Advice for Moving to Korea

If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you’re someone who is planning on moving Korea from the US. Or maybe you found my blog and now you’re on the panic bus now thinking, “Is moving to Korea a good idea?” Rest assured, you’re in good hands and I’m going to give you the best advice for moving to Korea.

When I was first moving to Korea, I wish someone had sat me down and given me advice on what to expect or what to do. While I had read many blogs and watched a bunch of YouTube videos on what’s up, I feel like I wasn’t fully prepared for what I had to face. Now that I’m in a position to help others, I want to give you all insight into what to prepare for when moving to Korea.

One of my favorite things as a blogger is interacting with my audience. I love it when you guys ask me questions about life in Korea, dating and more. As much as I’d love to respond to each and every one of your questions, I can’t always do it. I’ve talked to other expats and based off my own experiences, I want to give you the best advice for moving to Korea.

We will cover things like what to expect, what to watch out for, and how to make your transition a lot smoother.

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• What to Pack When Moving to Korea

Booking a Flight

Congrats, you’ve got a job in Korea! Whether it be working at a company, an English teacher, entertainer, or whatever else, you’re going to need to sort your flight to the country. Some of my favorite places to search for flights include Skyscanner and Kayak.

If you’re going anywhere else besides Seoul, you can book a bus or check out these low cost airline carriers:

• Air Busan
• Air Seoul
• East Star
• Jeju Air
• Jinair
• T’way

Learn Korean

This should go without saying. Many Koreans do speak English and other languages. They are interested in the rest of the world and it shows in Seoul. However, don’t come to Korea expecting to learn as you go along.

Do yourself a favor, sit down for a few days and learn hangul. Then learn how to count because Korea has a vastly different counting system. I suggest learning how to count from the ten thousands range to the millions. Even learning the Konglish like 피자 (pizza) will make your life less stressful. Get an app or get on YouTube and learn some basic expressions because it will help you in the long run. I also suggest using 90 Day Korean. At the end of your Korean journey, you’ll be able to have a three minute conversation with a local. Not ready to take the plunge? They also offer a FREE 90 minute reading cheat sheet.

One thing I wish I knew about when I moved to Korea was the Korean Immigration and Integration Program. Had I known about this, I probably would have had my F visa by now, but I digress. These are basically FREE government run Korean classes. You have a teacher and a textbook that will help you learn the language. You can also get points for completing each level and additional points for completing the courses.

If you’re planning on staying in Korea longterm and don’t want your ass to be owned by your employer, then I highly suggest you take the placement test and sign up for classes ASAP.

Use Instagram

Koreans love this platform. I’m sure most people do, myself included, but they’re on anther level. They love sharing their life, fancy drinks, and what they’re doing with their friends, family, or significant other.

If there’s a new trend coming out, chances are everyone will be posting about it on Instagram. Knowing popular Korean hashtags to search for cool cafes, restaurants, activities, and general stuff will really help you too. Some of them include:

• #(city)추천
• #(city)핫플레이스 
• #(city)핫플
• #(city)맛집
• #(city)맛집투어
• #(city)데이트
• #(city)커플데이트
• #(city)데이트코스
• #(city)카페
• #(neighborhood)카페
• #(city)여행 
• #(city)여행코스

If you also learn Korean, you can use Naver which is the Korean Google. You’ll find everything on there (except for stuff the government sensors). It’s life changing and super informative.

Don’t Be Afraid

You know how in The Little Mermaid, Ariel is constantly telling Flounder not to be a guppy? Same principals apply here. You’re moving to a foreign country and you want to be a baby when it comes to going out and exploring?

Be like Nike and just do it.

For the life of me, I cannot understand people who move to foreign countries and are scared of going out and exploring or become ENORMOUS babies when they travel to other countries.

When you start acting like a guppy, I want you to reach deep down inside of yourself and ask ask yourself your why. Did you move here to sit inside and not know anything? Or did you move here to have an adventure? If your answer is the latter, expect to fail miserably and often. But also expect to grow and have a much more exciting life.

Shopping That Will Save Your Life

Here’s what you need to know. GMarket, Coupang, and McDelivery are life when it comes to the internet. The end.

Just kidding. There’s more.

For food shopping, I highly recommend Home Plus (lots of foreign options and expensive) and EMart. If you need anything for your home or a series of knick knacks, try Daiso.

Underground subway stations often carry the latest fashions and for much cheaper than regular stores. If you’re a plus size girl like me or have feet bigger than a size 8, your new favorite stores will be Uniqlo, the Hollister at the Jamsil Lotte Department Store, American Eagle, Forever 21, and H&M.

