-Where were you born? 

Mumbai, India

-In which country and city are you living now?

Seoul, South Korea

-Are you living alone or with your family?

With my roommates, one American English teacher and the other one a Korean student.

-How long have you been living in South Korea?

Almost a year now.

-What is your age?

As per Korean age I am 32.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in South Korea?

I just wanted to be out of India and was looking for an international exposure in my career. That is when I came across a job offer through my friend who was working here and I grabbed it with both hands. 

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

I don't think so. But it took almost 2 months for me to get the visa.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

The government takes care of it and it is deducted from the salary every month. 

-How do you make your living in South Korea? Do you have any type of income generated?

I work for a Korean software company here and make mobile applications for smart phones. 

-Do you speak the local language and do you think it's important to speak the local language? Please add your thoughts on local customs and whether it's important for expats to respect/observe local customs.

It is very important to know the local language. People speak very little English here and to find a person who speaks English is like finding god. I would say at least make an attempt to learn how to read the language. If you know how to read it would be extremely helpful to you. Reading would help you in understanding the subway stations better, read hotel menus, find a location on the map and even do online shopping on Korean websites like gmarket. Korean culture is kind of similar to Indian culture so it was not that difficult for me to accept the culture. 

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

Yes, I do miss family and home. Especially during Indian festivals. But after coming here I have made a lot of Indian friends who treat me like family. So thanks to my friends I really don't miss home so much. Also there are lots and lots of Indians in Korea and there are many an active community where Indian festivals are celebrated from time to time. 

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I am leaving in December and planning to pursue my MBA full time back home in India. But would love to visit Korea again.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

In my case the housing was not provided by my office so I had to look for a room to rent. I am sharing my house with 2 other roommates so my monthly rent (my share) comes to around $400 (400,000 won). And I have to pay for utilities separately. I guess the place I am staying - Haebangchon - is cheap as compared to other areas in Seoul in terms of rent. Also, a lot of foreigners stay in my area so life is a bit easier here as lot of people speak English in the neighborhood. 

-What is the cost of living in South Korea?

To see a comprehensive breakdown of the cost of living you can visit my website here - http://www.thekoreaguide.com/2010/02/25/cost-of-living-in-seoul-korea/

-What do you think about the locals? 

They treat foreigners very well, and they are very welcoming in nature. 

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in South Korea?

Korea, especially Seoul is very cosmopolitan and one can meet people here from all over the world. People are very nice and friendly. 

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in South Korea?

Learn the language it will make your life much easier. 

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about South Korea?

After coming to Korea the best thing I have done is that I started maintaining a blog to share my experience as an Indian in Korea. This has helped a lot of Indians visiting Korea to plan their visit and clear their misconceptions about Korea in general. You can visit my website here - http://www.thekoreaguide.com/ 

-Where were you born?

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?

Seoul, South Korea

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I am living alone.

-How long have you been living in Korea?

So far, I've been in Seoul for two and a half years.

-What is your age?

I'm 36.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Korea?

My relationship had just ended. I needed a big change in a big way. I'd always wanted to teach overseas so I jumped at the change and took off.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

No, not all all.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Actually, I didn't do this. I got my medical insurance when I arrived.

-How do you make your living in Korea? Do you have any type of income generated?

I make my living as an ESL instructor in the public school system. I highly recommend going with public schools over the private hogwan system. There are a ton of places to research jobs. Just look at my site.

-Do you speak Korean and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

You can survive in Korea without learning the language, but I'm tired of simply surviving. It's time to learn the  language. I wish I had started when I first arrived.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I do miss family. Practically everything you could want can be found in Seoul. I like to sight see, write, go to coffee houses, eat Korean food, etc. There is something here for everyone.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I am thinking of returning to school. I am also always looking forward to more travel.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

I am living in an apt provided by my employer.

-What is the cost of living in Korea?

You could very easily make it on 1,000,000W a month in Seoul. That's including eating out, paying bills, and other entertainment. If you're more frugal you can save much more.

-What do you think about the locals? 

So far I've had great expriences with the people here. I've only had one two mishaps.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Korea

You can experience a new land and culture firsthand. Though if you don't know the language it can make things a bit isolating.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Korea?

Learn the language. At least learn to read the alphabet, it will make your life easier. Realize that it isn't the West and that Koreans do things different sometimes. Go with the flow, unless its something totally egregious.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about South Korea?

Http://kissmykimchi.com

-Where were you born?

Near Chicago, IL USA

-In which country and city are you living now?

Busan, South Korea. 

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I am living independently.

-How long have you been living in Korea?

I have been in Korea since February 2009

-What is your age?

26

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Korea?

Back in July 2008, I had just gotten laid off (in some ways, thankful) from a company that I felt was holding me back.  The previous summer, I had graduated and came up empty-handed as far as jobs that I wanted.  The job search following my layoff became even far more daunting because it came just as the economy was showing the early signs of collapsing. 

After getting sick and tired of bumming around my parents' home searching endlessly for a job, I noticed that some of my friends had either worked or would be soon working overseas.  The lightbulb finally lit up: "Teaching Abroad." Earlier in my undergrad, I studied in secondary education, but later became disenchanted with the program at my school, and focused on writing instead.  So, the idea of teaching, let alone living abroad was something that took a lot of apprehension on my part.  However, by getting turned down each time for a job, and the hopes of landing a job became dimmer and dimmer, I decided to take that risk.  I first looked at Vietnam, a place where my family is from, but the cost and application process was a bit too much for me.

So I enrolled in the TEFL Institute later in the Fall for my TEFL certification.  There, I received helpful guidance from my instructor and TEFL advisor.  They brought up South Korea as a popular choice.  The combination of westernized and Confucian culture, their growing advances in technology and committment to education, the accommodations and financial flexibility I will gain, plus traveling into a country that is often far too overlooked between its neighbors, China and Japan, convinced me that Korea would be the place to spend my current life in. 

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

No, not at all.  After accepting the EPIK (English Program in Korea) job offer, I was given directions from my recruiter.  I went over to the Korean Consulate in Chicago and they processed the paperwork within a week.  The visa process was fairly inexpensive and easy. 

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

I think it may be wise to have some kind of traveler's insurance for the first month that you're in Korea, though I didn't do that.  It would be recommended if you have pre-conditions that could pose as a problem.  The health insurance is very accessible, and more importantly, affordable, especially if you're from the U.S.  The over-the-counter medicine is also extremely cheap, and the hospitals provide excellent service. 

-How do you make your living in Korea? Do you have any type of income generated? 

I am currently a Guest English Teacher at an all-boys middle school in Deokcheon Middle School through the EPIK progam (www.epik.go.kr).  My school is located in Busan, more specifically in the Buk-gu district.  I am paid reasonably well as I have been able to save up a good amount of money since being there.  As EPIK English teachers, we are also provided with compensation for our incoming and outgoing flights to Korea, free housing with only utilities to pay ($50), vacation pay, and health insurance.  Compared to other countries, including those in Asia, Korea does offer the best incentives in terms of financial flexibility. 

