South Korea

David a Perth identity has been teaching TESOL in South Korea for several years and we have a series of informal and informative letters from him for publication over the next few issues:

Thanks for the reply. I'll try go onto some more details regarding the business aspect of teaching here in Korea.

I wouldn't personally say Seoul is expensive, not especially after being in places like Tokyo and Singapore. However it can be expensive if you're not careful with your money. A lot of teachers go out drinking and having a good time every night (a late work start allows this) and you can easily blow $100-$150 a night, especially at some clubs. It boils down to sensibility, and most foreign teachers working in either Seoul or anywhere else in Korea walk away with substantial savings (expenses can be as low as a third of your pay).

Kimchi (gimchee) is Korea's pride and joy, along with its famous alcoholic beverage; soju. Restaurants have flat fees, you don't haggle prices, and its the same for everyone. I've never been overcharged and in general most places feel privileged to have a foreigner enter their establishment. In a small town like Andong I find the people exceptionally warm, even more so when I start talking with what limited Korean I know.

Korea is extremely westernised. Many people forget its the home to such companies as LG, Samsung and 3 or 4 car manufacturers. Seoul is a progressive city, and while the rest of the country has a long way to go, I wouldn't at all say its backwards. In general, people are happy, wages are increasing, and the young generation are very possibly the most educated in the world.

David