up in Bundang-gu, look up the Bundang Social Club!) This is a great way to keep your pulse on what's happening in the community, get great information about the region and events, and start meeting people. Meetup is quite active in Korea, as well, so you have infinite chances to get out there and create your own social life!

Is it possible to exercise in Seoul?

Absolutely and without question. If you're a runner or a long-walks type of person, you'll be happy to know that there are pedestrian paths all around the city (and in any city, really)! Bikers will find dedicated bicycle paths all around, too. If you prefer gyms, there are several to choose from all around, though I'd recommend asking locals for recommendations for lower-cost gyms, if you prefer to pinch pennies, since gyms can be pretty expensive. Hiking trails are everywhere because mountains are also everywhere! And you'll find studios for yoga, pilates, kickboxing, jujitsu, taekwondo (of course!), trampolines, and more!

Are you able to save money?

Absolutely, but it really depends on you. How much will you earn? How will you budget? It is possible to pinch pennies, save reasonably, spend reasonably, or splurge. I have friends who paid off school loans by teaching in Korea. I have other friends who were aware of every paycheck because they really liked going out on weekends. It is entirely possible to save a nice amount of money and still splurge from time to time on food, drinks, trips, or entertainment. I know this is all very vague information, but it's all really up to you and your financial know-how.

Do I need to learn Korean before coming to Korea?

It is not necessary to completely learn the language before you come to Korea, but a little bit will go a long way. Knowing how to say a few basic words (hello, thank you, where is the toilet?) will make your life significantly easier and Koreans will appreciate your efforts and respectfulness.

You could easily learn Hangul, the Korean alphabet, within a couple days, and this will make your transition much easier. I found the Talk To Me in Korean website and podcast very helpful before I arrived.

Of course, it's easier to learn a language by being immersed in it, so you will have a better go at learning Korean by being surrounded by it. I would certainly recommend knowing a little bit beforehand, though, even if you just check out a couple travel blogs or YouTube vids.

Do I need to learn Korean at all?

Technically, theoretically, it is entirely possible to get by in Korea by only knowing English. But my question to you is: Why would you?

Hear me out: First, the Korean alphabet, "Hangul," is an incredibly easy language to learn, as all the sounds are phonetic (in general, they are pronounced exactly as they are spelled). Arguably, one could learn the alphabet within two or three days. There is a lot of "Konglish" in Korea, including on signs and in menus, so learning Hangul will give you a much improved quality of life.

You also need to ask yourself: What is your purpose for living in Korea? Do you want to have an adventure? Meet people and make friends? Experience a new culture? Try good food? Be a good teacher? Have a connection with your students and co-teachers? Something else? Language is the bottom line of life, isn't it? I'm not saying you need to become fluent, or even conversational, in Korean. That may not even be possible, if you're only planning to stay for a year or two. (Though, I'll caution you: Many people say that, and before they know it, five, six, ten years have passed by. But that's besides the point!)

What I am trying to say is that effort and respect will take you far, and I've seen Koreans over the moon just because I said "hello" and "thank you" in Korean, without knowing any other words. Your life, connections, and experiences will be so much better if you just learn and try a little bit.

Think about your own country. Could you get by without speaking English? Probably, right? But what kind of life would that be? And how would you feel about someone who didn't even try to speak in English with you. Would you want to be that person?

I don't mean to sound soap-boxy, and if you have this question, the last thing you want is someone to preach to you. I don't mean to come off that way. I just really want you to have an incredible experience during your time in Korea! And being able to communicate just a few simple words may mean the difference between opening and closing doors to amazing opportunities.

What do you wish you had known before you got to Korea?

Many of the things you see in old blogs and articles about moving to Korea are outdated now. For example, you can readily find deodorant and body towels here.

Online shopping is the way to go. As soon as you get your ARC and bank account, you should sign up for Coupang (Korea's Amazon), and if you like meal deliveries, you should also sign up for the food delivery apps (like Yogiyo, Coupang Eats, Shuttle, etc.).

Registering literally anything for the first time on a Korean app or website is going to take a loooong time and require a looootttt of patience. Don't be afraid to ask a friend for help or just plain emotional support. The first time is always the absolute worst, but after that, you'll never have to go through the turmoil again. It's always super easy smooth sailing and crazy convenient after that.