-Do you speak Korean and do you think it's important to speak the local language? Please add your thoughts on local customs and whether it's important for expats to respect/observe local customs.

To start things off, I am half-Vietnamese and half-Cambodian.  As far as speaking Korean goes, it's fairly minimal.  I do know how to read the hanguel (Korean alphabet).  It's surprisingly easy as each letter has one sound unlike the English alphabet where there is often multiple sounds.  I am currently taking a Korean language class.  I haven't gotten to the point where I can have back and forth dialogue, but that is something that I would like to achieve eventually. 

I do believe it is ALWAYS important to try to learn the local language, and on top of it, respecting and observing local customs is an important step for any expatriate living in Asia.  Koreans, and other Asians can be quite friendly, polite, and accommodating, but they also have a sense of justified skepticism when it comes to foreigners.  They have seen behaviors that they view as inappropriate, but also considered inappropriate in the US, and in western culture in general, so their skepticism is, again, justified. 

To encourage good behavior from future and current expats, one must observe quietly on how locals go about their day, the way they communicate with one another.  It never hurts to ask questions to Koreans.  This shows your willingness to learn their culture, and perhaps, change some of the negative pre-conceived notions they may have about foreigners.  Show your warmth, kindness, smile, and try to speak their language as best as you can.  Remember you're in their country, so don't shove the English language down on their throat.  If they want to speak English to you, then by all means, go for it.  Never be too direct and confrontational.  This can really alienate you from a lot of opportunities and personal leverage with your employer, friends, or people you need to count on to get things done for you. 

As an Asian-American, and non-Korean, there are advantages and disadvantages of being in Korea.  The advantages that I've had was being able to fly under the radar.  Unlike some of my friends who are non-Asian, I don't have the pleasure of getting stared at by locals, and having the luxury of roaming around Korea without any fanfare. 

One of the disadvantages that I have had is that many Koreans think that I'm Korean so this can cause some confusion whenever I'm at a store, restaurant, or in certain public places as they are genuinely shocked.  It can be quite amusing, but sometimes frustrating on my end.  Plus, I don't have the ability to conjure up random conversations with strangers like I used to at home.  I find myself more intimidated and awkward at trying to initiate conversation with Koreans so this might have costed me my opportunities of making more Korean friends versus some of my fellow non-Asian friends. 

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? Describe your favorite recreational activities there or those that are available.

I don't miss family as much as many of my friends do.  Don't get me wrong, I do miss my mom's home-cooking, and the comforts of my own neighborhood, but I enjoy having an independent life for the first time.  I enjoy having the ability to come home peacefully, and travel around Asia.  Back at home, I do miss being in Chicago.  The food, diversity, my favorite sports teams (Go Sox and Bears!!!), and many things associated with the Windy City are things that cannot be replaced. 

However, to cope with that stress, is traveling, taking on new challenges.  I currently play basketball, sometimes with my students.  I have been taking an interest in Buddhism, my family's background, so I've been visiting various temples.  I have been hanging out with my new friends, and continued documenting on my current journey.  It's been a blessing so far.  I hope to take up dancing, and working out at the gym, and do some further traveling before it's said and done. 

-Do you have other plans for the future? 

I hope to travel to Thailand and Cambodia this winter, and Japan very soon.  I hope to make another follow-up trip to Vietnam next year.  I also hope to stay another year in Korea.  Beyond that, I don't know if I'll continue working abroad, but I hope to be more involved in non-profit, specifically with museums or student programs, or working with ESL students or immigrant refugees. 

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it? 

I am living in an apartment free of rent.  It is a tiny studio.  It is brand-new, and I live with other fellow expatriates in the building.  My apartment is nice and cozy, despite its miniature size. However, many of my friends have bigger apartments there.  I only pay for the utilities.  I believe that if your school has trouble finding an apartment or if you choose to find an apt. independently, you will receive $400,000 (in Korean dollars) a month as compensation which is pretty reasonable from what I've heard. 

-What is the cost of living in Korea?

The cost of living is fairly reasonable.  With the exception of electronic goods, food and other living necessities are fairly simple and affordable.  I find it to be cheaper here than in the U.S.

-What do you think about the Koreans? 

I've pretty much answered this question earlier, but to reinforce what I've said, I've enjoyed being around many Koreans.  The locals here have treated me very well.  The teachers, staff, and students have treated me wonderfully since I've been here.  I find them to be more honest than any of the people I've encountered prior to my arrival here.  Case in point,  I have lost or left many things, only to realize that I have retrieved all of them because they were so honest and made the effort to contact me. 

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Korea?

To sum it up:

Positives: Affordability, technology (PC Rooms, a country heavily wired on Internet technology), the locals, the combination of the urban and countryside, closeness proximity to other Asian countries, transportation, a well-developed country that is democratic, and many others.  Also, many signs are also in English so this makes things much easier to those who have not mastered the hanguel. 

Negatives:  This I have already mentioned earlier.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Korea?

Never start comparing the country that you're living abroad in, to the country that you lived in prior.  Don't get too attached to your friends and family back home.  Join clubs, make new friends (avoid being around too many of your foreigner friends, but learn to explore and make mistakes on your own).  Avoid being around the negative foreigners (be a supportive friend, but realize that this is THEIR experience, not yours).  Always respect and make the effort to practice the local customs and language.  Be open-minded, flexible, and know that things are not always going to work accordingly to your routine. 

Also, avoid working at the hagwons (private institutes), at least weed out the bad ones.  They are oftentimes littered with shady directors.  If pursuing one, you must do diligent research on that school before accepting their job offer. 

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Korea?

www.justlanded.com, www.transitionsabroad.com, www.eslcafe.com.  To seek a job in Korea, I would look at www.eslcafe.com for job postings. 

I have my own blog which you can read at:  www.randall-kimball.blogspot.com. Keep checking back in for more updates.  Thanks!

-Where were you born?

The U.K.

-In which country and city are you living now?

A village in Gwangyu City, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

-Are you living alone or with your family?

Alone

-How long have you been living in South Korea?

In the village for 6 months. I lived in Seoul for 1 year before that.

-What is your age?

 Mature!

-When did you come up with the idea of living in South Korea?

I lived in Tokyo for 7 years and felt I needed to move on or stay there forever! I had been to Korea twice on vacation so it seemed a natural baby step away from Japan!

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

No. If you have the correct qualifications it is a breeze. However, the additional requirements (police checks, etc.) that came into force during my first year made signing up again a little more annoying.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Medical insurance is provided through the government and is effective from your first day of work. (Until you receive the actual card you have to pay and then get it back). The tiny co-payment kicks in after about 3 weeks, the average time to become fully registered here.

-How do you make your living in South Korea? Do you have any type of income generated?

I teach English at a rural middle school. (Last year I was a kindy homeroom teacher in Seoul). There are plenty of jobs available, easily found on the Internet. The trick is to keep an accurate record of those you apply for and to be fussy.

