The ideal place for me is the one in which it is most natural to live as a foreigner.
- Italo Calvino
- Italo Calvino
View of Seoul from N Seoul Tower
With the popularity of the song "Oppa Gangnam Style", South Korea was put into spotlight overnight. All of a sudden, everybody is interested to know how South Korea truly is. As you all know, we have been living abroad for the past 10 years and is currently living in South Korea. For us, the best part of living in a foreign country is you get to know the country for what it truly is. You get acquainted with the locals, their way of life and their traditions and eat local cuisines. For us, the most exciting part of living abroad is the endless surprise of "learning something new" and you get to immerse yourself in the unknown.
We love living here and that is why we asked other expats like us (lived and is currently living here) the reasons why they love South Korea.
We love living here and that is why we asked other expats like us (lived and is currently living here) the reasons why they love South Korea.
The DMZ or the Demilitarized Zone running along the 38th parallel that divides North and South Korea.
Photo Credit: Danielle Segui Photography
Photo Credit: Danielle Segui Photography
BECAUSE IT'S SAFE HERE
By: Tangerine, A Travelogue by Brock and Tanj
This is the most common misconception of people when they found out that we are going to live in South Korea. South Korea is number 4 on the list of top 10 of the world's safest countries. Mind you, the United States is ranked number 88 based on crime rate variable. Yes, even if, North Korea is just around the corner. I feel very safe going around the city and outlying areas with my husband or by myself. One reason may be the fact that everywhere is monitored by CCTV. I never feel that I am going to be pick pocketed crowded or worse. As a matter of fact, a stranger tapped my back when my money accidentally fell to the floor and didn't noticed it. You may call that lucky but I am thankful Koreans are honest and respectful.
BECAUSE IT'S SO BIZARRE THAT YOU NEVER GET BORED
By: Katrina, The Two Week Traveler
There's a lot you can say about Korea, but one thing you can never say is that it's boring. There is endless possibilities of indoor and outdoor activities you can experience - from hiking in the city or outside, camping, laying at the beach, going to amusement parks, outdoor swimming, skiing, and the list goes on. One thing for sure, you will never get bored with your free time.
As an English teacher, no two days were the same, which was nice because right when you would get bored teaching a lesson, you'd be on to the next one and never look back. Outside of school, everyday you would encounter something interesting or weird. I got a pedicure where fish nibbled the dead skin on my feet; I had coffee at a cat café several times; I used to eat at a Chinese restaurant that had a pet monkey named Richard by the front door; I went to a children's amusement park that played LMFAO's "Shots" full blast on one of the rides-unedited! I often passed by a store that sold nothing but umbrellas, including umbrella hats for those who can't be bothered to hold their umbrella. You can go drinking and sing in private karaoke rooms with your friends, or for a more intimate night out, go to a DVD room and lounge around in your own private movie theater on a bed. I loved that you could sit down at a makgeolli (native beverage) restaurant and share a kettle of rice wine with old Korean men who you couldn't converse with but were glad to raise their glasses with you. Korea gives you the opportunity to experience so many unique and weird things that you would never find anywhere else!
As an English teacher, no two days were the same, which was nice because right when you would get bored teaching a lesson, you'd be on to the next one and never look back. Outside of school, everyday you would encounter something interesting or weird. I got a pedicure where fish nibbled the dead skin on my feet; I had coffee at a cat café several times; I used to eat at a Chinese restaurant that had a pet monkey named Richard by the front door; I went to a children's amusement park that played LMFAO's "Shots" full blast on one of the rides-unedited! I often passed by a store that sold nothing but umbrellas, including umbrella hats for those who can't be bothered to hold their umbrella. You can go drinking and sing in private karaoke rooms with your friends, or for a more intimate night out, go to a DVD room and lounge around in your own private movie theater on a bed. I loved that you could sit down at a makgeolli (native beverage) restaurant and share a kettle of rice wine with old Korean men who you couldn't converse with but were glad to raise their glasses with you. Korea gives you the opportunity to experience so many unique and weird things that you would never find anywhere else!
About Katrina: Katrina lived in South Korea for a year teaching English to elementary school students. She is also the author of The ESL's Teacher's Guide to South Korea. While living in South Korea, she has stepped foot into North Korea at the most heavily fortified border in the world.
You can also find The Two Week Traveler here:
You can also find The Two Week Traveler here:
BECAUSE THE FOOD IS AMAZING
By: Chanel, Cultural Xplorer
Prior to visiting South Korea, I had only eaten Korean food about one or two times. Living in South Korea for two years and working in a Korean public school, I ate Korean food every day and became slightly addicted to it. Now living back in the United States, I am constantly craving my favorite Korean dishes such as Tuna Kimbap, Bulgogi, and Barbecued Beef. Korean food has a very distinct flavor as compared to other Asian flavors. Korean food relies heavily on fermented bean paste and fermented chilli paste.
