hajimemashite.: Korea is a LOT safer than the US, first off.  My parents were worried about my safety, as well, but I went to college in D.C. and felt on edge constantly.  In Korea, I rarely feel uneasy about being mugged or such.  I have a lot of friends that live alone and they've been fine.  When you're coming back at night, it's always advisable to find someone you're out with to share a taxi, but other than that...you should be fine. 

Are you teaching for a hagwon or a public school?  If you do the public school, you're have to attend an orientation with a couple hundred other incoming English teachers.  That way, you'll meet loads of people.  If you're at a hagwon, there should be at least a handful of other native speakers working with you.  Even if you don't really like them, go out with them because that way, you can be introduced to a whole new group of people.  

Well, I walk to school, and so does my boyfriend.  We both live within a 12 minute walk to our schools.  Most of our friends take the bus and/or subway.  It really depends on where your school decides to buy your housing.  The subway can be crowded in the morning and during rush hour, especially the Line 2 (green).  But it's rarely intolerably crowded--usually it's just pretty uncomfortable.  During the middle of the day and at night, it can be vacant enough to score seats.  It'll be your job to ask your employers to show you the ropes if they don't offer help.  Just ask, "Sorry, I'm new here and I really have no idea what to do.  Can someone help me get a T-Money card, etc?"  My school showed me some stuff pretty well (the nearest grocery store, what bus to take, how to walk to school, etc), but some schools don't.

If you send a copy of your diploma, it has to be notorized by the Korean embassy.  So I took my diploma to the embassy and they made a copy, stamped it with their official stamp, etc.  For recommendation letters, there was no form.  I emailed my 2 people and asked them to send a recommendation letter to a certain email address.   

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Hi ginger,

first off, i'd like to say i really appreciate your blog =]

i have several questions about korea and i'm really curious to know from someone else's experience. i am going to graduate in a few months and I plan on teaching English in Korea. Initially, I was going to apply with a friend but she will not be able to graduate on time, therefore, I am most likely going to apply by myself. My parents are strictly against me going to Korea, telling me that Korea is really dangerous,etc..especially at night. I don't know if they are trying to scare me telling me i wont be able to walk the streets alone at night, but I do really wonder if they are right, I'm a girl and I will be going to Korea alone since my friend can't make it, and most likely will be living alone, given that they pay for rent for just one person. So, I'd like to know will I be at risk if go alone?

Also, another question is, because I am going to go alone, what are some ways I can get to know some people there because I don't really know anyone there besides maybe some family I lost contact with. I mean, i don't want to just go to school to teach then come home and stay at home everyday, in a repetitive cycle.

Lastly, i'm assuming the only way i can get to my workplace is either by bus or train? Will someone instruct me the directions to get to work from my apartment or would i be required to figure all of that on my own, especially because i have never been to Korea. I don't really know how the money thing works(and how much korean money= u.s money). Also, are the buses and trains really crowded, and if so, at what times are they most crowded? lols ><

I'm sorry if someone already asked these questions. Please get back at me and thanks for taking the time to answer.

 edit: i read the other thread and im confused, would i have to send them the actual diploma or can i send a copy because i feel more safe sending a copy, and about the recommendation letters, is there a separate form for it or do i have to use the one my school provides me with? thanks again

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mochilover: I came to Korea on a C-4 and worked at a camp. After, I applied for an F-4 visa and my friends applied for E-2 visas. It worked out fine for us, so it should be the same for you!

memeu: There is a lot of stuff to do in Seoul, and if you come in the summer, there is the Hi-Seoul festival that goes EVERY night for all summer--tons of free performances and events.  As for where to stay, there are American-style hotels in all the big touristy areas, like Myeongdong, City Hall, Gangnam, etc.  If you want something a big more memorable, there is the Seoul Guest House.  This is situated in the north of Seoul, close to a lot of the big palaces and such.  It's famous because it's a traditional Korean style place.  Movies and tv shows have filmed there many times because of this.  The woman who runs it speaks English very well, apparently, and is quite used to having foreigners.  

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Hi Ginger!

 I've been offered a job for SMOE this fall, but there has been a change in plan so I'll be doing this in March 2009 instead. I'm thinking of applying for a C4 visa to do winter camp. Right after I finish camp, do you know if it is possible for me to stay in Korea for SMOE orientation? or would I have to go back to my home country first? I much rather stay in Korea than to travel back and forth!