-Do you speak Korean and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

My Korean is nearly non-existent. I can do the very basic greetings/thanks things and am picking up random words and phrases. Partly this is because I still tend to think in Japanese, and also because I am so busy finishing my M.A. thesis I have little time to spare. I find Korean much harder to actually use than Japanese. (So even if I learn words I have less confidence to use them).

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? Describe your favorite recreational activities there or those that are available.

Of course I miss family and friends, both from the U.K. and from Japan. I am very lucky to have a wide circle of friends here, who I treasure.

I live in a very scenic area and enjoy looking around. Otherwise I spend time meeting friends and eating/drinking/watching movies, etc. Most of my spare time mid week is spent on studying.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I am leaving in September and planning to travel from the U.K. to India without using airplanes. Should be interesting!

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

I live in a 'one room' provided and paid for by school. It is very big by Korean standards and has a wonderful bathroom with a window AND a radiator! (Luxuries here). Everything else is in 1 room. It is comfortable but my goal is to stop sleeping with my fridge! Apartments are fairly cheap here as it is the countryside.

-What is the cost of living in South Korea?

Reasonable for most things, though the credit crunch is raising everyday living costs. It is also a little more expensive to shop rurally as there is no competition. If I go into the nearest town I can buy cheaper fruit and food, which works so long as I don't taxi back and negate the savings! Taxis are very cheap here though compared to any other country I have lived or travelled in.

-What do you think about the Koreans? 

People here are friendly enough and stare less than when I was in Seoul. I think most of them got used to me being around. (Until last week I was the only foreigner). Most people are kind and do theri best to help you out in shops and such. I tend to return to those places where I am made welcome of course.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in South Korea?

Pollution is less of an issue in the rural areas, it was pretty chronic in Seoul. It also takes awhile to get used to the pushing and shoving. There are not enough people in the village for that to be a problem on the streets but people rarely queue for the bus or wait patiently in line. This is not a country for shrinking violets.

I like the opportunity to try new things and the meat feasts are wonderful.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in South Korea?

Be prepared to arrive with an open mind and establish a friendship circle as soon as you can. Foreigners are friendly and there are lots of groups around on Facebook. I think it is really important to have people around you you can share experiences with. There will be many things that happen here that puzzle most Westerners...Korea aint changing in your time here so try to see the funny side!

-Where were you born?

I was born in Saint Paul, MN, USA. I've lived in Minnesota my whole life.

-In which country and city are you living now?

I am living in Incheon, South Korea.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I am living alone.

-How long have you been living in Korea?

I have been in Incheon for four months.

-What is your age?

I am 25 years old.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Korea?

I got a teaching job in Minnesota right out of college when I was 22. I loved teaching at the high school I was at, but didn't want to stay in the district. I decided that last year would be my last year in the school district. Once I determined that, I realized that this may be my last opportunity to live somewhere else before I settled down in a Minnesota school district for a long time. A lot of my friends traveled abroad right after college, and I regretted not doing something similar at that time.

As I was researching living and working in another country, I originally thought I would move to London. I studied abroad there in college and am a bit of an anglophile because of it. However, I knew it would be difficult to find a job, and even more difficult to find affordable housing and a job that would pay me enough to pay off some bills I had at home. I started looking a bit more at teaching jobs that would pay well and were located in a country I would like to visit. South Korea came up over and over in my research. There is a huge demand for native English speaking teachers in South Korea. The schools will pay for the flight, housing, a settlement fee, and similar wages to what I was making in Minnesota. I've also always wanted to travel in Asia and hadn't yet had the opportunity to do so, so I decided South Korea was the place for me.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

It was not difficult. I had to send my passport and some paperwork to the nearest Korean embassy (in Chicago) and it was done within a week or two.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

I bought traveler's insurance for the first month I was here because my Korean insurance did not kick in until after my first month of working. It was not difficult to get traveler's insurance and as far as I know, I have decent insurance here in Korea. I have not had to use my insurance, but I'm told doctor's visits and medications are very inexpensive with insurance.

-How do you make your living in South Korea? Do you have any type of income generated?

I teach English at a boys' high school. I make about the same wage as an average Korean. It is fairly easy to find a teaching job in South Korea. They are in desperate want of native English speakers to teach English. Generally the minimum requirements are that you have a four-year degree from a college or university, and are a native English speaker. Because I am a licensed English teacher with experience I make more money than a native English speaker without experience or a degree in English or education.

I found a job within my first month of looking for one. I turned down a few positions before accepting my current position. A lot of private schools in South Korea will try to scam native English teachers so it is important to do research before choosing a school or recruiting agency.

I did a bit of research on Dave's ESL Café. There are job postings and forums on the website that are helpful. I ended up going through Canadian Connection, a recruitment agency in Canada. I had heard about them through a friend of a friend and I would definitely recommend them to others.

-Do you speak Korean and do you think it's important to speak the local language? Please add your thoughts on local customs and whether it's important for expats to respect/observe local customs.

I do not speak Korean at all. My abilities extend as far as "hello" and "thank you". Normally I think it's a very good idea to try to learn the local language. Many of my friends have made an attempt to learn Hangul (the Korean alphabet) or a few phrases, and it is a lot easier going out with them because they can usually order in restaurants, etc. Also, I know my co-workers and my students would really appreciate it if I knew a bit of the language. For me, I feel like I haven't had enough time to devote to studying Korean. I love learning new languages and there are a few that I would like to learn in the next few years, but because I'm only planning on staying here for a year and because I probably won't ever need to know Korean again, I have not put in the effort to learn the language. As one of my friends who worked abroad a year ago told me before I left, the language is probably the best "souvenir" you can take away from a country. At times I feel incredibly guilty about not learning the language. I rely either on gestures or Koreans' limited English skills to get my meaning across. I shouldn't rely on Koreans to always speak my language, but sadly it just happens.

Even though I have not learned the language, I do think it's important for expats to respect local customs. I try to as much as possible, but I know I still make mistakes. Respect is very important in Korea. Usually that respect is shown through bowing or giving and taking things. I try to bow as much as possible, but probably don't bow as low as I should or as often as I should. Also, when receiving a gift, one should take it with both hands. Sometimes I forget this during the awkwardness of receiving a gift from a Korean (they love to give small gifts all the time). But I think most of the Koreans I know realize that I'm trying to learn and respect their customs and appreciate that. So as much as possible, I think it's important to learn about and respect a country's culture.

However, there are some things I will not adapt to. For example, I am a vegetarian and have been for over five years. When I first ate lunch at my school, many of my co-workers gave me a hard time because they felt I was not eating enough. One of my co-workers told me "when in Korea, do as the Koreans do". I told him I could adapt to most things but this was a moral issue for me. It took months of explaining, re-explaining, and translating for them to finally stop pestering me about eating meat. So as long as you're not compromising your values, I think it's important to respect local customs.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

Oh I definitely miss home and family and friends. I have not had acute bouts of homesickness yet, but there are just small waves that usually pass. Staying busy, making friends, and traveling are the best ways to overcome homesickness.

