Living and Working in Korea
Overview of Korea
Korea is a beautiful and modern country with a varied climate. It has mountains to climb and ski, great beaches for swimming and scuba-diving, and bustling, 24-hour cities.
This modern society has deep roots spanning centuries of civilization. The temples and fortresses of ancient Korea, such as Pulguksa in the city of Kyongju are must-see destinations.
Korea's climate has four distinct seasons, ranging from 35 degrees C in summer to -10 degrees C in winter.
Korea is a country of contrasts, juxtaposing high-tech industry with centuries-old tradition. With technology companies like LG, Samsung, and Daewoo, and a high population density, services such as public transportation, internet, and cellphone services are inexpensive and easily accesible.
Living in Korea
When teaching overseas in Korea, many things will be provided for you free of charge in your contract. Housing is provided free of charge, or a housing allowance is added to your wages. Bear in mind that with a very dense population, apartments are generally smaller that those in North America.
Daily living expenses, such as food, clothes, etc., are very low compared to North America. In most cases, you can save roughly half your monthly income, and still enjoy frequent restaurant dining, do plenty of shopping, and take vacations within Korea or to Japan, China, Thailand, etc.
It is not necessary to learn Korean to enjoy your time overseas. Seoul and other large cities offer plenty of opportunities for travel, shopping, and general daily life for those with little or no Korean language experience. However, learning to read the Korean alphabet is actually quite simple, and does make life in Korea somewhat easier. Most people can learn the basic alphabet and read phonetically after a couple hours of study. Spoken and conversational Korean fluency does take more time and effort. Learning even a few basic words and phrases (your address, thank you, please, etc.) will help you acclimatize and settle in to Korean living.
Working in Korea
A teaching position in Korea is a serious, professional job. Teaching hours vary from school to school, but plan on putting in a 35 to 40 hour work week, including class preparation etc. Some people do come to Korea expecting to do little or no work, and more or less look on it as a paid semi-vacation. While a Korean teaching position may not be backbreaking labour, it is a real job and should be treated as such. Your contract can be terminated if you do not fulfill your duties as a teacher.
The Korean staff you will be working with will also vary. Some may understand and be comfortable with North American culture, others may not. Remember to treat your director and co-teachers with respect, and maintain a professional attitude. Mutual respect and caring is very important in the Korean workplace. If you do have a difficulty with a co-worker, you may talk it over with the co-worker and/or your director privately. Public confrontation between staff members is considered quite rude.
Gift-giving in the workplace is common. You may want to bring a small gift for your new employer. It need not be anything expensive, but a generous gesture of this kind is much appreciated. Employers and co-workers often exchange gifts for various Korean holidays. It's not unusual to receive a gift-pack of shampoo, socks, cleaning products, or even Spam. You can respond in kind, but it's understood that foreign teachers (that's us) do not celebrate the same holidays and traditions. Gift-giving is simply a common part of Korean society. If you choose to participate, your generosity will be appreciated, but it is not mandatory.
These are just a few tips for making your life and your job in Korea easier and more enjoyable. Contact us at any time for more in-depth information.