There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for settling into expat life in a new country, but here are a few helpful articles and personal stories that may help make your move a little easier.
Hammer and Guillaume are an expat couple from Hong Kong and France who lived and loved everything about Seoul, South Korea for four years. Besides the language barrier, Hammer and Guillaume enjoyed exploring South Korea, finding its hidden gems and sharing them with their audience on their… Read more
Joel is an Englishman who’s been living, learning, and loving everything about South Korea since 2015. He’s developed a love for hiking in the mountains, trying lots of different and unique dishes, exploring cities, temples and getting out as much as possible. He teaches English at a university in… Read more
Bronwyn is currently completing her master's in clinical psychology. She moved to South Korea to teach English and make some money while learning about the culture and life in a new country. She loves to travel and is grateful for the opportunity to do so. Although she's… Read more
After a terrible breakup, Rianca decided to leave her dead-end job and do what most “youngsters” do: flea to a foreign country. The plan was to stay in South Korea for a year, make some money, and head back home, but she ended up falling in love with the country and staying much… Read more
Patrick is an English teacher and the owner of JJ’s Bar in Ulsan, South Korea. He has a lovely fiancée named June and a dog named PJ. Both are the centre of his world. He likes to work out, play guitar, play golf, and meet “weird” people. Patrick has been an expat in South Korea since 2007 and now… Read more
Azra is an American living abroad. Since 2015 they have called Busan, the second largest city in South Korea, their home. They give insight on mental health and being a teacher in South Korea. For more insights into Azra's life in Busan, follow them on Facebook.
Read more about expat life in… Read more
South Korea is a hugely popular expat destination. Each year thousands of people from across the globe head to the country for a new adventure. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this exciting opportunity from someone with first-hand experience.
1. Learn Hangul
Hangul… Read more
Ishwarya started her expat existence in 2016, when she and her husband moved to South Korea from England in order for him to follow his dream job in a major international organisation. Ishwarya has gone from being an event producer to being a ‘trailing spouse’. She spends her days … Read more
Originally from Madison, USA, Brit worked in marketing before deciding it was time for a change. As a daydreamer bit by the travel bug, she quit her job and moved across the world to South Korea to teach English. She enjoys hiking through mountains and expressing her creativity through… Read more
Samantha has recently returned to her home country of Canada after two years of living in South Korea, where she taught English and travelled extensively throughout Asia. Samantha enjoys sharing her expat experiences and her expert writings serve to both inspire and inform travellers and expats.… Read more
Each year, a steady stream of English-speaking foreigners make their way to South Korea for financial, professional and cultural gain. By far, the most popular source of income for these expats is found teaching English. English teaching jobs are relatively easy to obtain as long as an expat… Read more
As with living in any foreign country, expats will inevitably face a bit of culture shock in South Korea. This has particularly been the case to quite an extent for me, having lived in South Korea for a year.
Daily, I found myself confused or proverbially pinching myself to wake up. One only has… Read more
Gaby is a South African expat living in South Korea. Looking for a change and chance to travel, Gaby and her husband moved to Gumi when she was offered a position as a resident Native English Teacher. Despite the challenges of moving to Korea, not least of which has been culture shock and a… Read more
Perhaps you’ve decided to look for a little adventure, or perhaps you had no choice; maybe you didn’t do your research before accepting the job, like me. However, it came to be, though, if you find yourself living and working in rural South Korea, you’ve just buckled in for quite the ride. I’d like… Read more
Amy is an English teacher in Suwon, South Korea, who originally hails from down south. Read her advice on how to choose a school in South Korea, read about what she misses about home, and find out what she loves and hates about living and working in South Korea.
Follow her adventures on her blog,… Read more
In South Korea, ESL teachers usually head for the bigger centres like Seoul or Busan. But what’s it like living and working in the South Korean countryside? Sally Bucey explains…
I’ve never been what you’d call a “country girl”; I grew up in the suburbs of a US city and spent my college… Read more
Jenna came to Busan in early 2010 to teach English, and started blogging as a way to keep her family and friends up to date while she did so. She's since fallen in love with blogging, and in 2012 returned to South Korea to continue teaching. Read her advice on the best areas to stay in Busan… Read more
Maggie is an ESL teacher in Seoul, South Korea, who travelled to the country to teach and to play and coach rugby. She's had a hard time finding some Western hair products, but otherwise is loving the great food, the easy-to-use public transport and the opportunities to make new friends in South… Read more
Amanda's love of travel began with a trip abroad when she was just 12, blossomed into full-blown wanderlust when she worked as an au pair in Rome, and after a brief and ill-advised stint at a 9-5 job back home, has been satisfied most recently by a trip to South Korea to teach English. Read about… Read more
Deva, like many a South African expat in South Korea, moved to the country to teach English and in the process pay off her student loans. A former journalism student, she chronicles her trials and adventures on her blog, The Culture Muncher. Read her suggestions about the best areas in Daegu to… Read more
Matt and Andrea are from Washington State, USA. The couple landed in South Korea just three months after their wedding to teach English in a small town just outside of Seoul. Despite missing Western food and having the occasional hassle when Andrea is mistaken for a Russian prostitute (not her… Read more
Andy, a South African expat, left the corporate world in search of new adventure in the East. He wound up teaching English in South Korea, where he was impressed with the healthcare, low cost of living and complete lack of crime, and did his best to get to know local Koreans instead of only hanging… Read more
Simon, a Canadian expat living in South Korea, cites life in Bucheon as nearly perfect. He's found all the perks of Seoul's big city pace coupled with a more affordable cost of living and less hustle and bustle. Even his dog seems to be happy. He maintains a blog, along with his second half, about… Read more
Chris, an American expat teaching English in South Korea, has made it a priority to absorb as much Korean culture as possible. When not grappling over grammar and pronunciation with students, he's a full-fledged traveller, writer and experiential explorer; in short, there's never a dull moment.… Read more
Expat Health Insurance
Cigna Global Health Insurance.
Medical insurance specifically designed for expats. With Cigna, you won't have to rely on foreign public health care systems, which may not meet your needs. Cigna allows you to speak to a doctor on demand, for consultations or instant advice, wherever you are in the world. They also offer full cancer care across all levels of cover, and settle the cost of treatments directly with the provider.
Moving Internationally?
International Movers. Get Quotes. Compare Prices.
Sirelo has a network of more than 500 international removal companies that can move your furniture and possessions to your new home. By filling in a form, you’ll get up to 5 quotes from recommended movers. This service is free of charge and will help you select an international moving company that suits your needs and budget.
Get your free no-obligation quotes from select removal companies now!