I was lucky because when I came to Incheon, I had orientation for new teachers working in the Incheon public schools. There were over one hundred of us and we stayed in a hotel for four days. I met a lot of people through orientation who have become my really close friends. I rely on them like I rely on my family at home. I am fortunate to have met so many people at once. Since orientation I have met even more people at expat hangouts in both Incheon and Seoul. I think it's important to become friends with "locals" (in my case, Koreans), but I also think it's important to have some close friends who are expats. For example, during Christmastime it was nice to talk about Christmas traditions and have others realize that everyone is a little homesick at this time. Most Koreans do not celebrate Christmas to the extent that we do in America, so they couldn't sympathize with me during Christmas.

I did taekwondo for two months while I was here. I met a lot of people through the class and it also helped me learn a bit more about Korean culture. There have also been plenty of opportunities for me to get involved in other activities and groups through, maybe it's pathetic to say it, Facebook. I joined some Facebook groups and have invitations to activities all the time. I have also spent a lot of my time traveling around Korea which is a great way to break up some of the monotony of the weekends, meet people, and see a bit of the beautiful areas of Korea that I might otherwise miss because I live in Incheon.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I plan on staying in Korea for only one year. My contract will be up in August/September 2009. After that I am not exactly sure what I will do. I may travel some more around Asia or Australia. I may try to find a teaching job in Minnesota, I may go to grad school, or I may just sub for the year and save up for grad school and more traveling plans.

My immediate travel plans include Thailand. I will be traveling there in three weeks. I would also like to go to China and Japan within the year. My sister is studying abroad in Spain in a year so I hope to visit her there. While there I would like to tour more around Europe.

So really everything is up in the air for me at the moment. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I do appreciate that I have so many options.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

Housing is provided for me by my school. I live in a fairly large (by Korean standards) studio apartment. It was furnished by my school. I have absolutely no idea how much housing costs in Korea because I have been spoiled by my school.

-What is the cost of living in South Korea?

The cost of living is lower than in the United States, but I do not know exact figures. There are some things that are much less expensive here, like groceries, Korean food, etc., but the cost of living is not that much lower than the U.S. As a native English teacher, I make the same as the average Korean, but I do not have to pay rent, support a family, etc., so my wage is quite good by Korean standards.

-What do you think about the Koreans?

Koreans are generally incredibly hospitable and will usually go out of their way to help foreigners. Overall they are very nice people who mean well. Sometimes (where I live) they can be very hesitant to speak English because it is very important for Koreans to "save face" and to not make mistakes. Because of this, Koreans often appear shy when they may not be.

Now, in this paragraph I am completely generalizing and I am not speaking about all Koreans, because as a general rule I really like Koreans, but I will be honest in how they sometimes treat foreigners. Obviously I am a minority in this country, and I feel like I am a minority most of the time. Young children will stare at me. School-age children will yell "hello" to me. Older people will sometimes point at me and often stare at me. As often as Koreans are nice to me, there are just as many who look at me with pure contempt. I'm not entirely sure why this is, whether it's that they don't like that I'm teaching English in their country (Koreans are very patriotic) or because they think I'm Russian (aka a prostitute—there are many Russian women here who work as prostitutes so sometimes my female friends and I will be asked if we are Russian). Sometimes Koreans try to be overly helpful as well. There have been many times when Korean women in restaurants have tried to mix my food for me or show me how to eat something when I've eaten it dozens of times and have lived here for months.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Korea?

The people are generally incredibly kind and hospitable. It is a very safe country. I do not worry about walking alone at night. It is also a very beautiful country; one that I think is underappreciated by many of the western countries. There are impressive mountains and lovely beaches. Transportation is easy to use and it's easy for me to get around in Incheon and Seoul.

I listed the negative aspects above in the treatment of foreigners. I don't like feeling like I'm on display all the time. Some of the Koreans' behavior towards foreigners would be considered downright racist in the U.S.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in South Korea?

If you are planning to teach in Korea, do your research about the school or company you will be teaching with. Go through a reputable recruiter. Get out and see as much of Korea as you can. There are some truly beautiful and unique areas. Become friends with Koreans but also maintain a connection with the expat community. Also, learn to be very easy-going. Koreans do most things at the last minute and planning is not their strong suit. Expect to be told things at the last minute or not at all.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about South Korea?

I must promote my own blog, Anna's Out of Country Experience: http://imsoboredwiththeusa.blogspot.com.

-Where were you born?

Hammond, IN, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?

Seoul, South Korea

-Are you living alone or with your family?

By myself

-How long have you been living in South Korea?

About 7 months

-What is your age?

26 years old

-When did you come up with the idea of living in South Korea?

About 3-4 months before I came to Korea, I had had the idea that I wanted to get out of the USA. I didn't know how, or what I would do. One day I was online, and found a job advertising for an English teacher in South Korea. After reviewing the qualifications (bachelor's degree, experience teaching, native English speaker, willingness to relocate, etc.) I sent off my resumé and picture.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

Getting the E-2 visa is a little harder than it was in the past. Essentially, the Korean government wants to know you don't have a criminal record in the country you come from. Fair enough, right? If you live in the USA, you have to obtain said background check, get it notarized, and get an apostille from your state government. It's not incredibly difficult - it can probably be done through the mail - but it does take some time to get right.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived? 

Most teacher's contracts will specifically say medical insurance is covered - you'll pay 50% of the premium, and your employer will pay the other 50%. In reality, you do have to ensure your employer lives up to its contractual obligations.

-How do you make your living in South Korea? Do you have any type of income generated?

I teach English at a private kindergarten / elementary school, like most foreigners do when they first arrive in Korea. It's a decent enough job, and it's relatively easy to find and apply for.

-Do you speak Korean  and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

Korean is a very difficult language to learn - mainly because it's not really needed to get around, and also because the literal translations can be confusing or difficult to understand. Your best bet is to learn hangeul (the Korean alphabet) and be able to read that, as well as the survival-type phrases that can get you around. You'll pick parts of the language up the longer you're in Korea, but learning the langugage itself is a full-time endeavour.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? Describe your favorite recreational activities there or those that are available.

Yes, and yes. At the same time, I know what I have to gain from my experience in Korea. Recreation? Wow - rollerblading, dancing, singing, performing in a theatre troupe, traveling the country, going to bars / clubs, etc.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I plan to see the world - and with legitimate teaching experience it's supposedly easier almost anywhere you go. With a teaching certificate or a Masters it's supposedly even easier to find a job almost anywhere in the world.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

Most employers of teachers will give you a free furnished apartment as part of your compensation for being a teacher at their school. I can't say how much it would cost to rent an apartment, although craigslist is certainly a decent enough place to start looking.

-What is the cost of living in Korea?

As far as cost of groceries, it's reasonably close to living in America. Electricity / gas / internet / cell phone? Cheaper than America. Those costs are taken out of my paycheck, so I don't even think about them.

-What do you think about the Koreans?