Note that just because everything in Korea is cheaper than what you would find in Korea doesn’t mean you need to go spending your money on every little thing. Believe me, I made that mistake by buying all the Korean makeup. That ish adds up and you’ll be broke and eating ramen at the end of the month if you’re not careful.

Sneakers Are a MUST

In America, yes, we can be slobs sometimes when we dress, but if we’re going out for night out on the town, we always dress to the nines. This means heels or cute shoes you won’t take off.

One of the biggest shocks I had when I moved here was seeing girls with really cute outfits and then super dirty sneakers. I was like… Da FUQ? I couldn’t understand why they dressed like that and vowed I would never be the same.

Needless to say, my resolve didn’t last forever. After being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and destroying many pairs of shoes, I could see why their sneakers were so messed up.

A lot of the pavement here isn’t always even (and super dirty). It will scuff up, tear, and destroy your shoes. You will also be walking a lot more than you usually would in your home country.

Take solace in the fact that sneakers are super cool and sold in large abundance here. If you have bigger than size 8, rejoice because they have unisex sneakers for all the couples too. Your feet will forever be comfortable. You’re welcome.

Studying Abroad Vs Living Here

Most exchange students anywhere will have the times of their lives studying in their host country. Yes, they get a taste of what it’s like to live in a foreign country, but they’re not technically living in “real life.”

They don’t have a job, bills to pay, or shitty coworkers that ignore them because they don’t like them or they’re shy. As a student, you have substantially MORE free time to enjoy the country and go out exploring. You’re not chained to your desk as an English teacher or company employee. Working here will drain you more than studying does.

Also, while everyone is working, you get to enjoy Seoul without the major crowds that come after 5 and on weekends. That being said, it’s also easier and better to make lasting friendships since you’re all in the same boat and spend more quality time together as students. When you’re working many of your friends could live further away, thus isolating you.

Don’t Trust Everyone

While I find most Koreans to be very hospitable and kind, you have to be careful of people’s ulterior motives. Sometimes you can ask your Korean coworkers things and they’ll respond with, “It’s not possible” or “Foreigners can’t do it.” This often actually means, “I don’t feel like it” or “I don’t know how to do what you want.” Your best bet in these circumstances to to ask other foreigners who have been here longer. They often know what you’re talking about and can help you navigate around it.

If you think people are two faced in your own country, wait until you come to Korea. Sometimes you really will meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Your coworkers or friends may seem like they like you, but on the inside they despise you. I really mean this. DO NOT TRUST ANYONE EASILY.  

One thing I learned is that people here can and will get close to you quickly if you help them reach their end goals. For instance, if they want to learn English, they’ll befriend you quickly and want to spend all of their time with you. Once you’ve outlived your usefulness to them, then they will just ghost you.

Always Save Face

This is an expression you will know all too well when you move to Korea. Many Koreans don’t like to admit or be wrong and will always try to save face. They will act like nothing is wrong and try to move past it. This means you most likely will not get an apology.

Also, if you are trapped in a situation you cannot get out of save face. Pick and choose your battles wisely. This means if someone is also being a fishbish at work then just smile, and internally wish bad things upon them. Do not engage unless necessary because you will lose.

Make Friends

Everyone is different in their way of making friends. Myself included. (Despite being a blogger you’d think I was some weird shut in recluse, but I’m actually not. I’m super extroverted and I love being around people.) But, I digress…

When we were all in school, our classmates became our friends. Now, as adults in a foreign country, how do you make friends?

For me, I usually make mine by finding people who have similar interests to me. I go to meetups with other bloggers, photographers and YouTubers. There’s always a community for stuff that you love.

Some people make friends through Facebook, group traveling, meetup.com, language exchanges, clubs, Tinder, or others become friends with their coworkers at Hagwon. Whatever your flavor, don’t go friendless. You can and will find someone here you really click with.

You Will Get Pushed

I don’t know about other cultures, but in America, if you push someone or bump into them by accident, you almost always apologize. Here, I’ve literally been pulled out of the way by ajhummas and ajhussi. Some of them have grabbed my waist, my clothes, or flat out clotheslined me.

I think this might be attributed to people going places quickly and their personal space bubble is different. Goodbye American arms length apart…

You will also get girls who suffer from princess syndrome and won’t even open the door themselves and walk in ahead of you. People will also not hold the door for you so expect some doors slammed in your face. And expect ajhummas to put their hands on you in uncomfortable places.

