4 Unexpected Perks Of Teaching In Korea
When I moved to Korea to teach English back in 2015, I was expecting delicious food, the chance to travel, and lots of new experiences—but some of the best parts of life here totally took me by surprise. Beyond the classroom and the cultural bucket list, Korea has a way of sneaking in little moments of joy and kindness that I never could have planned for and are ultimately why I have decided to stay here for so long. Here are four of the unexpected perks I’ve discovered while living and working in Korea.
#1 Acts of Kindness From Strangers
One of the first things that struck me in Korea was how helpful people could be—especially to someone clearly a bit lost (me, most of the time). I can’t count how many times I’ve pulled out my phone to check Naver maps, only for someone to come over and offer directions in basic English. I also find myself asking if the train or bus I’m getting on is heading where I need to go and people are always there to answer questions with kindness. Once, a barista saw me struggling to order a pastry and just handed me an extra one. She said “service!” with a big smile. (“Service” is a common phrase Koreans typically use when giving a free good or service to a customer to exhibit good customer service. Another unexpected perk!) It’s those small, everyday acts of kindness that have really made me feel welcome here, especially in a big city like Seoul.
#2 Efficient and Affordable Transportation
The subway system in Seoul honestly puts most other cities to shame. It is clean, fast, and cheap, and even has free wifi! The Seoul metro makes commuting to work and weekend adventures so easy. I even love that you can use the same transit card all over the country for trains, buses, and even taxis—seriously convenient. The transportation system has given me a new freedom that I never had in Canada and I feel so grateful that I get to live in a place like Seoul that prioritizes public transport. I read a lot about the subway system and efficient transportation, but just how much it effects my daily life is another one of these unexpected perks. Check out this great post from Gabe about taking the subway in Korea!
#3 Culinary Adventures
While I knew Korean food would be delicious, I didn’t expect every single meal to become an event. From sizzling Korean BBQ nights with coworkers to comforting kimchi pancakes and rice wine during the rainy season, food here is more than fuel—it’s a way to connect. My personal favorite is all of the yummy street food like ddeokbokki and fried twiggum that are super cheap and everywhere you turn. Everyone stands in the stalls together, shoulder to shoulder enjoying the warm broth and deep fried treats. Eating is such a communal experience, and I love how even casual meals turn into bonding time. I’ve tried so many new things just because someone handed me a bite and said, “Try this!” This is an unexpected perk that needs to be balanced with exercise!
#4 Opportunities for Personal Growth
Teaching in Korea has helped me grow in the best possible ways. Between managing classes, learning about a new culture, and navigating daily life in another language, I’ve become so much more independent and confident than when I was at home in Canada. I never expected this job to help me become such a resilient person, but here I am, handling curveballs and learning new things even all these years later. This is probably my top perk of teaching in Korea because it’s something that no one can take from you! Here’s ANOTHER great blog post from another teacher in Korea about this very topic!
Living in Korea has been about so much more than just teaching English. It’s about discovering beauty in the small things—like that extra pastry, the kindness of a stranger, or the quiet pride that comes from figuring things out on your own. If you’re thinking about teaching here, know that the unexpected perks are often the most rewarding.
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.