Koreans tend to be a little suspicious of foreigners, although most will leave you alone. You will get stared at - something that's common enough that you'll get used to it. You basically have three options - ignore it, enjoy it (strut, if you like), or stare right back - unwise since they have decades more experience than you.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Korea?

Positive: a beautiful country with a great public transportation system.

Negative: the people can be xenophobic (fearful of outsiders) at times, and few people speak more than a few words of English.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Korea?

LEARN HANGEUL (the Korean alphabet). It can be learned in a few hours of studying, and with some practice will quickly become second-nature. Also, whenever buying something and no price is listed, NEGOTIATE! You may not have to, but it never hurts.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Korea?

I keep a blog about what it's like to live, travel, and work here in South Korea. Check it out at http://chrisinsouthkorea.blogspot.com

-Where were you born?

I was born in Florida, but moved with my parents to Tennessee when I was only 6 months old, so I claim Tennessee as my home. I grew up in a log cabin my father built in a small town called Smyrna, just outside of Nashville. I love sweet tea, but I don't have too much of a Southern accent.

-In which country and city are you living now?

I am currently living in Seoul, South Korea.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I live by myself, but my fiance is Korean and he lives here with his family, so it's kind of like having family here. And of course, I have a core group of friends, mostly people from the English worship service I attend on Sundays and my fiance's friends who are so good to take me in!

-How long have you been living in Korea?

I've been in Korea since March of this year, so a little over 7 months

-What is your age?

25

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Korea?

Well, I first considered living in Korea while living in the UK. I was staying in Exeter, getting my Master's degree in English Literature with a concentration in Creative Writing, and met my fiance there. We were in the same program. After a year together, we decided we hadn't had enough and it would be much easier for me to move to Korea than for him to find work in the U.S. The decision wasn't so hard actually. I wanted to be with the man I loved and I was somewhat qualified to teach English. I had a loan to pay off from my studies abroad and could make good money working in Korea. And I decided that I'd give the boyfriend a year to ask me to marry him. Seemed reasonable. (And it worked, by the way!)

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

I wouldn't say it was difficult, but it was rather tedious. The paperwork required is sometimes redundant and it's hard to get all the information you need up front from the numerous government offices you need to visit. So I had to go some places twice because they didn't inform me of everything I needed to have. Just the normal bureaucracy taking its toll. I did have to go for an interview at the Korean Consulate in Atlanta, which is luckily only about 4 hours from my house. The interview was a breeze. The consular asked me why I wanted to go to Korea. I told him I'd like to teach English and that my boyfriend lived there. He said, "Your boyfriend? Is he Korean?" I told him he was and he replied, "Well, it seems like you have a great reason to go to Korea." And that was that.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Um, medical insurance is provided through my employer, so it wasn't difficult to secure because it's in my contract. When I arrived in Korea I went for a health check, which was fairly routine, and then once I had my residence card, I had insurance. And it's a good thing, too, because in July I got appendicitis of all things and had to have my appendix out. Having surgery in a foreign country is... well, it's an experience all its own.

-How do you make your living in Korea? Do you have any type of income generated?

I teach English at a Korean kindergarten. I teach 5 and 6 year olds. My job is pretty sweet because I teach younger kids, so my hours are reasonable. I work from 9:20 to 4:00 every day, never weekends or overtime. I get an hour for lunch and go out for coffee with my colleagues. My kids are a bit wild and it's stressful sometimes, but hey, it's a job.

I found my job on Dave's ESL Cafe, an immensely helpful site that has job listings for almost anywhere in the world. I suggest anyone looking to teach in a foreign country go there first. My school placed an ad there and I answered the ad by sending an email to the principal. We spoke on the phone a few times, emailed a lot, and it definitely helped to have my boyfriend on the phone and visiting the school to make sure everything was legit in Korea.

-Do you speak Korean and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I speak enough Korean to get by but am definitely studying in hopes to be fluent someday. I am marrying into a Korean family and so I think it's respectful to attempt to communicate with them in their language.

I think it's extremely important for expats to BE AWARE of local customs, even if it's impossible to entirely respect them. Armed with the knowledge of the culture that you're interacting within will save you embarrassment, money, and possibly the reputation of your homeland. Although I sometimes become frustrated with the culture and traditions here in Korea, I try to temper that frustration with a genuine attempt at understanding why things are the way they are. I think when you learn to love the people, you have more compassion and more tolerance for things that are unfamiliar to you.

I think the most important thing I've learned here is that just because that's not the way I do it, doesn't make it the wrong way to do something. It might be harder, or less logical, or less appealing, but that doesn't mean it's not a legitimate way of getting something done. I also find that the more I learn about Korean history, the easier it is for me to deal with cultural misunderstandings and to find the reason or cause for things.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I definitely miss my family and I miss talking. One of the things I miss the most is talking about books. Now, you can buy any amount of English books in Korea, as the language is vying for religious standing at the moment. In fact, I purchased 5 today. But what I miss most is being surrounded by my friends who read, my friends who write, and my friends who are interested in authenticity. Sometimes I miss the downright frankness and forthrightness of my community at home. Korean society is markedly different and sometimes it's frustrating when I run into formality at every turn, or niceness without kindness. So I definitely miss that.

I also miss being comfortable. I find that most people, more than being wealthy or being successful or being happy, will almost always settle for being comfortable. Most of my day is spent listening to a language I only understand bits and pieces of. Everyday things that used to be simple for me, like buying exactly what I want at the store, become a bit more of a task. Even doing the laundry is daunting because I can't read the controls on the machine! So, I miss being able to function freely and feel competent. But at the same time, I appreciate this new unfamiliar territory, mostly because it keeps me humble and when you are humble, you are willing to learn.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

The truth? Everything in Seoul is expensive. The further from the city you go, the less you pay for housing. I pay a small amount of my housing fee because I refused to live in the apartment the school picked for me. (Or I should say, my fiance refused on my behalf. He found me something much closer to him and close to the subway station, bless his heart!) So because I picked something above their housing allowance, I pay a small portion of my rent each month out of my salary. But my colleague, who is currently living in an apartment the school picked for her, pays nothing.

My one-room officetel is 650,00won a month. There was also key money, but my school worked that out, so I have no idea how much it was. Usually, your school will either pay your rent directly, or they will give you a housing allowance. My apartment is one room with a kitchenette, full size fridge, a stove top, a washing machine, paltry but make-it-work closet space and a spacious bathroom. I miss having an OVEN! I recently bought a toaster oven and it has changed my life! I also invested in a food dehydrator or dryer for my food waste because in Korea, the trash must all be separated into certain color-coded bags in order for it to be picked up by the city. Food dryer: expensive but makes cooking immensely less disgusting and keeps you from having small bags of rotting food smelling up your apartment as you wait to fill them up with more food scraps to take them out!

-What is the cost of living in Korea?

