Relocation Archives

Category: Relocation

16 Jan

3 Challenges I Overcame Teaching In Korea

When I first received the job offer to teach English in Seoul through Aclipse, I felt a mix of emotions. Although I was extremely excited that a long-term goal of mine was finally coming to life, I was also extremely scared about moving across the world.

Yes, I was nervous about not being fluent in the language and navigating cultural differences, but I was most nervous about my first term as a teacher. While I had some experience teaching, I had never taught English as a foreign language, and never had a classroom to call my own.

Now that I have fully settled into my life in Seoul, I want to share how I overcame the biggest challenges I faced during my first term. I hope my experience navigating this huge transition can help you on your journey as well! Even when things may be tough at first, things will get better with time and patience!

Missing Friends And Family

This challenge is a given when you move half way across the globe, but you truly don’t know how much it will affect you until it happens. I mentally prepared for months before I moved to be away from the people closest to me, but it was still incredibly difficult.

When I first landed, I was so excited, happy, and overstimulated to really even think about my support system. The training and housing process took up a majority of my time, and the excietment consumed me. It wasn’t until my first week in my empty apartment that I realized exactly how far away I was from everyone I loved.

For some, this might not be a challenge at all, but it was a huge challenge I had to overcome. Needless to say, there were a lot of facetimes, emails, and phone calls, but it’s still not the same! Eventually, you build a new support system in Korea that doesn’t replace what you had at home, but is key to your new life overseas.

Cultural Differences

Although I grew up with the Korean side of my family, I am super-duper American. Small gestures like holding the door open for strangers was not common, and it was a little jarring.

Having spent my entire life being accustomed to one way of doing things, I took every single cultural difference to heart. And to my surprise, it did have an effect on me. Sometimes I wondered, “Do they not like me?” Korean people can be rude! Am I doing something wrong?” Many thoughts raced in my head from time to time while transitioning to life in Korea.

But after a couple months, these thoughts eventually disappeared as I grew more accustomed to Korean culture. I realized that while there were some things that seemed rude or strange, it was just the way things are done here. I realized it is not a reflection of the warmth of Korean people, but that it is just expressed in a different way! I quickly learned to not take everything to heart, and realize that there were parts of Korean culture I simply had to adjust to. I don’t even think about those little things anymore, and they have become a part of my normal daily life!

Classroom Management

My first two struggles were a bit more personal, but my third struggle relates mostly to the classroom. While I had some teaching experience before moving to Korea, managing a classroom of students that don’t fully understand English was much different.

When you think about classroom management, you think of keeping students under control. While this might be true in the States, I actually struggled the most with getting students to participate!

Since I teach at an after school program, some of our classes run until 10pm at night. Many students in Korea are fatigued and have trouble concentrating at this time of the day.

Something that really helped me with this was working with other teachers at my branch. Since they have known and worked with the students much longer than I have, they were able to give me great advice on how to get them to participate!

TIP: I also recommend watching social media creators who talk about being a teacher in an EFL environment! They often give great ideas for classroom engagement and helpful tips to make life easier as a teacher! Here’s a good one from Tobias Sample.

Of course, there are other smaller challenges I faced, but these were the biggest three I personally needed to overcome. Moving across the world is a HUGE step that comes with so many twists and turns, but you are not alone in this journey. Your original support system at home, and new support system in at your home school will assist you through every step of the way. I’m now at the point where I have colleagues and friends from my school, outside of my school, and am helping new teachers transition to life in Korea! So, I guess it’s safe to say that they are just stepping-stones to something much greater.

Gabriel White, Marketing Assistant

Gabriel (Gabe) White is an English teacher in South Korea. He is a Korean, Puerto Rican-American from the Richmond, Virginia area and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University. Being involved in student organizations like Filipino Americans Coming Together at VCU (FACT@VCU) and VCU Globe during his college years, Gabe learned just how much he enjoys experiencing new cultures. In his free time, Gabe loves teaching local dance classes, spending quality time with his loved ones, exploring new cities, and watching nostalgic movies.

04 Dec

RelocationTravelBy aclipse

Bringing Pets To Korea

In South Korea, pet strollers are outselling baby strollers. Needless to say, South Koreans love their pets, particularly their little dogs! I’ve seen so many cute dogs and equally cute pet stores (selling everything from little hanboks to sweet treats), I’ve considered getting a dog a couple of times. If you want to move to South Korea and already have a pet, here is some information on how to do it.

Travel Requirements

First of all, it’s a little difficult to say exactly what documents you’ll need to prepare in order to get your pet to Korea because it depends on your home country, the type of pet, and how old your pet is. However, here are a few of the basics that most pets are required to have:

A rabies vaccine
A microchip that is ISO-compliant
Health certificate from a USDA accredited veterinarian

For more information on what exactly your pet will need in order to fly to South Korea, you can start here on the US Department of Agriculture’s website.

