08 Sep
It’s hard to believe that it has already been just over three months since I arrived in South Korea. So far, my experience has been incredibly enjoyable. Moving to a new country and starting a new job was a unique experience, and there was definitely a lot to learn at first. However, settling into life in Korea was much easier than I initially expected.
One of my biggest concerns before coming to Korea was what it would be like to work as a teacher. I had no previous teaching experience before applying, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first stepped into the classroom.
Adjusting to Teaching in South Korea
The first week involved a lot of learning and new experiences. There were new procedures to understand, lessons to prepare, and plenty of things to get used to. Once I was actually in the classroom and started teaching, however, everything gradually became easier.
There were certainly times when I was unsure about what to do, but my coworkers were always willing to answer my questions and offer advice. Having supportive coworkers made a huge difference when I was settling into my new job and adapting to life in South Korea.
I also still keep in touch with the people I completed training with. Being able to catch up, share our experiences, and talk about what we have been through has been a great way to stay connected. Starting a new job in another country can feel overwhelming at times, so having people who are going through a similar experience has been really helpful.
What I Enjoy About Teaching
The teaching itself has been one of the most enjoyable parts of my experience.
The students are great to work with, and interacting with them and getting to know their personalities is an important part of the job. Every class is a little different, and building relationships with students has made the experience much more rewarding.
One of the most satisfying parts of teaching is seeing students progress through the different levels. Watching their English improve and knowing that I have played a small part in that progress makes the work feel worthwhile.
Although I started the job without any previous teaching experience, I have become much more comfortable in the classroom over the past few months. The more I teach, the more confident I feel.
Setting Up Life in Korea
Outside of work, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to set up many of the essentials I needed to live in South Korea.
Getting a mobile phone number, setting up internet service, and opening a bank account were all much easier than I expected, especially considering that I did not speak Korean.
The staff at these locations were friendly and helpful. Even when there was a language barrier, communication was usually possible with the help of translation apps. Papago has been particularly useful for me and has made many everyday situations much easier.
Whenever I was unsure about what to do, I could also ask coworkers who spoke English for help. Some were even kind enough to come with me when I needed to set up an account or take care of something important.
Having that support made the process of settling into Korea much less stressful.
Making Friends and Exploring Seoul
Another great part of living in South Korea has been meeting new people.
There are many opportunities for language exchanges, which have made it relatively easy to meet local people and make new friends. These conversations have given me opportunities to learn more about Korean culture, discover interesting places, and get recommendations for things to do around the city.
I have also had many opportunities to explore Seoul.
During my first two months, I spent quite a bit of time hiking and exploring sections of the Seoul Trail. It has been a great way to see parts of the city that I probably would not have visited otherwise.
One of my favourite things about Seoul is the combination of urban and natural scenery. Coming from somewhere where the environment is quite different, it has been interesting to experience how easily you can go from a busy city environment to a mountain trail or a quiet natural area.
Hiking has given me a completely different perspective on Seoul and has been one of my favourite ways to explore the city.
Three Months Later: Would I Recommend Teaching in Korea?
These past few months have gone by incredibly quickly, and I am looking forward to the rest of the time I will spend in South Korea.
The workload has been manageable, and I have had enough free time to enjoy life outside of work, explore Seoul, meet new people, and take part in activities that interest me. Finding a good balance between work and personal time has made the experience even more enjoyable.
Looking back, many of the things I was worried about before coming to Korea turned out to be much easier than I expected. Starting a new career in another country can seem intimidating, especially without previous teaching experience, but having supportive coworkers and a good work environment made the transition much smoother.
Overall, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to live and work in South Korea. I have learned a lot over the past three months, both as a teacher and through experiencing life in a completely different country.
If you are considering teaching English in South Korea, I would definitely recommend giving it a try. It has been an experience that I am very glad I decided to pursue, and I am excited to see what the rest of my time in Korea brings.
Isaac Yeung, Instructor (CDI Junggye Branch)
Isaac Yeung is from the United Kingdom and is currently living in South Korea. He holds a Counselling Psychology Bachelor degree and, since graduating, is now currently working for CDI. When not working, Isaac enjoys going on hikes and exploring Korea.