I am living very comfortably on around 500,000 won a month (you can do the math and convert that to your own currency) and saving the rest of my paycheck. Of course, I don't wear makeup, buy hair styling products, buy clothes, or worry about going to fancy restaurants. I do spend money on commuting, good coffee, books, and food. So really, you can decide how you want to live in Seoul - you can save or you can spend it all.

-What do you think about the Koreans?

I obviously appreciate Korean culture, and most of that comes from being in love with a Korean. But the way you are treated varies and often depends upon where you are staying in Korea. In Seoul, foreigners are becoming more common, but you will still be stared at because staring is not necessarily a social faux pas here. You will find that the most marked reactions to your presence will come from the older generation. The middle-aged and older women will sometimes be so insistent that you have a seat on the train that you feel uncomfortable, or sometimes they will scowl at you and mutter under their breath at the "wegukin" or foreigner.

The further out of Seoul you go, the more your celebrity status will rise. In some small towns, the English teacher will be the only foreigner and so they tend to be popular and revered and taken care of by the community. In Seoul, you'll be surprised at how many other expats you'll meet, and in Itaewon, (the guidebook calls this English town the armpit of Seoul), I am uncomfortable due to the amount of conversations I can understand, and it seems to spin my head a bit because I know I'm in Korea, but I feel like I'm in a dingy backstreet of downtown Nashville, with bars, nightclubs, and annoying vendors on the street. You'll get all sorts of reactions out of Koreans, but most of mine have definitely been positive.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Korea?

Positives include gaining an understanding of community; cheap, reliable AND CLEAN public transport; the home delivery of anything you can think to order; great food; great fashion if you are US size 0-2 (which I am most definitely not); the generosity of Koreans in general is overwhelming; a million opportunities to experience another culture and truly participate in the society; kimchi and Korean food culture; the utter lack of masculinity issues in the male population toting man purses, wearing hot pink, and fixing each other's hair; noraebangs (karaoke rooms where you sing with just your friends for hours on end!); I'm leaving out so many things.

The negatives include the incredible emphasis on appearance and vanity; wide-spread acceptance of drunkenness as a hobby for the working class; pushing and shoving in the subway (there's a reason my blog used to be entitled Rage in the A.M.); the lack of toilet paper in public restrooms; I'm leaving out so many things.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Korea?

I think the most helpful thing for me has been having an inside look at the social, cultural phenomenon by having Korean friends. Sure, you can hang out with just foreigners, you can totally isolate yourself from Koreans and their culture, but you will miss out if you do. Prepare yourself for things to not always make sense and be kind to yourself when you find you cannot understand things. I have been here for almost a year and sometimes I still struggle to comprehend the things that go on around me. But the thing I tell myself over and over when I get frustrated is that I am not here to change Korea. I am here to perhaps let Korea change a little bit of me.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about South Korea?

I have a blog called ChubbO Chubbington, which can be found at http://tuesdaysborrower.blogspot.com. There are plenty of awesome expats blogging in Korea and many of them are linked on my site. I like to write about the frustrations of commuting in Seoul (see Rage in the A.M. posts, or those tagged with Seoul metro), the difficulties and joys of planning a wedding in a foreign country, the people I miss back home, and sometimes just whatever made me laugh or sob that day.

There's a great site for any questions you have about Korea or Koreans in general (or specifically) called Ask a Korean. You can email The Korean any and all enquiries and read all the questions he's already answered and more at http://askakorean.blogspot.com.

Look at Stuff Korean Moms Like for a humorous and insider look at the attributes of a Korean mom, the ajummah! You can find Chiyo and her K-mom at http://stuffkoreanmomslike.blogspot.com.

Anyway, I am enjoying my life in Korea and hope that you enjoyed this interview as well! Thanks for reading.

-Where were you born?

We were both born in Canada.  Simon was born in London, Ontario, while Martina was born in Toronto, Ontario.

-In which country and city are you living now?

We're both living in Bucheon, South Korea.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

We're living alone with each other, if that counts.  We don't have any other family with us, apart from our dog Spudgy, if that counts.

-How long have you been living in Korea?

We moved here at the beginning of June 2008, so about three months.

-What is your age?

We're both 25.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in South Korea?

Both of us have always wanted to live and teach overseas, but we decided on Korea while we were both in university getting our Bachelor of Education. We attended a Careers Fair sometime at the beginning of the second semester and there was a presentation on teaching in Korea, and were really convinced by it.  Getting a job as a teacher in Canada is exceptionally difficult, so when we realized that we could both get paid well to teach in Korea and get a nice place rented out for us we made up our minds to come here.  As well, Simon had taught in a Korean learning center in Toronto for a couple of years beforehand, so we had already a slight taste for Korean culture to begin with.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

We would describe it more as tedious and annoying than difficult. In order to apply for an E2 visa there were several steps that had to performed first.  We had to get a physical before we came to Korea which confirms we're in good health, and this form was no more than a signature and two words, but cost $60 a pop.  We had to get our police check and university diplomas/transcipts notarized by a lawyer. Once we had everything we brought it to the Korean consulate all at once to apply for our E2 visa.  Afterwards we had to come back for an interview, which wasn't so much an interview for our qualifications as teachers as much as a three-minute conversation to see if we can speak English with a reasonable degree of competence.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

We got one month of traveller's insurance at CAA before we left for Korea, which took only twenty minutes to process.  As for our medical insurance in Korea, our school had it all covered. They simply deduct the monthly cost from our paychecks.

-How do you make your living in South Korea? Do you have any type of income generated?

We both work as English Conversation teachers; Martina is at a high school while Simon is at a middle school.  As for the process, it was easy enough. We applied for a job through an agent at our career fair. After a short interview our agents found positions here in Bucheon, Korea. We had a second interview to explain where we would be and how the process would work. We had to gather all of the required documents, mail them to our agents, and get our E2 visa. They did all the big mailing back and forth to Korea, and once we got our E2 visa, they booked our plane tickets. We purchased our plane tickets in Canada, and our schools reimbursed us about a month after we arrived.

-Do you speak Korean and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

We feel quite strongly about this. We do believe that it's important to read and speak the local language, which is why we're trying to learn (though it is exceptionally difficult). We recently learned how to read the Korean alphabet, are now attending free weekly classes for speaking Korean. Once you learn how to read, it is easier to get around by bus and subway, as well as order food from a restaurant. If you're not going to learn to speak Korea, you should (for your own sake) learn to read. You can get by with a few scraps of the language, but we don't think that would be fair to our coworkers, neighbors, and students. If we're living here in Korea, we want to have as authentic a Korean experience as we possibly can, rather than remaining always a "foreigner".

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? What are you favorite recreational activities in Korea?

