Author: aclipse

Saying “See you later!” to the people you care about most can be really hard, but I try to remind myself that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I won’t regret. After saying a slightly tearful goodbye the morning of my flight, I completed my luggage drop off at the Delta kiosk and handed off my checked bags.

There are tons of places in Korea you can go to get your hair cut and styled. Just don’t be like me and put it off. You have nothing to be afraid of. Here’s some important info to set your mind at ease before you make an appointment!

From the hiring process to teaching in the classroom, Chungdahm Institute has provided great support. The training week was key to help me get started. The standardized curriculum also made the adjustment smooth, and pretty easy to adjust to. I even received lots of support from the Korean administrators for things like immigration appointments, banking, and finding my apartment. Over the past few years, the Company has remained a safe and supportive workplace for me. I’ve been able to focus solely on teaching without a lot of the administrative burdens.

GOTO Mall is located at the “Express Bus Terminal” stop. Make your way to metro Line No. 9. After that, take Exit 8-1 and you will be greeted with more vendors than you can dream of. They sell handbags, women’s clothing, men’s clothing, tech accessories, bedding, underwear, skincare, and more. There are even tarot card readers! You name it, GOTO Mall probably has it. For this trip, I’m searching for some nice bedding, warm-toned home decor, and other small housewares.

Here are a few great Korean dishes that just happen to be gluten-free!

○ Gimbap 김밥 – Gimbap looks similar to Japanese sushi, but it usually includes vegetables, rice, and a cooked meat (like
tuna for example).

○ Bibimbap 비빔밥 – A mixed rice dish that usually includes vegetables and an egg, just be sure to ask that it’s not cooked with soy sauce!

○ Bulgogi 불고기- This is a popular meat used for Korean barbeque! The great news is a lot of meats traditionally eaten at a Korean barbeque should be okay. Again, just be careful about what sauces are included!

For a more detailed list of gluten-free Korean foods, I recommend checking out this website from the Gluten Intolerance Group! 

There are tons of options for gyms in Korea, from big fitness centers to local gyms. I prefer a bigger facility because they have various classes I enjoy such as yoga and spinning. I have also hired an English speaking personal trainer at my gym to help give me structure to my workouts. If you are looking to save some money, you can join a smaller gym for as little as 20,000 won a month (14$ USD). The only catch is that they might not have all the equipment you’re used to back home. I recommend joining a gym in the first few months that you arrive so that you can get the best possible payment plan.

An educational consultant works with schools and students to streamline their educational goals. This career is an easy way to stay within the educational space without necessarily focusing on ESL or the day-to-day realities of teaching. This is a perfect career for anyone passionate about curriculum, student advocacy, and big picture thinking.

Certain seasons, especially spring and winter, have a rise in air pollution levels due to the air stream currents and the way they flow into Korea. March and April are usually the worst months where yellow dust from deserts in China and Mongolia moves into Korea, while the winter months of December and January can experience increased emissions from stagnant air. Given the fact that Seoul is a dense, urban city, there are also occasions where things like vehicle emissions and construction can contribute to air pollution as well.

When the day came for my interview, I was nervous and excited at the same time. I had no idea what to expect. Once I entered the call and introduced myself, Nico (my recruiter) created a super welcoming and judgment-free space. I felt comfortable to ask any questions I had about teaching English, and felt relaxed during the interview.

To put simply, I’m living exactly how I hoped I would when I dreamed of living abroad: Spending money on travel when I’m not working, but still with enough money to enjoy my daily life with comfort and convenience.

But do I manage to put 20% of my income into savings each month? Emphatically, yes. I usually put about 20-30% of my income into savings each month, and to be frank, I haven’t been trying that hard. While that’s my personal choice, I think others who are more focused on their financial savings will find that they can save more than 30% if that’s a priority.