Flight Logistics

Like with domestic travel, traveling internationally with a pet is going to vary slightly from airline to airline. A major airline between the U.S. and South Korea is Korean Air (I used this one when I moved to South Korea). On their official website, they outline the steps they require for people traveling with pets. You can check it out here, but here are a few of the most important details regardless of airline.

Make sure your pet is permitted on board. On most airlines, there’s a limit to how many pets and what kind can travel with you on board the flight and in the cargo hold.
Get a quarantine certificate. This will change depending on what country you’re flying out of, but airlines might want to see a quarantine certificate showing your pet is in good health.
Buy a pet carrier if you don’t already have one.
Arrive extra early to the airport and make sure you have extra copies of important documents for your pet.

Apartments

If you’re moving to South Korea with a pet, make sure to let your recruiter and Creverse branch manager know as soon as possible, so they can help streamline the transition, especially when it comes to apartment hunting. Be forewarned, not all apartments in Korea allow pets, and if your contract provides housing for you, there may be no way around it. You’ll need to find other arrangements for your pet back home.

If your contract doesn’t include housing, the most important thing to do is make sure your realtor knows you’ll have a pet with you! As long as your realtor knows you have a pet, they should be able to find suitable housing for you, but be prepared to pay extra fees for living arrangements.

If you’re still unsure about where to start, check out this helpful Youtube video with more information on getting your pet to Korea!

English teacher posing on a bridge in Korea with Namsan Tower in the background

Diana Richtman, Marketing Assistant

Diana Richtman is a writer and ESL teacher living in Seoul, South Korea. Originally from Savannah, Georgia in the United States, Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia in English & Women’s Studies. After receiving her TEFL certification, Diana moved to South Korea where she works at one of Creverse’s April Institutes. When Diana isn’t working, she loves exploring Korea, drinking warm cups of tea, and scaring away her friends with her karaoke performances.

03 Dec

MoneyRelocationBy aclipse

How To Use Coupang, The Amazon Of Korea

When I first moved to Korea, one of the first parts of America that I specifically missed was Amazon. While Amazon does work in Korea, the shipping is much slower and slightly more expensive than in the States. While talking to my Korean friend about this, she said: “Have you tried Coupang yet?”

Coupang is the largest online retailer used in South Korea. Its biggest competitor is G Market. I thought that using a Korean online shop would be difficult since I am still learning Korean, but it was much easier than I thought! Today, I am going to be giving you a step-by-step guide on how to use the Amazon of South Korea: Coupang!

Get Your Alien Registration Card (ARC)

Just like many things in South Korea, an ARC is required to use services like Coupang. The reason for this is because your phone number, bank account, and ARC are all connected in South Korea. Once you have the physical ARC, you can open a bank account and open a phone plan. My school helped me throughout this process, so you have nothing to worry about! Check out our step-by-step guide here if you need it!

Download The Coupang App

Coupang can be found on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store on any recent smartphone. It will look something like this:

The first page that opens when you first start the app is a page that looks like this. You will click on the bottom option to register for a Coupang account. “회원가입” translates to “Sign Up.”

You will then need to fill out a page with your personal information. It will look something like this:

Once you submit this page, you will then need to verify your phone number. There are multiple ways to do this, but I find the easiest is clicking on SMS and verifying it through a text message code.

After you have verified that you are a real person, congratulations! You have officially created your Coupang account.

Start Shopping!

It’s now time for the best part: finding amazing deals with extremely fast shipping! Although Coupang is a Korean app, I have used English in the search bar and have had little to no issues finding what I need. I have purchased bedding, cleaning supplies, home gadgets, toiletries, and so much more with Coupang! On top of this, Coupang has something called, “Rocket Delivery.” Eligible items will be marked with a blue rocket graphic, and will arrive within 1 day or less!

Here is a screenshot of what a normal item page on Coupang will look like!

Once you have decided on what you wish to buy, it’s now time to input your home address.

TIP: If you don’t know how to read or write Korean, type in your home address on Papago and it will automatically translate it for you!

Most buildings have a front door with a password to enter the building. If this is the case, make sure to add the front door password into the delivery instructions! All of the blanks along with what should be written in them can be found here:

After that, all you need to do is hit the big, blue button at the bottom of the screen and you will be done! Coupang is an amazing resource to use when you can’t find an item in stores, or if you want to find good deals. This guide would have helped me A TON when I first found out about Coupang, so I hope it helps you too!