Yeah, we really do miss our families, especially considering the fact that this is our first time living out of the country.  We created a website on life in Bucheon, Korea in hopes of keeping them up to date and making it seem to them less like we're half a world away.  We use Skype quite often and we bought webcams and microphones for our family before we left.  As for our favorite recreational activities, Simon's really lucky to have a basketball court a stone's throw away from our apartment, so he plays there often.  Martina walks around and takes a lot of pretty pictures and visits the local coffee shops.  Together, we both play with our dog and take him for walks, or we go on different mini-adventures around Bucheon and South Korea and document them on our website as well.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

We can't say for sure what we want to do right now.  We know in the long run that we want to move back to Canada and get teaching jobs there, then have a child or two and whittle away our days until retirement.  As for now, we're really enjoying Korea and plan on staying for at least two years.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

We have an Office-Tel, which is an apartment in a business building, though we can't say exactly how much it costs because we don't pay for it. What we do pay for is electricity and propane. In the summer we run the air conditioner all day and night, so our electricity bill sets us back $100 -150 a month. Our gas bill is around $2.00- 5.00. If you want to see what our apartment looks like, we made a video of it, here:

-What is the cost of living in Korea?

We're compiling the numbers, but not so much in a "how much does it cost" sense as much as a "how much less does it cost than Canada" sense.  We know that cost of public transportation is ridiculously cheap (90 cents - $1.00 as opposed to the $2.75 it costs for the Toronto subway system). An inter-city bus costs around $1.40 for a short trip and up to $9.00 for a 3 hour bus trip. The taxi's are SO cheap, starting at $1.90 we rarely pay over $3.00 for a taxi trip. 

The cost of fruit is absurdly overpriced here; for example, eighteen bucks will get you four or so watermelons in Canada, but only one in Korea.  We're getting our pension back at the end of the year (but not all countries get back this pension), so it's really the amount of money we save in these last two categories that makes cost of living cheaper here than in Canada.

-What do you think about the Koreans?

The locals are great because the locals are not rude.  They're all friendly, all helpful, and all giggly when we try to speak Korean (which is more than likely due to our awful pronunciation).  They're all sociable and really quite understanding of our language barrier. 

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in South Korea?

It all depends on your individual position on it, as we happen to really like it here, but we know others who hate it. Some of these reasons don't really apply to us, like the difficult situation of foreigners dating Koreans. One thing that does bother us, is that drinking is very big in Korea, and getting really, really, drunk is socially acceptable. This can lead to awkward situations if you're not a big drinker, especially when you're with your co-workers.  There are only tiny other things we consider negative, like how our fish isn't de-boned at a restaurant or how it is so sooooooo hot in the summer.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Korea?

Make sure you go to several authentic Korean restaurants before you come to Korea to get used to the food. It can be the biggest shock for some people. Learn the names of the food in Korean so you can order them once you get here, just in case you can't read the menu. We'd strongly recommend reading and learning the language for starters.  Sure, we're making it sound easy, but it's the effort that counts more than your competence most of the time.  Our principals and teachers are really impressed that we're simply trying to learn the language, even though both they know and we know that it's not necessary for us to do so.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Korea?

We spend far too much time working on our own site to browse that many other Korean related sites.  As teachers, we're really thankful for Bogglesworld for many starting points for lesson plans.  As pet owners, we're really glad we stumbled upon Animal Rescue Korea; we didn't plan on getting a dog, but we browsed the forums here and decided to take the plunge, and haven't regretted our decision once.

Thanks for reading!

Simon and Martina

 -Where were you born?

I was born in Manila, Philippines, but spent my childhood in Ilocos Norte (a province up North of Luzon), living with my aunt during school days and spending Christmas and summer breaks with my mom and siblings in Baliwag, Bulacan.

-In which country and city are you living now?

I am now based here in Gwangju, Republic of Korea since I work here as a migrant worker (OFW-Overseas Filipino Worker). I am presently connected with The May 18 Memorial Foundation. It is a non-profit organization that promotes and commemorates the people's victory during the May 18, 1980 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. A very significant history in Korea wherein two of its former presidents where sent to jail because of their wrongdoing and brutal military regime. The uprising brought about democratization in Korea and the rest as they say is history. The subsequent result of democracy was Korea's rise to economic prosperity.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I live with our Cambodian intern and we have a lady intern from Indonesia for our neighbor.

-How long have you been living in Korea?

I was an intern in 2005-2006 and stayed for 10 months and then I came back in April 2007 so it is over a year now.

-What is your age?

I'll be 38 this coming August.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Korea?

I never thought of it. I just made a wish to visit this country in the future. But I was given an opportunity to do internship and then I was offered to stay on but have to go back to my previous NGO (Non-government Organization). Then things turned out not favorable for my stay back home and with the need to support my sister in her nursing education I came back in 2007.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

It was not hard in my case since my papers were worked out by the foundation that I work with. Although it was memorable the first time I came here to Korea. Since a lot of migrant workers come here to work illegally, I was suspected as one coming from a third world country. I was held for an hour at the immigration office with other nationalities with questionable papers. But after an hour of waiting, when the assigned immigration officer came to check my papers and called the office where I was to do my internship he was so apologetic for keeping me waiting and politely showed me out of their office. The second time around was without hassles.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

It was not difficult since the foundation provides for a medical insurance as staff benefit.

-How do you make your living in Korea?

I work as an international staff member of the Culture and Solidarity Team of The May 18 Memorial Foundation. It is interesting to note that the foundation is one of the first NGOs that hired an international staff. Many foreigners come here to work in companies, factories and private education institutions but in my case I work with an NGO.

-Do you speak Korean and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I am very bad at learning Korean. I have been here for some time and still cannot speak the language. Although I am beginning to understand the nuances of the language (smile). I am beginning to believe I am a slow learner (lazy that is). Definitely it is a must to learn the language especially here that only few Koreans speaks English and the rest are very shy to communicate with it. I am so ashamed of myself because of this and for being a fodder of jokes at the office.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

Since I am a vagabond I do not miss much my friends and family (sometimes on a few occasions like birthday and some holidays). Anyway internet and mobile phones are readily available to get in touch with them. Although I miss playing with my nieces and nephews whenever I see lots of children running around the park close by the office or coming to our complex to watch plays at our auditorium. Also, at a young age I learned to be detached from families and friends since I would be in one place at certain time of a year and move to another (school season, summer, and Christmas break).

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I am looking for scholarship opportunities here in Korea and hope to be in a graduate school by Spring of 2009. If I get the chance it will take me two years to finish it so I might be staying here for those periods. And hoping in between I could travel to other places close by like China, Japan and Taiwan. After studies I plan to go back to my country and work with NGOs.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

The foundation pays for the rent but we pay for the utilities, eletricity, gas and internet/telephone bills. Gas bills would peak during winter time so we would spend for a month more than US $100.00, but summer time it is lesser. The place where we reside was developed not more than a decade ago so it is quite expensive, but the price we were not told. It is a decent villa they call it here, a 4-floor building with 3 doors on each floor (varied room sizes), the ground floor serves as a commercial space and the fourth floor is solely occupied by the owner.

-What is the cost of living in Korea?

It is one of the costliest countries to live and ranked fourth in the world. This year because of the oil price increase and the weakening value of Korean won prices of commodities have increased. The kimbap (rolled rice in seaweed with vegetable, egg and other stuffing) that used to cost US$ 1.00 is now costing US$ 1.50. I am not living is Seoul the capital city but prices here in Gwangju are almost the same.