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Just wanted to thank you for the great service you are providing us fellow readers.  

I'm thinking of visiting Korea (hopefully next few years) maybe spend a week or so. With the limited time is there any must see  place that you can recommend? Thinking Jeju, but probebly mostly Seoul Area. Oh, And and where to stay?

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Well, a lot of the people on the soompi boards seem really interested in BB Cream, since it isn't available in the states.  It's also MUCH cheaper here than ordering it, so if you're into that, I'd totally pick some up.  I would also pick up some of the slouchy, knit beanies (since they're only about $8 here and about $25 for the same style in the US) and those awesome dress slips with the patterns at the bottom.  I have a million of them and they always add a little extra something to a dress/long shirt.  I haven't seen anything like that in the US. 

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hey ginger your blog is really interesting to read.
thanks for all the helpful info on korea.

well,i was just wondering if there are any "must buys" in korea.
im visiting korea right now and im going back home next week and was thinking of buying things that are rare or expensive to find in north america...

like special make-up, trends only available in korea, food, etc.?
lol and thanks for any replies :D

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I, too, was very worried about food options, since I grew up on Italian food at least 3-4 nights out of the week.  You're in luck--pasta is easy to find at any supermarket for almost the same price as it is back home.  Here, a box of spaghetti will cost about 1,200 won (about $1.20).  At home, it was usually about .80.  So even though it's a bit more expensive, it's not terrible.  You can definitely find tins of chopped tomats, and even some pre-made sauces.  I love Hunts' tomato sauce and have found it for about 2,000 won a can at places like Lotte Department Store.  Namdaemun Market has multiple sellers of foreign food, so if you can't find it at your Home Plus/E-Mart nor at your department store, definitely check out Namdaemun.  If you want to eat out, there are enough Italian restaurants, but the really authetic/delicious ones will cost quite a bit more. 

Sanitary napkins and tampons have basically the same packaging, except that there isn't as much of a variety for tampons.  There are TONS of napkins to choose from, but usually just 1 or 2 brands of tampons.  Shaving stuff is everywhere--Gilette and the like.  I had heard a lot of people complaining about lack of some toiletries, but when I came here, it was a different story completely.  Places like Watson's and Olive Young are beauty supply stores and sell toiletries, makeup, razors, toothbrushes/toothpaste, etc.   

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Hey Ginger!

I've been reading your posts all the way from the UK.  I myself have just come back from Italy with my boyfriend, food was great and weather, gorgeous.

That leads me on to my first question; I'm more than willing to eat Korean food everyday, it looks scrummy and is cheap.  However, if I'm feeling for European continental food, how is Seoul for that? Olives, pasta, even a tin of chopped tomatoes - are these things expensive? Hard to find?

Secondly, I hear disturbing rumours that girlie toiletries aren't so readily available like shaving stuff.  And sanitary towels/tampons - easy to decipher in Korean?

 Thanks!

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Ah, I would have LOVED to study film in undergrand, but I declared English Lit as my major and didn't really have enough time to go back and do a double or a minor. Anyway, they lift a small amount from each paycheck for taxes. The orientation is a week-long seminar at the Hyundai Learning Center in the boonies outside of Bundang. It was...okay. Some of the presentations were helpful and interesting, but others...you could tell that the presenter didn't put that much effort into their work and, in turn, many of us lost interest very quickly. You'll be be divided into middle school teachers and elementary school teachers, and you'll spend almost all of your time with those who are teaching the same age group. It was a good way to meet other new SMOE teachers, but I didn't find it extremely helpful.

The summer and winter breaks vary from school to school. You OFFICIALLY get 21 days of paid vacation and can use that time during your school's winter/summer vacations, but some schools allow their teachers to take extra breaks that are not included in the contract. It honestly depends on your individual school's administration. I've known some people who have been given only their 21 days and others that have been given 2 months of vacation. But for the *students*, summer vacation typically runs from the second/third week of July until the fourth week of August. Winter vacation is from earlly/mid-January until March 1.

The price of the utilities depends on the season. In the winter, I spent about 110,000 won for everything and in the warmer weather, I've been spending about 60,000.