For me, this was a HUGE culture shock. The fact no one said sorry after knocking the wind out of me, pushing or pulling me shooketh me to my core.

Don’t Be Afraid of Public Transport

That being said that a tiny human about half your height can knock the wind out of you, don’t be afraid of public transport. Accept the inevitable. You will fuck up big time when taking the buses or trains. Learn how to read the signs and what they mean. Once you get used to it, you’ll be fine. Well, kind of. I’m a veteran and sometimes I’ve taken the wrong train.

There’s subway apps like Seoul Subway that will tell you which car to stand in for the perfect transfer onto your next train if need be.

Also know that living in a rural area or the countryside means the public transport is gonna be meh at best.

Get To Know The Laws

This should also be common sense, but you wouldn’t be able to believe some of the hot water expats have gotten themselves into. One of them primarily being the self defense laws.

In my home country, if someone gropes me or tries to attack me, I can beat the living daylights out of them as long as it was in self defense. That’s not the case in Korea. You can only defend yourself with an equal amount of strength. If you go hard, Koreans will go to the hospital, get a report, and then sue you for using too much force even if they attacked you first. This is probably why no one will help you if you’re being attacked too. There are no good samaritan laws in this country.

That being said, you can legally sound record everything as long as your voice is heard. Also, record it if someone is being a psycho and coming at you for no reason. You will have proof and the police can do something about it.

Be aware of defamation laws. A big flaw in Korean culture is how seriously people take their reputations. For instance, if a woman is raped and tells everyone who her attacker was, the rapist can then sue her for defamation. Fucked up and infuriating, yes, but that’s how the laws work.

My last bit of advice—Join an expat and legal counseling group.

You WILL Get Sick

I hate to burst your bubble, but Koreans don’t like to practice proper hygiene. It could be the reason why MERS spread so quickly in 2015, but I digress. (Low blow, I know.)

Most people don’t cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough so their lovely and infectious germs are just floating around everywhere. In addition, most Koreans don’t usually wash their hands after the use the toilet. Yes, this means all public transportation and your school are grody af.

You will be exposed to all the different strains of the cold, flu and whatever else is out there so be prepared. Bring hand sanitizer and try not to touch anything on public transport.

As of lately, the pollution has also been screwing people 10 ways from Sunday. A lot of the gunk in the air causes itchy and watery eyes, and excessive coughing especially in the morning. If you’re someone that has asthma or any respiratory problems, I highly recommend having your inhaler.

Keep tissue, soap, and hand sanitizer on you. For snoot and sanitation purposes, many public restrooms in Korea don’t have toilet paper or soap.

Buy An Air Purifier and Masks

Also, I hate to be the one who brings you the crappy news, but air pollution is a problem in Korea. While the Land of the Morning Calm likes to blame it on their neighbor, China, 70% of the pollution comes from Korea itself. Air pollution causes lots of health problems including asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, other respiratory infections and even death. It’s not a joke, and I urge you to takes it seriously.

Granted, Korea isn’t always a miasma of cloudy death, but it’s starting to become more and more common.

I highly recommend buying Vogmasks and an air purifier for your home so you can at least try to keep your health up.

The Streets Are DIRTY

This may or may not be a huge shocker to you. For me, after coming from Chicago and living in Japan, I find the streets of Korea are especially filthy. You need to watch where you walk if you want to avoid walking in loogies, dog shit, and vomit. I still don’t understand why some Koreans think it’s okay turn their streets into dumpsters. But here’s me, warning you. You can take the riffraff out of the ghetto, but you can’t take the ghetto out of the riffraff.

Helpful Numbers

Also, I don’t know why I never bothered to look up helpful telephone numbers in Korea. This would have saved me a lot of trouble and the heavy and unhealthy reliance I had on my ex Korean boyfriend when I moved to Korea. Don’t be like me and go forth and be the boss you are! If you’re in a pinch, I promise these numbers will surely help!

Helpful Korean Telephone Numbers

Phew! You made it through this giant post! Just so you know, I will probably be adding to this post periodically. There’s a lot of advice I can give so I would love to continue sharing it as I come across it.

Before I leave you, one of the last things I recommend is getting Jackie Bolen’s book, How To Thrive in South Korea. She gives a whole bunch of tips and tricks to make your transition to South Korea hella easy. She was an experienced teacher here for about 10 years.

For other sources from many different point of views, I also suggest the moving to Korea Reddit page.

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