How's life in Korea as an expat? I am planning to move to Korea...

I really love living here so far. Koreans are some of the friendliest people around I think and love the fact that even if you don't speak the language they are sooo willing to help you with everything.

I think its a great idea that you are coming out here. You will like it. Life is not that difficult I dont think at least here.

Well, I'm European and I've been in Seoul for 3 weeks now.
And loved every minute of it.

Not many Koreans speak English; even if they can, they're too shy to actually speak to foreigners. But it's true, they are really friendly and willing to help.

Concerning the culture, respect and duty are the keywords here.I don't think it will be that difficult to adapt to that. Otherwise, Spicy food, beautiful sceneries. Until April it's going to be quite cold, but I've heard the summer is hot.

I haven't been here for too long, but if I can help you any other way, feel free to ask.

Most people love it at first until the novelty wears off, and then it either becomes a love hate, or hate and leave relationship. 

I love it 90% of the time (not a bad percentage). It's all about doing what you love when you get here. Don't let yourself fall into the daily grind. Those people rarely last. I'm on my 3rd year, and I like it enough to stay a little longer. There's plenty to do, and it's a great learning / growing experience. 

Take time to learn the language. The majority of people are super cool and friendly but there is still a large portion of the population that is very xenophobic and racist. Just ignore them, it's the same in most countries.

The average person is VERY nationalistic, it's almost strange how much so.  Be sure to complement the culture, and country a lot, and it will go far. The nationalism is great source of entertainment among the foreign community. Look up the website Korea is best..

As one other poster put it, there is a culture of respect, but it's mostly surface deep; built into the language and simple actions. I don't feel that it's actually that respectful, in fact I feel like people are little more rude here (Seoul, not the countryside) than many places. Once people finally get to know you then there can be some genuine respect, but generally not towards strangers. As a foreigner, you may get a few friendly English speakers approach you from time to time, which is nice in a place where strangers generally don't care about each other.  I've seen huge groups of people stand and watch after someone get's hurt falling down stairs, wrecking a bike, ect.. the good news is that you're more likely to have someone come help you.

Don't forget to take LOTS of weekend trips here. There's a lot more to Korea than just Seoul (or whatever city you end up in).

hey,
just as izmirian i am consider moving to south korea for a bit. are there expats living in cities all over the country or mainly just Busan and Seoul?

Thanks,

Dennis

Hi there,
I live in Ulsan which is about 80km east of Busan. There's about 30,000 expats here. Many are teachers like myself. Ulsan is home to Hyundai cars and ship building along with many other industry. These companies also employ many expats.
Ulsan is a city of about 1.2 million, has a nice downtown area and there's plenty to do along with an active expat community. So you're never far way from an english speaker.

I've been here 8 months and like it about 80-90% of the time. If you have an open mind and expect things to be totally different to what you're used to then you'll probably do just fine.

The Koreans overall have been very nice to me and more importantly very helpful. Naturally there's been some language difficulties but it's taught me to keep my cool and has turned me into a better person for it.

Will be around for some years yet, if you need anything please feel free to contact.

Regards

Since Turkish and Korean are in the same language family, you've got an advantage picking up the language.

I liked my first year there since I was working at a good university. Then we got a new department director and I really couldn't stand the aggravations that I could overlook my first year. The power plays at work were disgraceful and harmed the Korean teachers more than the foreigners mainly because we stood up for our rights and banded to help the people the director tried to wrongfully fire. I did stay because I had some good friends and really liked my students.

However, as time wore on, we kept getting treated badly at work and I got disgusted when I learned English teachers were paid half what German or French teachers got.

I liked living in China and Japan better. In those jobs the conditions were more fair and high quality. The apartments my schools in China and Japan gave me were ten times nicer than Korea, where I had to paint my own room and do so much work just to get it clean.

I agree in part with smkelly's response regarding accomodation and apartments. I have had two apartments since arriving in Korea. The first which was really lavish in trendy part of town. I had to give it up as I was offered a new position in a new branch of the school. My second place is an old shop converted into a living space. Whilst its big it has a squat toilet which is sufficient but not really to my liking. Overall it's a little inadequate but then the area is nice. I am close to the beach and the community here is smaller. There's only one other foreigner in my area and thats ok. I guess it depends on whether you want a good apartment or a good lifestyle. I choose the latter so consider it a place to sleep really. I do however have the best bed I have slept on in Korea including hotels, guess thats something.
I have visited other apartments of expats and most are small bachelor flat types being described as 'cosy' as they are very small and compact. Mine is huge by comparison.

Just so you know, the average Korean with a college degree lives in a nice apartment -- maybe with parents if s/he isn't married, but the poor housing is not what Koreans have. I think with these jobs if you're in a poor country, I wouldn't expect to live in a place that's nicer than my local colleagues, but I shouldn't live in a worse place.

You can ask for photos of the apartment you'll get. Also ask if your employer will provide the huge deposit money landlords require of new tenants. My first school gave these (and then when you quit got the money back). That way if you hate the apartment, they provide, you have options. You don't have to put $10,000 USD down as a deposit.

Hi all ! anneong-asseo ! :)korea is a taste country as i see in Korean drama's and Movies , and they have a very nice culture ...and what i like most is the greeting and the Korean people are Nice and friendly i think :' But the life in korea is cheap ?? and what kind of job there is  ?? and there is many question :p

Is it very difficult to move from japan to korea? I will be "language school hopping" so to speak from Fukuoka to Seoul, and I was wondering if it was hard to go from a Japanese student visa to a Korean one. Also, is it hard to get a job teaching English to Korean students? Is the language very difficult to learn? i heard it is easier than Japanese.so many questions...sorry about that. ^^

Hi Miiya and welcome to Expat.com!

