South Korea FAQs
Oh hey!
You may have a lot of questions about South Korea and the moving abroad process. Sooo, I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions that I receive from people in my DM’s. If you don’t see an answer to a question you may have below, please feel free to write one in the comment section at the bottom of this page. Happy reading!
How long have you been in South Korea?
Too long! Haha. Just kidding. I just began my third year in South Korea and I’m still in love with this place.
How are you liking Korea so far?
Liking it?! I’m loving it. I’m finding it difficult to get tired of this place (specifically Busan). There’s always a unique dish to try, a different place to experience, and new people to meet that this lifestyle hardly gets boring for me. I mean, the beach is a short walk down the street. What’s not to love about that?
Do you enjoy teaching in South Korea?
I do. Each day brings its unique challenges (aka these kids TRY me), but what is life without a challenge. I never thought I’d be a teacher, especially one in another country, but I’m here enjoying it, and my kiddos :).
Where did you get TEFL certified?
There are many organizations where you can get certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). I chose to get TEFL certified through International TEFL Academy. They do a great job of getting you prepared for classroom life as a teacher and their advisors take care of your every need. Not to mention they have an awesome, supportive alumni community across the globe.
If you’re interested in getting TEFL certified, you can use my referral link by clicking here to enroll in your course of choice today.
What is the job placement process like after becoming TEFL certified?
It depends. If you apply to the EPIK program, the process is about 6-7months in total. I recommend using a free recruiting company like Korvia or Korean Horizons because they can help you with the tricky, tedious paperwork process. They give you a timeline for submitting your paperwork in order to increase your chances of getting accepted into the EPIK program (no guarantees there of course).
For other teaching positions outside of EPIK, the usual job placement process can vary anywhere between 2 to 6 months. But because of the pandemic, I suspect these times have increased.
Do you work for EPIK or a Hagwon and what made you decide?
When looking to teach in Korea, the popular places to teach at are Hagwons (private, cram schools) or with the government-ran program EPIK (English Program in Korea). I chose EPIK over Hagwons. Personally, hagwons are hit-or-miss and they’re notorious for their shady work practices. Not to say there aren’t good hagwons, but there was too much uncertainty for my liking.
I’m going to be real with you, I chose EPIK because of the job security and those 26 days of vacation time that we get each year (haha). There are many benefits to working for EPIK:
You’re paid on time (some hagwons can get really shady about paying you on time).
26 days of paid vacation + paid national holidays (there are a lot of them…YAY)
Health insurance + pension plan + severance pay
It’s not sunshine and rainbows all the time, but overall it’s a good job.
Do you feel safe in Korea?
Let me preface this by mentioning that I’m from the suburbs of Southeast New York, so I can’t really remember a time when I felt unsafe. Even so, I was still vigilant and kept my guard up just in case.
With that being said, yes! I feel completely safe in Korea. Even though the crime rate here is relatively low, it’s a safe country, and I’ve let my guard down a little bit, the NY in me forces me to always remain vigilant and aware of my surroundings. Nothing happens until it happens.
What is the black (female) experience like in South Korea?
Ooo! This question is a lot to unpack and requires its own blog post (coming soon). But to keep it kind of short, the black experience (particularly the female one) is…complex. Your geographic location within Korea, skin tone, hair type, what country you’re from, your perception, etc. I could go on forever. There are so many factors that go into how black people in Korea are digested. But overall, my experience as a black woman here has been a positive one.
How is it living abroad with natural hair?
Just reading this question makes me feel exhausted and not because it’s asked often, but because living here has me thinking 3 times a day about taking clippers to my mane (I’m a little stressed). I’m not exaggerating when I say that I threaten my tresses daily. For me, maintaining my fro over here has been trying due to factors such as:
Environmental change
Hard water
Convenient access to beauty supply shops & natural haircare specialist
I’d imagine it’s a bit easier for men and women living in/near Seoul or on/near military bases because of access and variety, but that’s not always the case for me over in Busan.
The upside is that I was forced to learn how to properly care for my hair myself.
I have natural hair. How many hair products should I pack?
ALL OF THEM! No, lol. But do pack about 3 months’ worth of hair products in your luggage & more in a box to be shipped once you receive your apartment address in Korea. This process worked well for me and gave me ample time to find websites that sold & shipped my preferred products to Korea.
Check out my post on where to get natural hair care products in Korea so you’re not caught looking ashy in these Korean streets.
Does your Master’s degree make you more marketable in Korea?
If you’re applying for a teaching position at a university or job outside of teaching, yes. It will definitely make you more marketable. But when it comes to teaching at a public school or Hagwon, meh! There may be a little bump in your pay if your Master’s is in Education or maybe Psychology, but I have my Master’s in Business and no one cares about it, haha. I have the same pay rate as a teacher who has their Bachelor’s. Your amount of years of teaching experience is what really dictates your pay rate here.
Can you pay down your student loans/debt and still live comfortably?
It depends on how much debt you’ve incurred, how much money you have saved, and how much money you’ll be making. It’s definitely possible to pay down your debt, save, and live comfortably, but this doesn’t apply to everyone. I suggest making a personal budget, assessing your current debt, creating a list of projected expenses based on the cost of living in Korea as an expat, and make your decision based on your findings.
How are you learning Korean? Is it difficult communicating with your co-workers? Is there a language barrier?
*Deep sigh*
I have been taking free Korean classes on and off with Busan Foundation for International Cooperation (BFIC) and it’s a struggleee! I’m able to read and write Hangul, but when it comes to conversation, I am a slow learner. In addition to these classes, I recommend learning apps like Quizlet, HelloTalk, and Rosetta Stone.
I don't really have any issues communicating with my co-workers in the English department. Most speak English very well. There is a language barrier with some co-workers in other departments, but we work through it. Thankfully, there’s always someone to translate. Of course every now and then things get lost in translation, but it comes with the experience.
When should I convert my money to Korean Won?
I converted some of my USD to Korean Won at Incheon Airport once I got to Korea. After opening my bank account here, I converted the rest of my money at the bank. I think you’ll get a better rate if you wait to convert your money once in Korea.
How do you set up your Korean phone plan?
I set up my phone plan through Kimchi Mobile online. They have English services, affordable phone plans, and a great step-by-step process for setting them up for EPIK teachers. Once you’re finished signing up for your plan, they ship your sim card right to your school. Convenient right?
How do you find the process of meeting new people?
I made a majority of my friends here during my 10-day EPIK orientation. But if you’re not with EPIK, it’s still pretty easy to meet new people here. There’s a huge expat community in South Korea and as a result, many Facebook, KakaoTalk, and Meetup groups have formed. If you’re a bit of an introvert like myself, I recommend putting yourself out there (no matter how daunting it may feel) and going to expat events (when safe). It’s the perfect opportunity to find who you mesh well with and hopefully make some lifelong friends.
I hope you found this to be informative. If you have any questions different from the ones above, please feel free to ask away in the comment section.
Yours,
Kenny