Gabe White, Marketing Assistant

Gabriel (Gabe) White is a soon to be English teacher in South Korea. He is a Korean, Puerto Rican-American from the Richmond, Virginia area and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University. Being involved in student organizations like Filipino Americans Coming Together at VCU (FACT@VCU) and VCU Globe during his college years, Gabe learned just how much he enjoys experiencing new cultures. In his free time, Gabe loves teaching local dance classes, spending quality time with his loved ones, exploring new cities, and watching nostalgic movies.

05 Nov

LifestyleRelocationBy aclipse

Independence & Freedom: Being An English Teacher In Korea

I was an English teacher at Chungdahm from 2019 to 2020, located not far outside of Seoul. I’m often asked about what my favorite part about living in Korea was, and to be honest it’s not an easy answer! But one thing that remained true throughout my stay was the sense of independence and freedom that I was offered.

I’m originally from suburban Maryland, USA, where its takes at least 10 minutes to drive to my nearest grocery store and 15 minutes to get to the closest subway station. Forget about walking anywhere. Korea was a whole new beast for me in the best way possible. Here are a few ways that the experience helped me break out of my shell while working as an English teacher.

1. Public Transportation

I can’t sing the praises of Koreas public transport enough. Not only are trains and buses easily accessible (and always on time), but the navigation apps are phenomenal. They provided updated arrival/departure times down to the minute, color-coded every train/bus line, and even set alarms to buzz when you’re a few stops from your destination so you can nap en route without worry. Metro stations are so easy to navigate, and everything is labeled in multiple languages.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in Korea was go to IKEA to get a mattress for my apartment. I’ve never gone to IKEA alone before. The transportation apps showed me which bus to get on, where I was in real time, and even prompted me to ring the bell so that the bus driver knew to let me off. I was so sure that I was going to mess it up somehow, but at the end of the day, I returned to my hotel with a mattress ordered as my very first big-girl purchase. I honestly would have never done anything if I was too scared to go out.

2. Proximity

This is no surprise to anyone who lives in a city, but boy are things so much easier when places are closer together. Everything I needed was within a 20-minute walking distance from my apartment. In fact, most were within two blocks of me. I’m talking, “there’s a dentist on the first floor of my apartment building” kind of convenience. Let me list off some things that were just inside my building: the dentist, several restaurants (including a taco place), a hairdresser, a nail salon, a café, and a convenience store that sold 36-count cartons of eggs.

On the block across my street, there was an optometrist, an ENT, my bank, a pharmacy, dermatologist, more restaurants than I ever got to try, clothing/accessory shops, karaoke rooms, bars, the bus stop, the metro station, and a taxi station. With everything so close, I became a lot braver when it came to exploring and trying new things. There was no huge time commitment or need to plan an itinerary because everything was right there. Obviously, every city is different, but with the previously mentioned navigation systems, finding something nearby is so easy.

3. Stranger Danger

This one isn’t for everyone but hear me out. Koreans don’t do strangers. The odds of someone talking to you are slim to none unless they’re trying to sell you something. Most tend to not even make eye contact. It’s a very “mind your own business (unless you know the person-then everything is your business)” kind of culture not unlike my Chinese one. For me, the beauty of living in a city is that you probably won’t ever see those people again. I have a great deal of social anxiety, so knowing that people will forget me at the end of the day was actually quite comforting.

It’s not as isolating as it sounds. The second that you have made some kind of bond with a person, you’re in. There was a cashier at my grocery store that I always ended up in line for, and by my third visit she was insisting that I use her phone number for the store’s membership discounts. My apartment building had security workers at the entrances that I would greet every day. I kid you not, when I went back to Korea to visit in the summer of 2023, the same men where there and they remembered me. If you get anxious, living in Korea can be quite freeing since no one knows you and won’t care what you do. And it’s extremely safe!

4. Finances

The cost of living in Korea is so cheap. SO CHEAP. I don’t think I was ever left wanting for anything while I was there. The rent for my flat was around 650k won, which is about $470 USD a month. It was a nice place too. The water bill varied depending on my neighbors, but it never cost more than 200k won ($144 USD). My gas bill? You’ll never believe this one-2,000 won. That’s like $1.45. Food was cheap, bus/train fare was cheap, and with the steady income from teaching I was able to save quite a bit of money.

Since I didn’t have to worry about money (I was still careful, of course), I had the financial freedom to do silly things that I always wanted to do. I bleached my entire head and dyed it purple. I flew to Japan for only a holiday and to Jeju for a weekend. I’ve had a million facials and skin treatments. I stayed at a jimjilbang for a whole night and had endless karaoke parties with my friends. I’m not saying to go absolutely wild, but I would definitely have to plan and budget a lot more if I were to live like that stateside.