About Chanel: She lived in South Korea from 2010-2012 as a public school teacher. As a part of the EPIK program, Chanel lived in the city of Cheongju in the Chungcheongbuk-do province, where she taught elementary and middle school students as well as Korean English teachers. In addition to teaching, Chanel wrote about her experiences in Korea on the blog Coco in Korea, she served as a Regional Moderator for the Regional Professional Development Program in Cheongju, lectured at the August 2012 EPIK Orientation in Jeonju, and was featured in EPIK's School Culture Episode about the Challenges of Working in Korean Schools.
You can also find Cultural Xplorer here:
You can also find Cultural Xplorer here:
Photo Credit: Expat Love Connections
BECAUSE OF THE VARIETY THAT CAN BE FOUND HERE
By: Jesse and Lauren, Expat Love Connections
Say whatever you want, but South Korea has all sorts of international conveniences, music, food and cultural events. Koreans are curious about different customs, traditions and cuisines, making life more comfortable for expats. What’s not to love about that? When Jesse first arrived, he became hooked. He has always loved to go out and have a good time. He especially enjoys Korea’s drinking culture in which the locals work hard, and will keep you celebrating all night long.
About Jesse and Lauren: Jesse and Lauren are both American; originally from Maryland and Delaware, respectively. They made the same decision at different times - where they dropped their corporate lifestyles to start something new. They eventually found each other teaching young learners in South Korea.
You can also find Expat Love Connections here:
You can also find Expat Love Connections here:
BECAUSE IT'S QUITE SIMILAR TO THE WESTERN WORLD
By: Chris, One Weird Globe
For many expats, this is their first real stop, either their first travels away from home or their first time living in a different country. It's first-world, similar to the Western world in many ways, and the country has a lot to offer whatever you're into. The country has a very metropolitan feel. South Korea has clean tap water, exceptional public transport and offers a lot of cultural. indoor, outdoor or any activity that tickles your fancy. In South Korea, they have civilized laws and are mostly followed.
About Chris: Chris Backe is the blogger behind One Weird Globe, a travel blog that focuses on the weird and offbeat destinations around the world. He taught English in South Korea and has lived in Asia for 7 years. He is currently traveling through Northern Africa and Europe. He's written about 20 books and itineraries, and recently published a guidebook about offbeat Thailand in April 2015.
You can also find One Weird Globe here:
You can also find One Weird Globe here:
BECAUSE THE SOCIAL ETIQUETTE OF KOREA FOSTERS BETTER RELATIONSHIPS
By: Natasha, Artist Explores the World
While Korea is one of the leading countries in new technology, most Koreans are still very traditional when it comes to social etiquette. Koreans are typically very respectful, even to foreigners, especially if you show them basic respect. I’ve had Koreans strike up conversations with me on the subway, in parks and at restaurants. They genuinely wanted to welcome me to their country. They are not only respectful, they also value good relationships, and while you’re here that can influence you in a good way. Even something as simple as handing over money at the store is done respectfully with two hands. Gift giving is also an important aspect of Korean culture and building relationships. When you’re invited to a friend’s home it is customary to bring a gift. My favorite aspect of Korean relationships is found around the dinner table. If you go out to eat, you’ll notice most people share food. Servings are based per table, and everyone picks and chooses what they want from all the dishes. It’s a wonderful way to get a unique meal and to share the experience, and flavors, with others. Another proper and respectful tradition around the dinner table is for the youngest person to pour the water. That is just one example of how friends, coworkers and family respect each other in their everyday lives. It reminds you to be a respectful person and to foster better relationships with the people around you.
About Natasha: Natasha Raymond is a twenty-something traveling artist who blogs and creates artworks based on the things she sees and does while traveling. Currently, she is working on expanding her blog and creating an illustrated travelogue that she hopes to get published in the future.She has been calling South Korea a vacation home in between trips so that she can visit her husband who lives there.
You can also find Artis Explores the World here:
You can also find Artis Explores the World here:
BECAUSE IT'S RICH IN HISTORY AND CULTURE
By: Danielle, Danielle Segui
About Danielle: She is a 26 year old travel addict, currently living in South Korea. Her husband works for the US military while she enjoys being a local English teacher in South Korea. She is a also a lifestyle portrait photographer serving the Osan and Pyeongtaek area.
You can also find Danielle Segui here:
You can also find Danielle Segui here:
One of my favorite things about living in South Korea is that it's rich in it's culture, traditions and history! You could go exploring every weekend but still see and learn something new every time. One of my favorite historical outings was to the DMZ, the border between North and South Korea. It’s rare to experience such an important piece of history as it’s actually happening. North Korea is arguably the most oppressed country in the world and to see it in person, along with a dozen North Korean soldiers, is an eye opening experience. South Korea is also littered with religious temples and palaces, all of which encompass their own unique beauty and history. Some Buddhist temples even offer a “Temple Stay”, where you participate in their every day practices, wear traditional Buddhist garments, eat a traditional Buddhist dinner, and stay overnight in the Temple. You can almost always find a big celebration or festival happening around the country too! In the springtime Korea is overflowing with flower festivals, my favorite being the Cherry Blossom festivals! I just attended the Lotus Lantern Festival, which is a big celebration honoring Buddha’s birth. Speaking of birthdays, did you know that in Korean culture the day you are born you are already considered one year old? Fascinating!
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