You should start a new thread on the forum.

Thank you,
Harmonie.

Life is awesome there! God, I wish I was still there. As an expat you really need to stay on top of your employer to make sure that you're getting paid on time and that all housing problems are taken care. Koreans are extremely friendly and willing to share themselves with you.

I see. Do you have a problem with employers if you work at a public school? I know some people say they have issues with teaching at hagwons...But i think i want to teach at either one. I can't wait to go! I'm going to college for my second degree, and I think I'll be able to use it. I believe you need to have a Bachelor's Degree to teach? I think it's going to be an interesting experience, partly because I'm black. ^^

Korea and Koreans. If you have an adventurous spirit, the culture is amazing- truly the old merges into the modern in many aspects of their lives. 

People: a main difference is that most Japanese people can be reserve yet polite to strangers. Koreans are often frank, highly patriotic, frequently honest and less diplomatic than Japanese neighbors. I find it tougher to be close friends with Koreans until they trust you.  Then they accept you into the warm cohesive band/clan.  The relationship loyalty bond between senior-juniors mentor-mentee network extends to family and friends- and elastic. Like Japanese, Koreans are not shy but “save face” honor and dignity- are prized in its tradition.

Also, like many Japanese, most Koreans are workaholics.  A difference is Koreans can be loud entertainers. After the 5th cycle –or 60- elderly women groups will sing and dance especially drunk.  Elders are very active in Korea- a legacy I admire-their tenacity.  Keep a close eye on your drinks. The soju is cheap- but highly potent.  There is a good reason that drinks are served with full meal more substantial than snacks.

Shopping: kawaii items are growing in popularity in Korea but mainly, household items especially, are practical even sold by street vendors.  Plus, Koreans love bargains from grocery to large items and unlike Tokyo, prices are frequently not visible. Prices vary depending where you are in Korea.  Visitors will enjoy Namdaemum or Itaewon.

My favorite haunt is Dong Dae mum wholesaler market where retailers pile around midnight to dawn –opening hours.  The small cubicle owners will sell you smaller quantities-a bargain galore – recommend that you accompany a native speaker and bring lots of won for purchases and breakfasts supplied by quick vendors diving in and out the lanes.   

Rent: Unlike Tokyo where you pay rent plus deposits-clean, repairs, key changes- not refundable in most events, some Korean landlords prefer the one time deposit rental system.  They will require a deposit- almost the full rental duration but no monthly rent.  It helps both the tenant and the landlord to fix the tenancy term.  This sum deposited in the bank draws short term interest.  Your rent is the monthly interest by the bank.  The deposit is refunded when tenant vacates premises in good condition. 

System works very well for local residents as the deposit returned becomes deposit for the next place they rent so it is a win-win situation for tenant and landlord. 

Style: in Japan where you might ignore tatami mats without washlets, it is highly recommended to pick Korean vs Western style accommodation for ultimate experience in Korea. Even in remote villages, expect meticulously- cleaned floors. Including squat toilets, the traditional ondol promises a truly snug night with buckwheat husk pillows and beddings on clean thick vinyl/wooden floors –similar to a warm hug unforgetable rest to look forward to on cold winters or springs. 

Yes, making bed will take getting use to folding and storing the heavier layers in the mornings.

Transport:  Get use to the public transit for linkages are awesome. Avoid peak periods and take it slow.

Cuisine: a great indicator of Korean cuisine is color.  Unlike Indonesian/Malaysian dishes with coconut milk to lower the spicy curry furies, the red hot peppery color is distinct in dishes and kimchi. Most eateries do not give the choice of mild or spicy so judge by the color.  The different side dishes-golly!!! 

Hope it helps!

Thanks for sharing lorgnette01

Armand

Hi everyone, how difficult is to get a work permit, I have experience in Hotels?
regards,
marce

Living in Korea can be both fun and boring. If you have work to get you preoccupied and friends to go out with on the weekends, you probably won't get bored. You'd better live in a city like Seoul. There are many foreigners you can meet and be friends with especially in Itaewon. Also, you have to learn Basic Korean (at least). Most Koreans can't speak English.

1. Most Koreans speak English.  Being busy Koreans, they dislike having to pause, take time in their schedule to do so.  Recommend that foreigners modify their language into simple, less wordy phases rather than use correct grammatical paragraphs. 

2. It is not advisable to use basic Korean language on the streets -youth will accept and ignore the lack of courtesy, but   it is offensive to speak casual language without honorific.

"Most Koreans can speak ENGLISH"... I doubt it. Though in places where there are more foreigners, there are Koreans who DO speak English. I agree, however, that MOST Koreans are busy, and would rather go about their own business than indulge in chitchat.

BASIC KOREAN LANGUAGE IS NOT OFFENSIVE if you use the "yo" form when talking to someone older. Of course you won't say "Olmana?" to an ajumma in the market. You'd say "Olmaeyo?" for respect. That's basic Korean.

Looking at the date of this questions i'm sure you already got used to life in Korea. I'm turkish too, and i think it is a very nice place to live.

"Most Koreans speak English" .... Ahhahahahahahahahahahahah what a funny joke !!!!
Come on ! it's so tough if you only speak english in South Korea !

Even in Lotte Shops which are the equivalent of Harrod's in London, it's a real assault course to find someone who speak even a basic and understandable english !!!!!!