Teaching Abroad in South Korea

February 14, 2020

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to start teaching abroad in South Korea? We partnered with Sarah from Search for Soul to help give you an idea of some of the amazing opportunities that are available to teachers. She started her journey teaching elementary students in South Korea and within her first 5 months, she has been given opportunities to travel throughout Asia. Read more about Sarah’s story below.

What made you want to teach abroad?

“When I was in college I spent a month backpacking in Europe thinking it would quench my travel bug. Unfortunately, it only made me want to see more of the world. At the time I was getting my degree in education and teaching abroad seemed like the perfect way to combine two of my passions.”

What was your job search experience like?

“I was really open-minded about where I ended up. But I did want to be in Asia since the culture is so different than in America. When I was looking into the programs, South Korea seemed to have a lot of better benefits than other countries, so I decided to go with them!

I applied to the EPIK program which is through all public schools in South Korea and for native English teachers. The process itself was a lot of paperwork and some minor headaches but they did a fantastic job of letting you know exactly what you needed and held your hand through most of it. You can put in your preference for what ages you want to teach. I teach elementary school children at the moment.

Next year depending on a few circumstances I’m thinking about maybe trying out South America next, particularly Chile or Peru.”

How was your interview process?

“My interview was a Skype interview. It was actually my first Skype interview I ever had and the first time I had ever used Skype. Of course, my internet connection cut off halfway through and I had to call them back. I thought for sure I wouldn’t get the job because of that but obviously I guess it worked out.

I feel like they asked pretty standard questions. They asked mostly about why I wanted to teach in South Korea, how I would describe myself, and if I like to travel. They also asked a few things about my teaching experience and beliefs as well. I did look online for common interview questions that are asked in the program and wrote out the answers to a few of them, which ended up being extremely helpful. I think they asked almost every single question I found online.”

Where are you currently located?

“My school is in Gangnam (yes, like the song), which is a pretty expensive area in South Korea. I like big cities and knew I wanted to live in Seoul. There’s so much to do and it’s impossible to run out of things to see. Most of my students actually know a lot of English already, which makes my job exceptionally easier than most.

Honestly, sometimes I forget that I even have a job because it can feel like you’re on a giant vacation. It definitely helped a lot with the Sunday scaries.”

Were you required to learn a new language?

“A lot of the schools actually prefer their teachers to know little if any Korean so that it forces the children to be in a full immersion environment. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to know the language once you’re here. I’ve managed pretty well with only knowing very basic Korean.”

What were some of the difficult things you had to overcome?

“It was definitely hard saying goodbye to friends and family before leaving. Shortly after I got accepted into the program my sister got pregnant, so it has been a little difficult for me to not meet my niece. But I knew that if I didn’t move abroad at some point in my life it was going to be something I would absolutely regret for the rest of my life.

Getting settled can be a bit much. Especially setting up a bank account. I highly recommend finding a native speaker to help you with this process as it can be a bit daunting on your own.”

What has your new school been like?

“I am at a local school in Gangnam. I teach 3-6th grade English and most of my students are pretty well off. In fact, a lot of them have spent a few years abroad in English speaking countries, which makes my job pretty easy for the most part.

Because I’m at a Korean public school, I also get part of the government pension and healthcare system which has been astonishingly good. I’ll be able to get my pension back after my time here on top of a bonus for completing my contract which will be a few thousand in my pocket by the end of the year. I also have about 27 days of vacation on top of state holidays. I’m actually currently using some of those days and traveling all over southeast Asia at the moment.

My coworkers are some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. They definitely make me feel cared for, and they check up on me frequently just to make sure I’m adjusting well to the new environment.

Sometimes there can be a few translation errors and communication breakdowns with the staff. Overall though, it hasn’t caused any major problems at all. If anything, it can just take a smidge longer to get the information across.”

Did your school provide benefits?

“Yes! The school pays for the flight as well as a settlement allowance which was about 300 dollars. I just purchased everything here since I didn’t need much. The school covers the big stuff like a bed, table, etc. I just bought some kitchen stuff and I was pretty much set. They will also give you an apartment that they choose for you and then will pay your rent for the year. They’re most likely going to be studio apartments and a bit small but that’s about every apartment in Seoul unfortunately.”

Be sure to check out Sarah’s current adventures in South Korea and future adventures across the world at Search for Soul. Curious how you can start your journey? Download our Free Ultimate Guide to Teaching Abroad below!