5. Doctors

Access to medical services is a special kind of freedom. To an American like myself, the Korean National Health Insurance was almost magical. Even uninsured, services are cheap. There’s essentially a doctor on every corner. I came down with the flu one term and visited a clinic. The waiting room was almost empty, and I think it took maybe 5 minutes for the doctor to see me. Using gestures and a translating app, I let the doctor know what was wrong and he responded in English, “I think you have the flu”. One test and a prescription later, I was sent to the pharmacy next door and immediately given pre-portioned packets of pills with a paper explaining what each one did. This all happened in less than 20 minutes, for less than $20.

Places of work are required to get employee physical examinations. My school was no different. A group of us met up at a local hospital, where we were put through tons of tests. Urine, blood, lung capacity, chest x-rays, color-blindness, hearing, eyesight, dental inspection, mammogram, plus a doctor’s consultation. This all happened in the same building and took less than 3 hours. It’s not too different from a regular check-up at home, but we got the appointment so fast and hardly had to wait. Did I mention I didn’t pay a thing? Back in the USA, the next available appointment for my PCP is November of NEXT YEAR.

A Great Transition

As you can see, none of the experiences listed above are extraordinary, never-before seen, life-changing events. However, they were such laid-back experiences and served as a wonderful transition into adulthood for me. It felt almost like adulting on easy mode to help me build up my confidence levels. I returned home with a newfound assurance that I honestly never thought I’d have. I’m much more open to adventure and going to places that I’ve never been to before. I’m a lot less self-conscious of being around other people. Overall, I’ve just become a lot more comfortable doing things independently, and I owe so much of that growth to my time living overseas.

Lauren Winter, Writer

After completing a double Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Psychology, Lauren left the security of suburban Maryland to teach English abroad in South Korea in 2019. While overseas she strengthened her passion for children’s development and education while enjoying the fruits of Korean life. With new friendships, newfound independence, and a new “home away from home” in tow, Lauren found her teaching experience life changing! She now works as a freelance copyeditor and writer and lives happily with her cat son, Cedar.

24 Oct

RelocationVisaBy aclipse

How To Get Your E-2 Visa To Teach English In Korea

Congratulations! You just got an offer to teach English in South Korea, signed your contract, and are now ready to prepare the required documents for the E-2 visa application. Here are step-by-step instructions to follow to get this completed in style!

What Is An E-2 Visa?

The E-2 visa is the “Long-term Visa to teach a Foreign Language” in Korea. You cannot teach English legally in Korea without this visa. You must meet certain eligibility requirements, and must secure the visa prior to your arrival in Korea. It is issued for a 13-month term, allowing you to teach for 1 full year. If you decide to extend your teaching term in Korea, your school can assist you in renewing this visa.

The Main Steps

For those teaching at a private language academy, your school first applies for your visa issuance number (VIN – a.k.a. visa code or visa certificate) though Korean Immigration. After approximately 3 weeks, you’ll receive your VIN and then submit your application for your E-2 visa at the appropriate Korean Consulate. About 2 weeks later, you’ll receive your visa grant notice (VGN) which you’ll print and take with you to Korea! And finally, once in Korea, you’ll apply for your Alien Residency Card.

**For public school teachers, the process is slightly different. Please consult with your school, recruiter or the Korean consulate for more details.

Step 1: Visa Issuance Number (VIN) Application (Korean Immigration)

Your school requires the documents listed below to apply for your VIN. Your name on all documents must match exactly your name as it appears in your passport! If it does not, consult your school or recruiter for further instruction.

**There are instances where candidates may need to provide additional documents to confirm eligibility for the visa. Your school or recruiter will make you aware and provide information and instruction if that is necessary.

A) Apostilled Criminal Record Check

only valid for 6 months; be mindful when applying for it
must be a federal-level check
must be void of any and all charges (visa applications will be rejected even if charges have been dismissed)

Click here for document examples for other countries!

B) Apostilled & Notarized Photocopy Of Bachelor Degree

4-year degree in any major
Letters of graduation or transcripts are not an acceptable substitute; it must be your actual diploma

Click here for document examples for other countries!

C) Passport Scan

Color photocopy of the 2 pages that include your information, photo, and signature
Valid for at least 6 months to travel internationally; ideally should be valid for 1 or more years

D) Health Statement

Provided by the school or recruiter to be completed by you

E) Two Visa Photos

Color, 3.5cm x 4.5cm photo taken within the last 6 months

F) Completed Visa Certificate of Eligibility Application

Provided by the school or recruiter to be completed by you

G) Signed Contract

Provided by the school to be completed by you

Once all the files have been received, the school will submit the application to Korean Immigration and apply for your VIN. Once you receive your VIN, you’ll apply for your Visa Grant Notice (VGN) at the appropriate Korean Consulate.