Your first time setting up your bank account will take upwards of two hours. I'm not exaggerating. Korean banks DO NOT automatically give you access to things like a debit card, credit card, mobile or online banking, transportation card usage via your debit card, or international money transfers. You MUST ask for these things. Figure out what you will need and write them down before visiting the bank so that you remember.

Air pollution does not mess around. Download an air quality check app (like IQAir Air Visual), buy KF94 masks (or bring your country's equivalent), and be prepared to wear them outside when the air is very polluted. Otherwise, you can harm your health or possibly stay up coughing all night with a sore throat because you've been breathing in dangerous particles (like I sometimes do T_T).

Korea has four seasons. Winter gets cold! If you are from a place that gets cold, you already know what to do. This Floridian had to learn about layering, which is just the best. For winter, it's best to have many layers.

When you arrive, search Facebook for the "free stuff" groups. There are a couple big ones in Seoul. There are some other buy & sell groups. Craigslist is great, as well. Additionally, if you see that someone left something (like furniture or a TV outside or in the trash area), it's free for the taking. I haven't paid for any of the furniture I own because of these methods. I've also gained several items, like clothes and hiking bags and sticks, and given away a lot!

What do you recommend seeing or doing in Seoul and around Korea?

There are so many memorable, unique things to do that I've got a separate blog post just to cover it! You can read here for personalized recommendations of what to do in Seoul and Korea.

Do you feel generally safe to live in Korea as a woman (and traveling solo)?

100%. I have taken walks and gone for runs alone after midnight without worries or feelings of danger. Korea is a very safe place to travel alone as a woman. I even did a solo cross-country bike trip without fear of other people. Now, of course, no place is 100% safe; however, the crime rate is incredibly low in Korea, and your guard does not need to be on constant vigilant guard 24/7 the way it would be in the West.

Teaching Questions

What's the difference between EPIK and a hagwon?

EPIK is the government-sponsored program in which teachers are placed into public schools around the country. It offers great benefits (like public school vacations) and daytime teaching hours, and it can place you in any part of Korea, including urban and rural locations. You may likely be the only native English teacher in your school.

A hagwon is a private academy, like a cram school, that students attend after their day at public school in order to study a skill. Therefore, you will most likely work late afternoons/evenings, and you will work "intensive periods", long hours during summer and winter vacation, which is the prime time money hour for hagwons. However, you can choose a living location more easily, if that's important to you. And you may not be the only native English teacher, either.

What was your relationship like with your co-teacher?

In my experience, I've had a lot of co-teachers. Working at a hagwon, they change every year. But I can say that my co-teachers were always very friendly. Your mileage may vary. My best advice is to have open communication and make an effort to be kind and helpful. If you have any issues with a student or class, your co-teacher should be there for you to help plan a solution, including discipline, speaking with parents, or anything else you may need. Mine always wanted to help. I only had one instance in which my co-teacher didn't have great classroom management. You will find that your co-teacher's classroom management style largely reflects in the class culture and dynamic. Always remember: You two are a team. Treat your co-teacher as you would like them to treat you.

Did you ever feel like you had to work longer than contracted (besides mandatory meetings)?

I never felt company pressure to work longer than my schedule dictated. At the beginning of my time here, I struggled with time management when it came to planning my lessons and prepping for my classes. Because of that, I stayed late or came in early a few days. After some time, I was able to manage time and projects much more easily, and I learned to communicate my needs better, even if I need more time to finish something.

How did you balance having different levels of knowledge in a classroom?

Many hagwons, like mine, organize students by grade level and English proficiency. You should be given the tools you'll need to teach them and a bit of training. The main challenge you'll find is varying interest levels, more than varying proficiency levels.

What was the most common misbehavior in your classroom (from students)? How did you deal with these situations?

This answer could be a whole blog post in itself. Behavior of students in Korea and very different from that of students in, say, the US. The most common misbehavior usually comes from distracted kids who would rather talk to or distract their own friends. There are many ways to deal with these situations, and a Google search on "classroom management tips and techniques" will help.

Keep your calm and be patient. Come from a compassionate place, as these are just kids. Even if you think they should know better, don't assume they do. Be direct with your instruction and expectations. Have fun. Make an effort to get to know them. Kids will respond to these things, and your class will be much smoother and more enjoyable as a result.

Did I miss anything? Feel free to ask me in anything in the comments or send me a message! Thank you for reading!