Let me know what district into which you're placed! We could end up attending district meetings together. :)

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Thank you for the consistently interesting and relevant blog posts.  Reading about your experiences abroad has been a total comfort for me.  You see, you’re exactly where I’ll be a year from now.  :)  I’ve just been hired by SMOE to start teaching in August (incidentally, Koreaconnections was my recruiter, as well).

A little about me:
I’ve just graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in Film and Media Production (totally worthless from an industry perspective, I know, but the experience was worthwhile).  As a sophomore, I spent a semester studying Korean at Yonsei University’s Korean Language Institute.  My ability’s diminished a bit since that time, but I do what I can to keep up.  I’ve shot a number of short films (and one feature) as cinematographer/camera operator, although (like most independent filmmakers) I’ll often slip into writer, director and actor roles for the sake of convenience.  (Speaking of which, my most recent short film is an adaptation of the Haruki Murakami story ‘On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning.’  If you’d like, check out the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgkRsis3yGY) and let me know your thoughts.)

Anyway, I’m hoping this move to Korea will satisfy a few desires – it’ll allow me some much needed distance from the sort of academic setting that’s defined my life up to this point; it’ll put me in a position to explore and contribute to the Korean independent film scene; it’ll help form and inform my world view/perspective; and, hopefully, it’ll work as a sort of stepping stone on the way to bigger things (aka Korean Lit. MA/Film Studies PhD).

Some questions for you:
1)    Tax exemption – do you receive one lump sum at the end of the contract, or is the amount merely left in each month’s paycheck?
2)    Orientation – how is it?  Where is it?  WHAT is it?
3)    Summer and winter breaks – how long and when?  Is it likely I’ll spend the majority of each break working camps or other things?  
4)    Bills – how much do you typically spend on gas, electricity, cell and internet for the month?
5)    Anything else you think I should know?

Thanks again for the awesome blog/informal Q&A. 

- Dan Dredger

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coralline: Um...I went to this restaurant called My Thai which is owned by some famous gay Korean actor/tv personality.  He was sitting next to our table for a while, chatting with his friends.  That's the only celebrity I've seen up close. 

charmins: Ginger isn't my real name, actually.  I chose this name years ago on Soompi because it was a childhood nickname that my grandfather gave me.  About the clothes...personally, I LOVE the cheap shopping, even if the material isn't fantastic.  If you take good care of your clothes, you can make even a cheaply made item last long.  And yes, I get the looks from strangers, as well.  Heads usually snap up as soon as I start speaking in English, and people will just blatantly stare.  One of my co-teachers said that it's usually because Koreans are really impressed, but that it just looks unfriendly sometimes. 

You will only change as much as you allow yourself to.  One person I met last summer swore to me that within a year, I'd be wearing a completely different style of clothing and that I'd be wearing my makeup in a more "Korean" way.  I told him that it was very unlikely, and I was right--I haven't changed the way I dress or apply makeup just because everyone else is styled a particular way.  It would be easy to be swept up into some things if you let yourself, though.

cocoboo: I can order in restaurants fine and taxis are usually fine, as well.  If my friends from home hadn't come with me, I think I would have made a greater effort to get close with my acquaintances.  Because I knew I had my galpals from home, I didn't make as much effort to get to REALLY know people.  That might change next year. 

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Hi ginger, i just love this blog :)

So since you're not fluent in korean how hard would you say it is to communicate with locals in everyday situations like ordering at a restaurant or telling a taxi driver where you want to go, etc? Also if you didn't go to korea with your bf or friends would it be difficult to make meaningful relationships?

And now for a total random question.... how tall are you? haha

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Hey Ginger (Is that your real name?)!

I'm a new reader and I find your posts really interesting, entertaining, and most of all, helpful! And I really love your photography~!

I just have a few questions about Korea and about your experience there. Do you think it's worth buying the clothes at places like Dongdemun and Myeongdong even though the quality of the fabric is pretty cheap? I went to Korea last summer and a lot of the shirts costed from 3,000 to 10,000 won, which is pretty goood! Also, do people stare at you a lot or give you dirty looks when you talk in English..for example in the subway? Whenever I talk in English with my friends on the Seoul subway or at the shopping places, I always notice people looking curious, amazed or annoyed. Maybe I'm just being paranoid..

Lastly, this is more of a personal question but do you feel that you've changed as a person after staying for many many months in Korea? I hear from a lot of my friends that when their Korean friends (especially second gens) stayed in Korea for several months, they came back changed (e.g., their appearance, their personality). I'm afraid some of my friends will come back completely changed or that it'll happen to me. 