Step 2: Visa Grant Notice Application (Korean Consulate)

Once you have your VIN, you’ll apply for your Visa Grant Notice (VGN) at a Korean Consulate. The VGN can only be granted by a Korean Consulate outside of Korea, and you must have it when you enter the country. Below are the files you need to submit and steps you need to take when applying for the VGN.

A) Visa Application Form

Provided by the school or recruiter, or download from the Korean consulate website
Enter your VIN in section 3.1, be sure to accurately complete the file in full

B) One Visa Photo

Taken and dated within the last 6 months
In color and 3.5cm x 4.5cm
Attach it to your visa application (top left-hand corner)

C) Passport

Your original passport OR a notarized photocopy; check the Korean consulate website where you’ll be applying to confirm which is required as it differs for countries and consulates

D) Contract

Signed and dated by your school director and you

E) Additional Documents (Needed by Some Consulates)

For example: transcripts, health forms, school business certificates, visa checklist, TB screening results (South Africa)
If they are required, you’ll need to obtain and submit those to the consulate

F) Visa Fee

Check the Korean consulate website as the fee is different in each country
For mailed applications – only money orders made out to the Consulate General are accepted
For in person applications – cash is preferred

G) Submit Your Application

In person – by appointment only. Schedule it once the school applies for your VIN
By mail – provide a self-addressed postage paid envelope for the consulate to use if your original passport is submitted

H) Track the Status of Your Application On The Visa Portal

Click HERE and enter the information below:

Division = enter your passport number in the blank field provided
English statement = in this order: last name, first name, middle name (exactly as it appears on your passport)
Birth Date = Year/Month/Day

I) Download And Print Visa Grant Notice From Visa Portal

The Korean consulate usually provides a date when your VGN will be ready. In general, most issue the VGN in 1-2 weeks. If you applied in person, you’ll return to pick up your passport. If you mailed in your application and original passport, the consulate will mail it back in the postage paid envelope you provided. Once you have your VGN – you are all set to fly to Korea to start your new adventure!

Step 3: Alien Registration Card Application (In Korea)

After you arrive in Korea you’ll complete the final step for your E-2 visa to be valid – a medical check at a designated clinic. You’ll receive a health certificate that is needed to apply for your ARC. The ARC is your foreign residency identification and shows that you legal reside in Korea. You must apply for your ARC within 90 days of arriving in Korea and once received, you’ll carry it with you at all times. You should apply as soon as possible after you arrive, as an ARC is often required to access services such as banking, healthcare, or to join a gym. The Korean staff at your school will schedule your medical check and provide assistance in applying for your ARC.

Important Tips

Eligibility Requirements: ensure you meet specific eligibility requirements for the visa.

Start Early: start the process early to prevent any potential delays! Organize any additional documents in advance.

Attention To Detail: is VERY important!! Check, double check and triple check that your documents are completed accurately and thoroughly. Korean Immigration and Korean consulates are VERY particular. Any discrepancies can lead to delays or denial of the visa.

Consult Your Recruiter / Sponsor: Your educational institution and recruiter can provide essential guidance and support throughout the process. Don’t hesitate to seek their counsel as they know the visa process very well!

Stay Updated: Check the Korean consulate/embassy website for the latest information. Changes in the application process and requirements may and do happen from time to time…checking before you submit documents and your application ensures everything will be processed in a timely manner.

Make And Keep Copies Of Your Documents: it’s always a good idea to keep copies of all documents you submit as well as your contract and docs provided by the educational institution as none will be returned from Korean Immigration or the Korean Consulate.

While the process for organizing documents and applying for the visa may seem complicated and long – it really isn’t. By following the steps and seeking guidance from your school and recruiter you’ll be sure to manage the entire process smoothly and you’ll be on your way to an amazing overseas adventure before you know it!

Colette Neville, Recruiting Manager

Hailing from Ontario, Canada embarked upon the adventure of a lifetime and taught English in Japan for 5 years after graduating with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology and a Bachelor’s in Education! While overseas she honed her teaching skills, advanced professionally to trainer, area manager, curriculum specialist and enjoyed the many riches of Japanese culture. Her love of travel led her to explore many of Japan’s neighbouring countries, including South Korea! Upon return to Canada, she landed a job with Aclipse recruiting and now enjoys sharing her experiences and guiding candidates through the steps to secure the perfect overseas placement! Upon reflection, she believes her experience teaching abroad was a very meaningful and life changing event….and is certain it will be for others too!

02 Oct

HealthRelocationBy aclipse

Getting Medical Care In Korea

The Korean Medical System

When I first arrived in Korea, I was almost immediately impressed with its medical system. 11 months later, I am really grateful to live in a country with efficient, easily accessible medical care. Here’s a quick guide to your initial medical testing, doctor’s visits, and pharmacies.

