my South Korea Blog

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Moving Moving to any new place can be daunting; amongst all the new things you’ll need to adjust to, perhaps the weather is the most difficult. Those who arrive from the Americas are used to four distinct seasons, including cold winters and warm to hot summers. Living closer to or further from the equator can also play a significant role in how difficult the adjustment will be. Those who grew up in the Mediterranean or something similar will be used to year round heat and humidity. Weather in South Korea isn’t as big a hurdle as it might be. The small peninsular country has four distinct seasons, and the fall and spring are the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy nature. Summers can be hot and muggy, but Koreans love their water parks; no matter where you are, there’s a good chance that there’s some kind of water park within easy traveling distance. Maybe big or maybe small, but they’re out there and all it takes is some detective work or asking a friend. South Korea is also well known for its hot springs or “oncheons”, which are also numerous and easily found. Public baths (Jjimjilbangs) are a popular treat and a visit to one could include a body scrub and massage. These are quite similar to the Roman style bathhouses and an inexpensive way to spend an afternoon. They include lounge areas with snacks and heated floors where you can take a nap. The bathhouses are divided by gender and women can also enjoy this cultural treat. Winters in South Korea are dry and cold, so visitors need to bring seasonal clothing; however, homes often have heated floors (ondol heating) similar to those found in the bathhouses. Even in the dead of winter, once someone has arrived home, they can shed the winter layers and pretend that it’s summer all over again and without the humidity. South Korean heating style includes a system of water pipes that run underneath the floor. These floors circulate hot water and provide an evenly distributed heat that permeates the structure. Some people even prefer to sleep on the floor with blankets, providing a firm surface for the back and using the heat to solve lower back problems. One of the best ways to visit a country is through an extended visit, and teaching English in South Korea can be the perfect way to make that happen. Teaching jobs generally pay very well and there’s usually opportunities to earn additional money teaching private classes (a bonus if your student loan is still hanging over you like a lead balloon). Private language schools and businesses hire year round, while public schools, colleges and universities hire in September and March. My partner and I facilitate hiring for many schools and companies in South Korea, so if this interests you, feel free to reach out. There are no fees involved (on your end; we do receive commissions from the schools) and we’re willing and able to help you through the hiring and the settling in processes. The spas and hot springs are waiting for you.

Everyone Loves the Beach Everyone loves the beach. Take a blanket and umbrella, some food, sunscreen (which I always forget) and your’re good to go. Everyone carries a picture of it in their mind, the picture-perfect afternoon setting, with white sand, crystal blue water and the soundtrack of waves crashing on the shore. So what happens when you get there and discover the sand is black? Black sand beaches are located all over the world. They’re the product of volcanic activity that has worn down into fine grains but these grains can be rough on the feet and hard to walk on. Especially since the black tint causes them to absorb more heat than white sand. In spite of this, black sand beaches worldwide are popular due to their health benefits. People can (and often do) bury themselves in the sand to replicate a sauna-type effect, allowing the heat to purge toxins from their body. South Korea is no different with one exception: it has only one black sand beach, Samyang Black Sand Beach, which is much less popular than the more typical white sand beaches. It’s located on Jeju Island, one of South Korea's most popular tourist destinations, and was created from one of the island’s three main volcanoes. These volcanoes are the only ones in this Asian country and why Samyang is one of a kind. The Korean people believe the black sand can cure a variety of ailments such as obesity, dermatitis, athlete’s foot, skin problems and much more. Those who choose to visit will need some form of footwear to navigate the beach but they can also cool off in the ocean waters will are s few steps away. Getting to Jeju Island and Samyang Beach can be time consuming, so it’s best to head here on vacation rather than a weekend getaway (although a long weekend might make it more possible). While you’re here, you’ll also want to check out Byeoldobong Peak, which is at the tail end of a trail that winds through orange groves. Another popular hike is Sarabong Peak, where you can see most of the island and watch spectacular sunsets. Sanji Lighthouse is located in a small fishing village where you can sample the local cuisine while enjoying amazing views of Hallasan Mountain and the smaller islands surrounding Jeju. Buses will take you anywhere you need to go; cars and motorbikes can be rented, and a coastal self-driven tour of the island can take 5 to 7 days. Visitors can arrive here by plane or by boat from Busan. The ferry is an 11 hour overnight trip. One of the best ways to visit Jeju island is to spend a year working in country, making it much easier to get to (flights from Gimpo Airport in Seoul, Korea take approximately 1 hour and cost less than $100 USD one way). Teaching jobs generally pay very well and there’s usually opportunities to earn additional money teaching private classes (a bonus if your student loan is still hanging over you like a lead balloon). Private language schools and businesses hire year round, while public schools, colleges and universities hire in September and March. Jeju Island and Samyang beach are the first of many places you’ll want to visit, trips that could fill an entire calendar year. My partner and I facilitate hiring for many schools and companies in South korea, so if this interests you, feel free to reach out. There are no fees involved (on your end; we do receive commissions from the schools) and we’re willing and able to help you through the hiring and the settling in processes. Now is the time to try the adventure of a lifetime.

