How easy is it to integrate, or at least make friends with, the local people?

Koreans are very warm and hospitable once you’re acquainted, but they tend to be shy and apprehensive when they meet foreigners initially. The younger generation is very open to foreign visitors and, unlike the older generation, often have the English skills to express their curiosity and friendship. It is easier in larger cities to integrate with locals than it is in the rural countryside because many Koreans who live in larger cities have had more exposure to foreigners.

Do foreigners receive a lot of attention from locals?

This depends on where you are—if you’re in a big city, then no, you won’t receive an excessive amount of attention from locals because they’re familiar with seeing foreign visitors around the city. If you’re in a smaller city or rural part of Korea, then yes, you will probably receive some stares along with occasional points and shouts from children. Oftentimes, the attention is because the locals are intrigued and curious—you may be the first non-Korean they’ve ever seen in person.

Do foreigners receive special privileges?

Not that we are aware of, no. Prices for foreigners and local Koreans are the same, whether to take the bus, visit a museum, or shop at the department store. Foreign visitors do qualify for a tax refund, though, from purchases of certain amounts when shopping at certain stores. It also doesn’t hurt to bargain and ask for a small discount when shopping—we’ve seen store clerks knock off anywhere from five hundred won (fifty cents) to ten thousand won (ten dollars) for our American and Canadian friends!

Are Koreans open to dating non-Koreans?

Again, this depends on where you are—in the big cities, it’s not uncommon to see international couples. Typically, the couple is a Western man and Korean woman, though sometimes you’ll see Western women and Korean men dating, too. Although Korea is becoming more modern and the younger generation is more open-minded, Korea is still culturally very conservative. In short, though, yes, many Koreans are open to dating non-Koreans.

What is the weather like during each season?

Korea has four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. During the spring, days are typically bright and sunny with a wind chill that can be very cold, so it’s necessary to wear a warm jacket. Summer in Korea is the rainy season, with sudden rain storms throughout the day, and the climate is very humid. Similar to spring time, fall is bright and sunny with a strong wind chill. Korean winter is very dry and usually brings a moderate amount of snowfall depending on region.

Is it expensive to live there and buy things (groceries, clothing, etc.)?

No, it is not expensive to live in Korea. What you buy, though, naturally can be more or less expensive depending on where you buy it. Groceries—such as fresh produce, cereals, meat, and dairy products—tend to cost slightly more in Korea than in the United States, for example. However, fresh vegetables and fruits can be cheaply purchased at roadside stands and open market vendors.

Good quality clothing can be purchased for very cheap prices (as low as $5 per top or $10 per bottom), whether at textile and clothing markets such as Namdaemun or Dongdaemun in Seoul or chain stores all across Korea. Larger sizes can be difficult to find, however, and therefore may cost more in areas that cater to foreigners, such as Itaewon in Seoul.

International retailers such as GAP, UNIQLO, and Giordano carry a wider range of sizes than Korean stores for reasonable prices, and you can also find luxury names at department stores such as Lotte, Hyundai, or Shinsaegae. The cost of luxury items are equally if not more expensive in Korea as they are in Western countries.

How do I seek and attain medical care?

Health care in Korea is extremely cheap compared to health care in the United States. An average doctor’s visit plus a filled prescription costs less than $10. Because you will be covered by Korea’s national health insurance plan while employed, what you pay out of pocket for health care will be even lower.

There are many doctors, dentists, pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals in virtually all neighborhoods around Korea. Usually, you do not need to make an appointment in advance and can see a doctor or dentist as a drop-in patient. If it so happens that the clinic you walked into doesn’t have time to see you that day, then it’s easy to walk across the street and inquire at the neighboring clinic for medical attention.

To see a doctor or dentist, simply bring your national health insurance card and alien registration card with you (you will receive these documents upon registering with the local immigration department). It helps if you’re able to have somebody translate your ailment to the doctor, but most doctors are able to speak some amount of English and communicate with you.

What can I do on the weekends? Is there anything interesting to do, or will I just be working all the time?

There are lots of things you can do when you’re not at work! One of the great things about Korea is that in addition to all the historical and cultural attractions throughout the peninsula, even the smallest cities have coffee shops, bars, movie theaters, PC rooms, and shopping centers where people can hang out and relax. There is never a lack of things to do while in Korea, and because the country is relatively small and has excellent bus and rail systems, you can easily take a day trip to another city and explore what that city has to offer!

How late do places stay open in Korea? What if I need something in the middle of the night?

