What It’s Like Living In Korea
Whether You Drink or Not, There’s A Place For You
It’s no secret that Koreans love to drink. If that’s your thing, you’ll love Korea’s nightlife. If partying hard isn’t for you, but you enjoy the occasional glass of wine or beer, there’s definitely plenty of opportunities for that while living in Korea.
However, if you’re not into drinking, don’t worry. My sister, who doesn’t drink, loved Korea when she visited me because of Korean cafes, which always have a great selection of non-alcoholic drinks and pastries, even late at night! I’ve found myself in all three camps: Wanting to experience Korean nightlife to the max, wanting a chill night of drinking, and wanting to lay off alcohol. Whether you’re into drinking or not, I promise there’s something for you in Korea, and it might just be better than your options in your home country!
Fitness Is Built Into Your Lifestyle
Living in Korea pretty much guarantees an active lifestyle. Odds are if you’re living in Korea, you’ll be living in one of their cities, and that means plenty of opportunities to walk and explore! On the weekends, there’s plenty of time to go hiking because Korea is very mountainous. If you’re still looking for more physical activity, there’s no shortage of gyms and fitness groups you can join.
Convenience
I could write sonnets and entire soliloquies about this topic, but here are three main reasons why Korea is so convenient: First, online platforms like Coupang make it possible to order just about anything to your doorstep, including groceries! The country’s infrastructure means that you’re always a short distance from a bus stop or subway station, and the taxi apps are user-friendly. Have friends in another city in Korea? Easy. You can visit them every weekend if you want for cheap by using the country’s railway system. But it’s not just travel within the country that is convenient while living in Korea. International travel to and from Korea is easy and often super affordable, even on a teacher’s salary!
Independence
One of the best parts of living in South Korea is the total independence you have. Given how convenient the country is for daily life and the cost of living for a teacher, this sense of independence is empowering far more often than it is overwhelming. Living in Korea has given me a sense of ease with myself and what I’m capable of as a person, which includes living by myself, saving for the future, and traveling the world. I really believe everyone should get the chance to develop this kind of faith in themselves, and Korea is the perfect place to do it!
Rich Culture Meets the Modern World
Korea has a very specific and rich culture, and it honestly feels like a dream to get to experience it firsthand. I’ve loved getting to try new foods and drinks like kimchi jjigae and makgeolli. I’ve learned so much about Korean fashion, music, customs, and the language from my time in Korea, but the second half of this awesome culture is how modernized it is. Not only does Korea have thousands of years worth of culture and history, but it’s also extremely technologically advanced. This merging of history and the modern world is an experience like no other.
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.