Initial Medical Testing

After you arrive in Korea, you’ll need to do initial medical testing to get your Alien Registration Card (ARC). This medical testing is similar to a yearly physical you would get in your home country. You’ll need to go within the first couple of weeks of arriving in Korea, and your school will help set up an appointment for you.

When I went for my medical testing, I was honestly a little shocked at the hospital’s efficiency. I was given a scannable card with my basic information associated with it. Then, I stayed in the waiting room and waited as a screen informed me I could enter each private room to get a different portion of my physical completed. For example, the screen would announce my name, I’d go in and get my eyes tested. Then, the medical personnel would inform me of the room number I needed to visit next, and the process would repeat.

Everything was digitized, so I didn’t have to carry around a bunch of paperwork I didn’t understand. Although everyone I spoke to knew English, I didn’t need to communicate with them extensively because all of my information was on the card the receptionist gave me. The whole process probably took about 30 minutes despite the room being full of other people also getting their medical tests completed.

Of course, depending on the clinic you visit, the circumstances might be a little different, but generally speaking, all of my medical experiences in Korea since the very first one have been efficient and with few communication issues.

Doctor Visits

Universal health care in South Korea is easily one of the biggest perks of living in the country. Once you have your ARC card, you should be able to get any kind of doctor’s appointment you need with little to no costs. When I was sick in December, I was able to walk into a clinic and get a prescription with no problems. Meeting with the doctor and getting the prescription filled took less than an hour and only cost me about 17,000 won in total. I don’t even want to think about how much that same experience would have cost me in the U.S. with or without insurance.

When my boss recommended my coworkers and I all get flu shots ahead of flu season, she was able to quickly point me in the direction of a good clinic that was able to give me the vaccine with very little fuss. In both of these experiences, I was able to speak English with the doctors and nurses.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies in Korea and the U.S. are very similar in my experience. You go in, give them your prescription, and they fill it for you. I’ve never gone in and had to wait more than a few minutes. Over-the-counter items like pain relievers are kept behind glass, so you’ll need to ask. I’ve been able to speak to the pharmacists in English the few times I’ve needed to go in, but when in doubt, Papago (the popular translating app) is your friend.

Overall, the Korean medical system is inexpensive and efficient. Like most things in Korea, there’s a bit of a learning curve, but I hope this quick guide leaves you more confident addressing your medical needs while in Korea!

Diana Richtman, Marketing Assistant

18 Sep

RelocationTravelBy aclipse

Flying From America To Korea

The Big Move!

After months of anticipation, the day finally came for my big move to Seoul. My flight departed Richmond airport at 7am on Thursday, August 8th. The night before, I spent 3 hours with my family figuring out which of my clothes to bring to Korea. That moment was so bittersweet, but here I go: I’m flying to Korea!

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.

TIP: Make sure to check-in for your flight on the airline app BEFORE you are there. You can choose how many bags you’re checking, skip the check-in line by using a kiosk, and select what seat you want. It will make your life so much easier!

The Layover

I arrived at the Atlanta airport around 9am and my layover was only an hour. Not only was my flight to Incheon across the airport (Atlanta is HUGE), my flight from Richmond landed 20 minutes late! Needless to say, I sprinted through the airport and hopped on the plane train as soon as I could.

I made my flight with 15 minutes to spare. This was my first long haul flight and I made sure to pack my personal item bag with all of my essentials (toothbrush, blanket, pillow, eye mask, headphones, etc.)

TIP: Make sure to have easy access to a map of the airport where your layover is to reduce stress! Flights are delayed all the time, and the second leg of your flight is not going to wait for you.

The Main Flight

Our flight finally took off at 10am and within the first hour we received our first meal. I chose the spicy pork rice bowl and it tasted delicious! Unfortunately that was our only full meal on the 14-hour flight. Our other meals consisted of different types of pastries and yogurt. Check out all of the food I ate on my flight here!

The rest of my flight consisted of watching my current hyper-fixation show (“From Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke“) and sleeping A LOT.

TIP: Make sure to DOWNLOAD whatever entertainment you wish to watch on your device. Most international flights you need to pay for wifi, and the wifi will not last the whole flight. I downloaded 2 whole seasons of my show and had a couple episodes to spare.

Arrival

I landed at Incheon airport around 3pm the following day. The first thing that you will do once deboarding the plane is go through Korean customs. We were all given an arrival card to fill out. There are English instructions on the back of the card. Make sure to fill this card out BEFORE you enter the customs line.

Once I filled out my card I entered the customs line with my visa and passport in hand. From there it’s pretty simple: the worker calls you, you give your fingerprints, they sticker your passport, and then you are done!

Baggage claim is also very straightforward. There will be screens telling you which flight’s luggage is at each baggage claim. When in doubt, look for the other people from your flight and where they are standing.

