This year hasn’t been the right year for traveling abroad. This is true for everyone everywhere in the world. One can travel for business, but for pleasure and family visits, then it is hard. In my case, I am used to taking some time off to visit family yearly. I had my vacation dates set aside well in advance. They were plans made pre-covid. So, of course, those plans were canceled once covid struck. As an English teacher and the faculty manager of two branches, I don’t have the time to travel to my family in the US. In order to spend two weeks with family, I would have to request four weeks off! The additional two weeks is due to the mandatory two week quarantine for those entering the country from abroad. So, I truly thought seeing my family this year was going to be impossible.
Read MoreTeachers Share their Experiences While Living Abroad!
Tags: hosting visitors in Korea, living in Korea, communicating with family back home, family in korea, COVID-19, teaching during covid-19
It's that exciting time when a loved one visits you while you are living and teaching in Korea! There is nothing more fulfilling than sharing a special milestone in your life with a friend or family member who is close to you. However, now the sweat begins... Where do you take them? What itinerary will you create? You have only one day in the bustling city of Seoul, here are some great stops on your must-see and must-do list!
Read MoreTags: hosting visitors in Korea, things to do in Korea, seoul, Trips in Korea, family in korea, Day trips, Trips in Seoul, Seoul secrets, Teach in Seoul, travel, weekend travel, adventure
The friends you make in Korea are probably friends you’ll make for life. Most expats who have lived and taught in Korea can generally agree that Korea bonds friendships in special ways. It has something to do with the Asian factor, the shared teaching experiences, or the adventurous learning moments. The Korean experience shares similarities with the well known term ‘the traveling bond’, yet the major difference being that your friends in Korea are more than just friends… they have or will become your Korean family.
Tags: teaching in Korea, foreigners in korea, friends, family in korea, friends in Korea
During the last few weeks of December and into the New Year, my family came to visit me! They traveled all the way from Las Vegas, NV to spend some time with me in South Korea. Their first stop was Seoul, so I left Busan, my home city, for a weekend to come visit them there. I was excited to introduce them to the ROK!
Tags: seoul, food in Korea, family in korea, Family
I arrived in Korea last July as a wide eyed and somewhat bewildered Westerner who truly had no idea what she was getting herself into. I’m not sure how it’s happened, but in the last nine months I’ve gone from a frightened tourist to a resident of Korea, and now I find myself calling this place my home.
Tags: Japanese, family in korea, Buddist Temples, war, Gangnam, visit, places to see, myeongdong, history of Korea, Weekend activities in Korea
In the months leading up to my sisters’ arrival, friends would frequently ask, “Are you excited?” And I would say, “Of course!” I, however, felt dread. And for the longest time I didn’t understand why. My sisters and I have a great relationship. They are my two favorite people to hang out with. So why was I not excited to see them? Why was I dreading their arrival?
Tags: homesick, family in korea