Just like in your home country, the bank, post office, and other government offices close at approximately 5:00 p.m. Most other places, though, stay open until at least 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m., if not later, including restaurants, cafes, bookstores, movie theaters, and supermarkets. Some places, such as bars, karaoke rooms, and billiard halls, stay open well past midnight, while other places—PC rooms and jjimjilbang (public bathhouses), for example—are typically open 24 hours a day. And, there are plenty of 24-hour convenience stores in every neighborhood all throughout Korea, including 7-Eleven, GS 25, Family Mart, and others should you ever need a midnight snack, international calling card, or bar of soap in the middle of the night.

Are there any Western stores in Korea?

Absolutely! Some places from the West that have made their way to Korea include Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Costco, Forever 21, TGIF, 7-Eleven, Pizza Hut, Baskin Robbins, GAP, KFC, Burger King… the list goes on! If you get very home sick, you can always make a visit to Itaewon in Seoul, arguably the most international and diverse neighborhood in Korea.

What are holidays in Korea like? Does everything close?

Good question—holidays in Korea are both similar and different to those, for example, in the United States. Even on the most important Korean holidays—Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)—movie theaters are typically open for business and downtowns come alive toward the evening.While Western holidays, such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve, are increasingly more commonly celebrated in Korea, business goes on as usual on these days.

Is it safe to travel alone?

Korea is a very safe country and it is perfectly safe for travelers, whether male or female, to take the bus, subway, or train alone anytime. However, just as there are certain neighborhoods back home that you know to avoid, so in Korea are there areas that are best avoided at night. Also, be aware that it is not a good idea to spend the night at the train station as that is where the homeless tend to stay (and many homeless beggars in Korea are very aggressive).

Do I need to speak Korean to get around and communicate?

While it would be very helpful and a nice gesture to locals to learn a few Korean phrases to use while living in Korea, it is not necessary to be able to speak Korean to be able to get around and communicate. English signage is more and more visible and commonly used in Korea, even in the rural countryside, and there is an increasing number of young Koreans who can speak some degree of English.

What if I get lost and can’t speak Korean? What do I do?

If you get lost, stay calm and don’t worry. Try to find a local who appears to be in his or her 20s—usually, they can speak moderately fluent English. When you approach them for help, be sure to speak slowly and use clear pronunciation. Often times, they will be able to understand you but will need some time to construe a response in English before speaking. Try to be patient. If this doesn’t work, then find a phone and dial “1330” for assistance in English.

I don’t know Korean but want to learn. Is it hard?

The Korean alphabet is not difficult to learn—some foreigners are able to learn it in a day, but typically, it takes a week to recognize the alphabet and corresponding sounds. The biggest challenge in learning Korean as an English speaker is the grammatical structure.

Where can I learn Korean?

Why, you can learn Korean through us, of course! We know how frustrating and inconvenient it is to live with hindered communication skills, so LiveEnglish offers free, practical and useful Korean lessons every week at our office in Seoul. If you’re not able to come to our free classes, then you can find many teach-yourself-Korean textbooks and CDs at big bookstores such as Bandi and Luni’s or Kyobo. You can also see if a local Korean is interested in doing a language exchange with you—chances are, there will be plenty of Koreans who are eager to practice their English skills with a native speaker!

How do people commute around the city?

This depends on which city you live in—if you live in the Seoul region, Busan, Daegu, or Daejeon, then you have the option of a subway system. All other cities have public bus systems and private taxis, both of which are very cheap to take. Taking the bus may be daunting at first because everything is in Korean, but it doesn’t take long to recognize landmarks and buildings. To take a taxi, simply tell the driver where you’d like to go and he will take you there.

How can I travel between cities in Korea?

It is very easy to travel all across Korea because of an excellent public rail system and many private intercity bus operators. There are also domestic flights that originate from Gimpo Airport.

Taking the bus is probably the most popular mode of transit— many Koreans opt for the bus when traveling to visit family over big holidays such as Seollal (Lunar New Year) or Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). Most cities have one if not two intercity bus terminals with signs in Korean and English which list the destination cities, the departure times, and the fare. The price of a bus ticket depends on where you go and how far the distance is (a two hour bus ride, on average, costs $15).

Because many provinces in Korea are divided by mountain ranges, the train is slightly less convenient than the bus when traveling between cities. This is because the railroads were constructed according to the geography and landscape of the peninsula. Most cities have a train station and, like the bus terminals, have signs in Korean and English which display the destinations and ticket prices.

Finally, if you’re traveling from the northern region of Korea to the southern coast, it may be a good idea to take a one hour flight in lieu of a four hour bus ride.