Where to begin...
Life in Korea can start out as a bit of a culture shock, especially if you haven't traveled to an Asian country before, or if you have only taken short holidays. There are some things it takes time to get used to, and some things that may gradually start to drive you nuts over time (e.g. not having a real shower), but there are also so many fantastic things about living here that it may be hard to get used to living without when / if you leave.
Below are a few of the great, and not so great, things about living in Korea. Some of these are aimed specifically at English teachers (which is where I started out) some are a bit more general. I am still working on adding to these and writing about each of the headings. If you have any questions or think I have missed anything please feel free to let me know!
Great Things!
- Food
- K-pop!
- Pet Ownership in Korea
- Friendly People
- Cost of living v. Salary for teachers
- Banking for teachers
- Mobile Phones & Internet
- Public Transport
- Opening Hours
- Safety / Crime Levels
- Shopping (Food, alcohol & everything else...)
- Hospitals and healthy living
- Tourist attractions (they are everywhere and they are cheap!)
Not So Great Things...
- Some things are just really difficult to do when you don't speak Korean and they don't speak English
- Deskwarming for teachers
- What's in the contract V what's in reality for teachers
- Last minute notice
- It can sometimes be difficult to get Western food (if you eat Korean food this is not a big deal)
- Personal Space (it doesn't exist)
- My student's are tired! for teachers
Things That Could Go Either Way...
- Korean Apartments (Provided for Teachers)
- Korean Apartments (Army Price Range)
- Location in Korea
- Hagwon's V public schools for teachers
- What your blood type says about you...
- Girl's Necessities
Specifically Army Stuff...
- Getting a car
- Different bases & locations
- Getting Married... (a lot more complicated than you might think)
- Finding an apartment off-post
There are also a number of things to be aware of when / if you come to Korea. It is a country with a rich history and cultural traditions that stem from that history.
Acknowledgments:
I would just like to say a brief thank you to all my friends in Korea who's input and feedback I bullied them for during the creation of this page - you guys are awesome!