Okay that was a very long post haha..forgive me =).

- Charmins

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Sorry if this is a fangirly question, but have you met/seen any celebrities so far? And is it fairly easy/a common occurrence to spot them? My friend in Japan constantly talks about seeing stars in the subway and other public places; I'm just curious if it's similar in Korea.

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chunsahpyo: Well, at first, I thought it was really difficult to find a public school job in Seoul.  There are so many recruiters saying they'll get you a position but then they end up offering you lame hagwon deals.  It took over a month for me to apply with Korea Connections because I was applying to lying recruiters.  Even Footprints and Worknplay, who are also official recruiters for SMOE, told me that there weren't any public school jobs available.  But just be persistent because there ARE those jobs out there. 

For money saving...it varies for everyone.  I like to shop, take taxis when i'm tired, eat out many times a week, etc, so I haven't been able to save that much (around $6000).  However, since a lot of my friends are going home next year, I figure that I won't be going out as much and will be able to save more.  Some guys can save oodles of money, but I've never met one, just read about them on the internet.  

Da Xing Di: That's a hard question!  I spend about half of my earnings each month, but I go shopping a LOT.  If you live off cheap food, walk a lot, and avoid taxis, I'm sure you'd be able to cut down a lot.  Basically, you can get meals for under $4, so meals shouldn't be a huge issue.  Ramyeon is $1, the standard kind of kimbap is $1, etc.

Seoul is very safe!  I came from D.C., where crime was horrible and I NEVER felt safe walking around at night (even on my campus).  Seoul is a lot safer.  My parents were really worried, too, but yeah...I've had no problems.

smileforgrace: Haha! I know what you mean about the money seeming to disappear faster (maybe it feels that way because there are no $20 or $50 bills?).  Myeongdong has some good cheap shopping but some expensive stuff, as well.  For t-shirts, I don't pay more than $5 and for most casual dresses (stuff I'd wear to Hongdae or work), I don't like to pay more than $15.  Now that's for those cheap boutiques that all sell the same stuff.  If it actually has a brand sewn in and is sold at a boutique that doesn't seem as mass produced, I'm fine spending $35 on a dress and $20 on a shirt/skirt.  Hats...I'm pretty sure you can get them for around $7-8.  I bought some beanies and they were all $8. 

Must do?  Hmmm...the palaces, I suppose.  Try Everland? I haven't been there but I heard it's a blast.  Seoul honestly doesn't have that many touristy things!  Have you seen a show like Nanta or Bboy?

vana117724: To find a teaching job, check out Worknplay.co.kr, footprintsrecruiting.com, Daveseslcafe.com.  There are literally thousands of jobs being offered so shop around.  8-10 hours?  I would check out Myeongdong if you want shopping (IF it's a nice day. If it's raining, skip it and go to something like Coex).  Insadong is fun if you want to buy some souveniers and it also has a lot of traditional Korean restaurants that are used to catering towards tourists.  It all depends on what you want to do!  As for restaurants, I have places that I like but not places that are "omg you HAVE to here!"  There are restaurants EVERYWHERE in Seoul and the majority are serving up the same menu.

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yay! i'm glad you are doing this.

Umm... how can one find the right teaching job in korea. and I am stopping in Seoul in about three weeks... really short amount of time that I'm going to spend there like 8-10 hours but Can you suggest some places to eat! and shop.

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Hey Ginger (unni?!) ^^;;

I'm sort of a silent reader of your blog... I've commented you once before but I don't think you'll remember ^^;;

Anyways, I'm Korea right now (I live in the States) and I'll be here until August 8th...
I've done some shopping with my friends at Myoungdong and Dongdaemoon but I was wondering what other areas are really good CHEAP shopping areas. For some reason, I feel like Korean money dissapear faster than American dollars... T_T I'm kind of a cheap person and I love deals so please recommend me cheap places to shop in Seoul! :)

Oh, and I can't really tell what's cheap and not cheap... like is 10,000 won for a shirt too much? 22,000 for a black vest? 10,000 for a hat? It's confusing because if I think of it in dollars, it seems like a good deal but I feel like I'm spending a lot and I didn't even buy that much...