Experience, Not Reading Tourists on 10-cities-10-days tours will probably want to see traditional Korean music, which is called “gugak”. This isn’t the equivilent of western folk music and it certainly isn’t western opera. There is much more to Korean music, however, such as ballads, hip-hop, R&B and indie rock. K-Pop is music you can dance to and is very similar to western pop music; it focuses on dance and attractive young artists who are idols to the young fans who flock to the concerts and buy the records. K-Pop is popular not only in South Korea but in most of Asia and around the world. It’s even more popular than J-pop, Japan’s answer to the pop music scene, due to the fact it’s very similar to western pop music, while J-pop and other pop music nationalities have a decidedly eastern influence (making them most popular at home and slightly less popular in neighbouring countries). You can always check out K-pop (or other pop music varieties) on Youtube but music is always best experienced live, which is why we have nightclubs and stadium concerts, right? If you happen to be walking through a mall doing some window shopping, you might even run into a band playing to the customers on a Tuesday afternoon. Find out the band’s name and you can track them down on Youtube to hear more of their music (and maybe even buy one of their records). Spend a year teaching English in South Korea and you can relax on weekends soaking up the music scene, which includes Korean style blues and jazz music. Teaching jobs generally pay very well and there’s usually opportunities to earn additional money teaching private classes (a bonus if your student loan is still hanging over you like a lead balloon). Private language schools and businesses hire year round, while public schools, colleges and universities hire in September and March. The friends you make at work and at play will create memories that will last a lifetime, but only if you try. If this sounds like an adventure you’d enjoy (I did, in the mid- to late-1990’s), drop me a line and let me know. My partner and I help teachers to sign contracts and assimilate to life in Korea. You can begin anytime.

Tourism Punch For such a small country, South Korea packs a punch when it comes to tourism and nature. From its capital city, Seoul, it’s a short trip to the DMZ where you can learn about the Korean War. Although an armistice was signed in 1953, the Korean War never officially ended; the ceasefire led to the creation of the DMZ, where talks between the north and south occasionally take place, a peace treaty was never signed and the war technically still continues today, almost 70 years later. It’s also a short and easy trip to Busan, the most southern city on the peninsula. High speed KTX trains can bridge the two cities in as little as 3 hours and the countryside is littered with mountains and forest for your viewing pleasure. About halfway between the two largest cities, Daejon is a city of 1.5 million people sitting alongside the Geum River. In May of each year, national and international tourists flock to the city for the Gyejoksan Barefoot Festival. Music performances accompany a marathon along the Gyejoksan Red Clay Trail in Jangdong Forest Park. Less ambitious participants can enjoy a leisurely barefoot walk along the 14.5 km path, which remains open year round for anyone to take a shoeless stroll. Take a one year sabbatical to teach English and all of this and more is within your reach. Language schools and after-school study centers (called “hogwans”) hire teachers year-round, while public schools, colleges and universities begin their semesters in September and March. If teaching adults is your preference, South Korea is home to many companies with a global presence, companies who need staff that can communicate in English . If this sounds like an adventure you’d enjoy (I did, in the mid- to late-1990’s), drop me a line and let me know. My partner and I help teachers to sign contracts and assimilate to life in Korea. The peninsula is waiting for you.