-What do you think about the Koreans?

I am a bit concerned about some reports where bloggers are picking them up portraying rude Koreans back home (the Philippines hosts thousands of Koreans studying English and travelers aside from several businessmen). My experience so far, I find most Koreans polite and courteous. On the streets if you ask for your way you can either get someone who would tell you sorry for not being able to speak in English or someone who had traveled and lived outside Korea and would return the favor (he/she had experience being on your same predicament) by showing you if not bringing you to the place you are looking for. It is normal to be asked your age and marital status since their language has a particular way to address different age levels. They are humorous and fun-loving people. They enjoy singing and dancing. And they are for real hardworking people.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Korea?

Positive: nature here in Gwangju is fantastic, so much green and very clean (minimal air pollution), very safe to walk anytime of the night, convenience stores abound, transport system is efficient, good internet access, the variety of the cuisine is something to enjoy if you are fond of chilli hot food. So many places to go and things to do for as long as you have a good sum of money (mountains, rivers, beach, island, natural parks and themed parks), although you can also travel on a shoe-string budget if that is the case and if you do your research well, so better be prepared. I like their saunas or jimjilbang (sleeping room), public bath house and a place to spend leisure time with friends or family where everyone could sleep and snore at the same hall/rooms together. These places have internet access, big TV screen, sporting facilities, massage, restaurant and other amenities to while away weekends. These places also get popular during winter time. People are highly educated and very well informed (politicized even), many are environment advocates and fond of hiking and other sporting activities.

Negative: few people speak English so automatically the labels of food and establishments names are mostly in Korean or Konglish (Korean-English), the wash room is for washing not bathing. Most Korean apartments do not provide for a shower space. So you get to wet the whole wash room floor when taking a bath. I think the design was meant to maximize space and to make use of public bath places or saunas, so it is normal to see people carrying their basket of toiletries on the street. Litters of variety ads and flyers on the street, on your mail box and posted on your doors, it becomes an eyesore and so much garbage. So much food wastage in restaurants. Koreans are not fond of doggy bags and perhaps they find it too cumbersome to put all those numerous side dishes in a doggy bag so leftovers are thrown into the garbage bin.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Korea?

The answer to the negative and positive can speak for the tips. Anyhow, try to learn the language when you come or decide to live here. Be aware of the immigration department's advisory and policy especially for those who want to teach English. Do make yourself available for volunteer work. If you decide to live in Gwangju don't fail to check the Gwangju International Center. It is a one of a kind resource center for expats. It is fueled by the energy, enthusiasm and commitment of its volunteers, thus an English newsletter has been sustained by the expat community through the years. Before it was "Dynamic Korea" today it is "Sparkling Korea", my ad pitch: "Just come 2 Korea!".

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Korea?

I do blog about my life here in Korea at http://peterahon.blogspot.com, aside from the blog about my work or our office blog. The Korean Culture and Information Service manages a site at http://korea.net, it is a must visit for all intending to visit Korea. Also, if you are interested to know more about expats life in Korea check out this Korean blog list at http://www.koreanbloglist.com.

-Where were you born?

Virginia, U.S.A

-In which country and city are you living now?

Seoul, South Korea

-Are you living alone or with your family?

Alone

-How long have you been living in South Korea?

8 months

-What is your age?

Thirty-something.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in South Korea?

I was very unhappy in my previous job, it was a job, you know? Not a career like I hoped that it would turn into. I also missed traveling and seeing new things, being immersed in a different culture. A Korean friend of mine suggested that I check out Korea, I researched, spoke with a couple people via email and Boom! I'm here, eight months later.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

It wasn't since I opted to go the "English Teacher" route. The company or school that you decide to work for secures the visa, etc.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Medical insurance was included in my contract so there was nothing to worry about. Even if I didn't have health insurance, health insurance and medicine is much more inexpensive here than in the U.S.

-How do you make your living in South Korea? Do you have any type of income generated?

I'm a Photographer who also teaches English. I went to Dave's ESL cafe to further research how to secure a job in Korea and it was quite helpful as I could also ask specific questions about day to day living in Seoul. It took about a week and a half to decide on who to sign with. As soon as I put my resume online, people were calling me from Korea in a matter of a few hours to interview me! I even had an agent who was trying to find me the best working and living situation. Alas, I decided to go with a company I'd found on my own. Two weeks later, I was on a plane heading to Korea.

-Do you speak Korean and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I do not speak Korean, I speak enough to get by and being courteous, respectful and fascinated about their culture has opened so many doors for me. Some things just transcend language. A smile is miraculous! However, it is very important to learn the language no matter where you are. I speak French and Swedish fluently as I lived in both countries over long periods of time. I'm working on my Korean.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I miss my family but they are so used to me traveling and living all over the world. I lived in France and Sweden for long periods of time. I'm a world citizen, so anywhere is home. I do miss the lush beauty of where I was born, the down home warmth and hospitality that can only be found in Virginia and of course, in my family.

My favorite activity is photographing this incredible city, eating delicious Korean food and cafe hopping. I always discover a new cafe almost daily. Great interior design here.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I have huge business plans for the future and always future travel. I would like to see more of Asia, then visit Africa and definitely South America.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

The contract includes housing. A studio apt. here can range from free (usually if you're teaching small children) or if you're teaching adults, the school will give you a housing allowance. All in all you can expect to pay anywhere from 400 dollars and up for a studio apt. Very cheap, indeed.

-What is the cost of living in South Korea?

I find that I save a lot more money here and really that's also one of the main reasons why people come to work here. I've saved quite a lot! Food is cheaper, clothes are cheaper (if not designer brand, of course)

-What do you think about the Koreans?

I really am enamored of Koreans and their kindness. They have shown nothing but kindness and respect to me and really inspire me to be a kinder and more helpful person. If you come here expecting Korea to be just like home and you constantly compare the two, you will be miserable and complain a lot. I stay away from the complainers and thus have a totally different experience than my complaining counterparts. I think that they are warm to foreigners and are just as curious about us as we are about them.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in South Korea?

The positives are that I get to experience Korean culture on a daily basis, my photography has really taken off in great directions here as well as meeting some of the most interesting people I've met in a long time. I also have the opportunity to really practice yoga every day and learn more about meditation. Oh, and the money that I save is pretty nice as well. Ha!

The negatives: it's extremely humid in the summer time, the rainy season will make it even more humid and well, the other stuff is so small, it's not really worth mentioning. I really do like it here.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in South Korea?

Complain in private or better yet, don't complain. We're all here for different reasons and make each day about something positive that you're going to do and do it.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about South Korea?

Personally, I love my blog! This Time in Seoul: http://www.nearandfar.wordpress.com

Also this guy helped me out a great deal, and he also has great podcasts:

Scribblings of the Metropolitician: http://www.metropolitician.blogs.com

Check us out! Good luck to you no matter where you choose to live!