Also, I was wondering if there's anything that is like a "MUST DO" before I go back home... I lived in Korea before and I come back here once in a while so I don't want to do tourist stuff but I want to experience something different and fun! ^^

Thank you! :) Yay, school's out! ^^

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How competitive is it to get a teaching job at a seoul public school? After reading various blogs & talking with my mom about it, I've really got my heart set on going to a public school (I definitely want to be in Seoul).  I want to go to Korea for the start of the next school year (so I plan on applying in the coming months) but I'm worried I won't get accepted to work at a public school!

Also, you don't have to answer this second question but I was just wondering how much money one can save up on average.  I think the most common number I've come across is that people can save up around $10,000 from a year of teaching.

As always, I really appreciate the time you take to post interesting tidbits on your time in Korea and to answer all these questions!

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THANK YOU FOR your answers!!!I'll ask more in the future!!thnx!!

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7wWWw7: One of the first things some of the older teachers said to me when I came to my school was, "Do you know Korean tv?  There is a show with foreign women.  Practice your Korean hard so you can go on, okay?"  Ever since then, a Korean male occasionally starts a conversation with me that goes, "So...do you watch Korean tv?"  I've seen it a few times (it seems to be on quite frequently), but I don't linger on it.  I was SO impressed with their Korean.  I'm listening to the blog right now--it's pretty interesting.  After hearing it, now I want to watch the show (even if my Korean sucks).  

dns123:  White is still VERY popular.  On the subway, I am usually the tannest female.  However, at night--in the clubbing/drinking areas--you suddenly see a LOT of tanned Koreans.  Hip hop culture is big so a lot of girls are influenced by that.  But overall, you see long, black hair and white, white skin.

KTZ811: Well, people said it would be hard for me to hired, too, but I got the job I wanted!  Rest assured, I know plenty of teachers here who are NOT white and are teaching here--Indian, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian, etc. 

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 I forgot to ask this question..

How hard would it be for a Filipino person to be hired to teach in Korea?  Did that make sense? lol. I was reading this article about teaching in Korea one day and the author said that it would be hard for people like Filipinos, Indians, etc.. to be hired in Korea since we are not "white". I know that Koreans perfer "light-skinned" americans because they think they speak better English. So hmm..?  Help?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Because in this world, love is more hungered for than bread."

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Hi!! this is a great thing, thnx for doing this.

So I know Asians are really obsessed about being white, b/c they think that is the beauty, I'm kinda like that, idk maybe cause I'm asian and some of my family still into this. So in Korea, is everyone still like being so white?B/c some asian guys like their girl to be paler than them or somethin. is there times when u see tan asians there?lol idk maybe? Is there people who don't like their skin color (white) there?I'm curious b/c here everyone wants to be tan,and their white, u know?lol thank you, i know this q/s seems little silly but yeah...

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Hi

Now that you actually made an entry soley to answer question I forgot many things I wanted to ask...

My question is about entertainment as well. Its the show where there are a bunch of foreign women who talk/answer question/do silly things. I think I've seen some clips of it, without understanding anything but I still found it quite awkward.

After listening to this:

http://www.bombenglish.com/2008/04/28/14-why-we-hate-misuda/

I feel like I got reassured.

They basically said that they thought the general idea was good but not the realization

I know your not fluent in Korean but I'd like to know if you have any opinion about it at all.

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My favorite Korean singers...hmm!  Well, I listen to the pop that everyone listens to and of that mainstream stuff, my favorite performers would have to be Big Bang (incredibly catchy), Epik High (I have a soft spot for Tablo), Brown Eyes (one of my first Korean albums!), and my...guilty pleasure: TVXQ *runs away*   I really like Galaxy Express and the Moonshiners, as well (both are indie punk bands).  SNSD, the Wonder Girls, etc are all fine--catchy, I don't mind listening to it, fun party music.  

I don't follow that many films, but I like the guy who was in Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance and JSA.  Er..I also like Jang Dong Gun, much to my boyfriend's chagrin.   I haven't seen My Father but I should, since I'm adopted and I know that Daniel Henney plays an adopted male.  

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Oh that's really cool. I've always wondered a whole lot about Korea, but for some reason I can't think of any right now. Hmm...

 You've never really talked about korean celebrities, so I'm wondering who's your favorite korean singer and actors if you have to choose? 

 I just finished watching My Father with Daniel Henney. Have you seen it before and what do u think about it? 

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