Traditional Culture Most people understand that Korea is a very traditional culture, similar to other Asian countries, so manners and etiquette are important if you want to make a good impression. Korean etiquette is much different from ours, but it isn’t that hard to learn if you can watch and listen (and follow the examples of the people you see around you), or find a friend who can show you the ropes. For example, Koreans don’t say thank you in response to gestures of goodwill (holding a door open) or apologize for, say, accidentally bumping into someone when they’re walking. Gratitude is shown in other, more discreet behaviours, and bumping is considered a minor incident since Korean cities can be very crowded. On a busy sidewalk, if etiquette required an apology for bumping someone, people would be too busy apologizing to get anywhere or do anything. Hats should be removed indoors (same as in the west) and shoes removed when entering someone’s home. Objects should be offered and received with two hands or only the right hand, but never with the left hand. Chopsticks should be laid across a bowl and level to the table when not being used (leaving them in the bowl and upright or semi-upright reminds people of incense and, by extension, death). Food should never be eaten with the fingers or hands, and never while walking; if you buy street food, find a nearby bench where you can enjoy it. Koreans are a very kind and proud people, and realize that most foreigners don’t know the rules, so making an effort to learn them can earn their respect and friendship. Korean people will also go out of their way to make certain that foreigners have a good experience in their country, which can make it a wonderful place to visit, either short-term or long-term. One of the best ways to experience this first-hand is by taking a teaching job and working-living in South Korea for a year or two. Language schools and public schools pay well, a bonus if you’ve just finished university and have a huge student loan to repay. Colleges and universities pay even better. If teaching English sounds like an adventure, send me a message. Most language schools schools hire year round, public schools in September and March, so it’s never too early to begin planning the adventure, and you’ll never know what you missed if you don’t try.

Extended Holiday There are a lot of reasons to visit Korea for an extended holiday and perhaps the most important is that you really can’t soak up the culture on a 10 cities in 10 days tour. Another reason is the abundance of Korean holidays. It’s obviously too late to check out the Korean version of Valentine’s Day (there’s always next year) but did you know that on Valentine’s Day, the custom is for women to give chocolates or other gifts to men (are you listening, guys?). Now before you women readers start to protest, Valentine’s Day in Korea is partnered with White Day, which is one month later on March 14. Now it’s the guy’s turn to pony up and show their feelings. This is child’s play for both men and women, since many convenience stores put up displays of chocolates a week before Valentine’s Day and keep them up until a week after White Day. Just remember to splurge on the Ferrero Rocher; Twix may be chocolate but does anyone really want to eat a chocolate that is desperate for attention? And it gets better. April 14 is Black Day, when singles can socialize over a bowl of Jjajyangmyeon (Black Noodles). Black Day isn’t as commercialized as its predecessors but it's still a popular day with young singles. Black Day is followed by Rose Day (May 14), another couple’s day. In fact, the 14th of every month is a couple’s holiday; June 14 is Kiss Day and July 14 is Silver Day. Green Day is August 14, Photo Day is the 14th of September and October 14 is Wine Day. Movie Day (November 14), Hug Day (December 14) and Diary Day (January 14) round out the year. So there really isn’t any perfect time of the year to experience a Korean couple’s holiday. Teaching jobs in South Korea typically start year round at the language schools and study centers; public schools, colleges and universities start their semesters in March and September. The best way to experience Korean culture is to immerse yourself in it for a year (or longer); send me an email or sms if teaching English in South Korea sounds right for you.

Teaching and Learning Teaching jobs overseas are as much about learning as they are about teaching; a new culture with strange customs, new food, an entirely new landscape, and so on. Some of these can be read online or experienced in a Korean restaurant in your home country. However, South Korea is the birthplace of Hapkido, one of many Korean martial arts that aren’t taught anywhere else (not even on Youtube). Taking a year off to teach English in South Korea creates a window where you can study this ancient art from a skilled teacher in a traditional dojang (Korean dojo or training hall). IM me for teaching jobs in South Korea and you could be on your way to not just a job but a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Teaching and learning Teaching jobs in south Korea are plentiful and a great opportunity to travel, learn new skills and experience history and Korean culture. You can visit the DMZ that separates the two Koreas (which are technically still at war) or spend a vacation on Chejudo, the Korean "Hawaii" (a well-deserved title). You will also make friendships that could last a lifetime while teaching children or teaching adults (or both) who are respectful and focused students. IM me to find out more and see if this adventure is for you.

Summer Overseas Summer is coming and the world is opening up again; what better a time to consider an adventure teaching English overseas? South Korea is one of the biggest marketplaces for teaching jobs; Korean schools pay very well, especially for new teachers, and many of them will provide or reimburse round trip airfare, plus provide private accommodation. Add to that the mystique of learning a new language, experiencing a new culture and sampling Korean cuisine, one of the best and healthiest foods a person can eat. Send an IM to arrange a Zoom #interview and get the ball rolling. Your future begins now.