Once I grabbed my luggage, I went straight to the currency exchange counter to exchange my American cash for Korean won.

TIP: BRING CASH! It is so much easier to exchange physical currency at the airport instead of trying to find an ATM.

After getting my cash, I used my “Klook” app to activate the eSIM that I purchased before my flight. Once I received my Korean number, I was able to create a Kakao Taxi account and call a taxi to my hotel. The airport will also have taxi services, but make sure to not get in a black taxi. They are super expensive!

The ride to my hotel was a little over an hour. Once I arrived, I immediately showered, unpacked my bags, and breathed a sigh of relief. I’m finally in Korea!

Gabe White, Marketing Assistant

30 Aug

LifestyleRelocationBy aclipse

GOTO Mall – The Largest Underground Shopping Mall In Seoul

In Search Of Cheap Finds

I’m currently on a mission to decorate my new apartment. While there are plenty of home decor stores like Muji and Homeplus, I’m trying to find items on the cheaper end. Living in Gangnam-gu can be expensive, so I am trying to pinch pennies wherever I can. When I asked my friend where other good, cheap shopping areas were, the first place she mentioned was GOTO Mall. I knew that Korea had underground shopping malls, but I had never heard of GOTO Mall before. If you’re heading to Korea to teach English, you will want to check this out if you can!

Location

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.

Cash Is King

Before you go to GOTO Mall, be prepared with cash (Korean Won obviously) and proper walking shoes. Most of the vendors will only accept cash. This underground mall is HUGE and you will be walking around for a couple hours. On top of that, this mall can become really crowded.

TIP: I would recommend going on a week-day and during working hours. There won’t be as many people and you can move around much more freely.

Thrifting Vibes

While I was shopping, it felt like I was thrifting back in the States. Having to dig around and search for what you are looking for is both annoying and rewarding at the same time. In comparison to the prices of other stores in Seoul, GOTO Mall is a steal! I found so many different polos, jeans, t-shirts, and shorts for under 10,000 won ($7.50)!

No Brand

If you haven’t yet had enough, there are even stores right outside of GOTO Mall (inside the metro stations, underground). After searching for a couple hours, I couldn’t find a comforter that I wanted. I did however find a vacuum and wooden bowl from a grocery store right next to GOTO Mall called No Brand.

Overall, I would say to definitely check GOTO Mall before you head to any major stores. You might be surprised at how many affordable and unique items you can find there! Also, check out our blog post on how to find affordable furniture!

Gabe White, Marketing Assistant

21 Jul

CareerRelocationBy aclipse

Teaching English With Aclipse: Hiring Process

The Dreaded Job Hunt

The job market is a grueling place. I had been job hunting for 3 months until one day, I found a job posting on Indeed about teaching English in Korea. The company was called “Aclipse” and I was immediately intrigued by the post. While teaching was one of my original career goals in high school and college, I began to give up on that dream once I joined the workforce. Stability in corporate America started to sound much more appealing than uprooting my life to South Korea to teach English.

I applied anyway even though I had some hesitations. Within a couple of days, I received an email to schedule an interview with an Aclipse recruiter. The email detailed how to schedule the call and some of the benefits that Aclipse provides to teach English in Korea. As I mentioned before, I had been job searching for quite some time. Coming off of month-long waiting periods with no responses from other companies, I was pleasantly surprised by the swift response that Aclipse provided.

Interview & Mock Lesson

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.

Aside from being a place for you to ask questions, the interview is also a place where the Aclipse recruiter can see if this role will be a great fit for you. Nico did this by conducting a mock English lesson. Although I had previous experience working with non-English speakers in university, I was still nervous to act out a scenario on-the-spot. The scene was set, I was given time to collect my thoughts, and we began our English teaching lesson scenario.

Doing the mock lesson was a little awkward at first, but went super well! It gave me a sense of how lesson structures are formulated, and it gave the recruiter a sense of how I would be as an instructor. Once we were done with the mock lesson, Nico gave me the green light that I had passed the interview!

Shortly after my screening call, I received an email regarding the next steps for the hiring process to begin teaching English in Korea.

These steps included: creating an introduction video, filling out important documents, requesting a school placement, and filing instructions for receiving a visa.
- These important documents included: FBI fingerprint background checks, signed health statement forms, and scanned files of legal documents.

This process seemed a bit daunting at first, but Nico helped me every step of the way. By sending me tutorials and examples of each required piece, I was able to complete all of these requirements by the end of that week.

I received my school placement, employment contract, and saw the Embassy of South Korea all within a month of completing the steps listed above. This all happened in the blink of an eye!

There are many small details that can be overlooked throughout this process. My best piece of advice would be to NOT procrastinate on submitting what is required and consistently messaging your recruiter with updates, even if they seem small.

I have officially signed my contract and am set to move in August 2024 to begin teaching English. Aclipse has helped me every step of the way and turned an extensive process into a smooth operation.

Gabe White, English Teacher at Creverse

Gabriel (Gabe) White is a soon to be English teacher in South Korea. He is a Korean, Puerto Rican-American from the Richmond, Virginia area and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University. Being involved in student organizations like Filipino Americans Coming Together at VCU (FACT@VCU) and VCU Globe during his college years, Gabe learned just how much he enjoys experiencing new cultures. In his free time, Gabe loves teaching local dance classes, spending quality time with his loved ones, exploring new cities, and watching nostalgic movies.

04 Jul

CultureRelocationBy aclipse

Navigating Cultural Differences In Korea

Moving to a new country is always a mix of excitement and uncertainty. When I moved to Korea, I was eager to start my job as an English teacher and learn all about the beautiful culture. In my first few weeks, I quickly realized that understanding the nuances of Korean etiquette was going to be an important part of adapting and making the most of my new life. With an open mind and a little bit of key knowledge, you can navigate these cultural differences and fully enjoy your time in Korea.

Showing Respect

One aspect of Korean culture that I knew about from all the dramas I watched was the emphasis on respect and cultural hierarchies. In Korea, two different forms of the language are used depending on if you are speaking to someone older or younger. Polite language, (존댓말, jondaetmal) must be used when speaking to strangers and elders as a way to show respect. In addition, it’s customary to bow when you greet someone older and the depth of your bow should reflect the other person’s age and status compared to your own. These small nuances can go a long way in showing your respect and appreciation of Korean culture and will help you integrate into daily life. I have adapted so much to bowing that I can’t stop myself from bowing even when I travel back home to Canada which is a cute new quirk of my international life!

Dining Etiquette

Another way to show respect in Korea is at the dinner table. When eating with others, it’s polite to wait for the oldest person at the table to start eating before you do. If you’re offered food or drink, it’s best to accept it with both hands as a sign of respect. When pouring drinks for others, you should use two hands and pour for the eldest first, then serve the others. Everyone should wait until the eldest takes their drink and it is customary to turn your body away from the eldest while you drink as another way of showing respect.

Social Nuances

One part of the culture that surprised me at first was the different attitude towards personal space. Seoul is a mega city with millions of people so it’s not uncommon to find yourself in very close quarters with others in public transportation or markets. People can be pushy in these situations and seem to ignore your personal space but it is not a rude gesture, just a part of daily life here.

Another big difference I have noticed between Canada and Korea is the compliment culture. Back home, if someone told me that my haircut looked pretty, I would probably respond with “Thanks!” Koreans value modesty, so when receiving a compliment, it’s more likely that someone would try to avoid bragging and reject the compliment in order to show humility.

Embrace the Experience

Living in a new culture has its own challenges, but I have found that adapting to Korean culture is really rewarding. All of my Korean friends and coworkers are patient and understanding and have gone above and beyond trying to include me in their customs and to teach me the nuances of the culture. As you start your time teaching and living in Korea, don’t be shy to ask questions and to embrace the differences of Korean customs and etiquette. Not only will this help you integrate smoothly, but it will make your experience more meaningful!

English teacher, Michelle Duquette at Chungdahm Learning

Michelle Duquette, Marketing Assistant

Michelle Duquette is from Toronto, Canada and moved to South Korea in 2015. She has a Bachelors in English literature and a Masters in ESL Education. Michelle has taught at Creverse campuses in Gangneung, Songpa, and Mokdong and currently works as a CDI and April Trainer. Michelle never set out to be a teacher but fell in love with Korean culture and the excitement of being in the classroom. Michelle lives in Seoul with her partner and two cats, Cherry and Frost.

Relocation

Category: Relocation

Missing Friends And Family

Cultural Differences

Classroom Management

Travel Requirements

Flight Logistics

Apartments

Get Your Alien Registration Card (ARC)

Download The Coupang App

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1. Public Transportation

2. Proximity

3. Stranger Danger

4. Finances

5. Doctors

A Great Transition

What Is An E-2 Visa?

The Main Steps

Step 1: Visa Issuance Number (VIN) Application (Korean Immigration)

Step 2: Visa Grant Notice Application (Korean Consulate)

Step 3: Alien Registration Card Application (In Korea)

Important Tips

The Korean Medical System

Initial Medical Testing

Doctor Visits

Pharmacies

The Big Move!

The Layover

The Main Flight

Arrival

In Search Of Cheap Finds

Location

Cash Is King

Thrifting Vibes

No Brand

The Dreaded Job Hunt

Interview & Mock Lesson

Showing Respect

Dining Etiquette

Social Nuances

Embrace the Experience

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