Growing up in Los Angeles, I’d consider myself very health conscious. There is a range to this. LA health can become a parody of itself, with twelve dollar activated charcoal juice and any vegetable you can imagine being “massaged.” Yoga studios charge exorbitant amounts for classes that make you wonder how aligned the practice is from the place it was created. But for each absurdity you encounter when it comes to wellness, there is also gold. While raised in a predominantly Asian and Latinx neighborhood, there was a fruit stand each direction where I could buy a mango bouquet drenched in chili powder and lime as well as decades-old family run acupuncture studios passing down the stunning tradition of cupping therapy. I had the privilege of having access to so much greenery, with mountains skirting through the city, with countless breathtaking hikes that jumped out at you from the freeway. I’d run through the mountains as frequently as I could, so when I got to South Korea, I knew Bukhansan National Park would be my friend. But I was wrong.
Read MoreTeachers Share their Experiences While Living Abroad!
Tags: Korean mountains, hiking in korea, teaching at Chungdahm, Health in Korea, Weekend activities in Korea, hiking in seoul, growing with Chungdahm, teaching at CDL, things to do in seoul, personal growth
5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Everland During the Fall in Korea
Posted on Sun, Oct 15, 2017 @ 12:00 PM
One of my favorite things to do during September-October is to visit Everland Amusement Park in Yongin (a suburb of Seoul). It is the largest amusement park in Korea and there are multiple ways to get there via Express Bus and subway lines. A few friends from my ChungDahm branch decided to take a day trip to Everland to experience what many Koreans claim is the best park in Korea. Below are my my top five reasons you should go to Everland, especially during the Fall season.
Read MoreTags: Everland, Korean mountains, fun days in korea, Day trips, Korean fun
If you haven’t lived and taught English in Korea for long, you quickly realize how important one’s appearance is. Beauty and fashion go hand-in-hand here. Korea is one of the top consumers for make-up/beauty products for both men and women. Unfortunately, buying all of these things can add up quickly and hurt your wallet. Luckily, if you live in Seoul, you can take advantage of the Han River, surrounding mountains, and numerous parks nearby to stay in shape and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Here are some places where you can workout while living on a budget in Korea.
Read MoreTags: seoul, Korean mountains, hiking, Han river, Health in Korea, bike, gym
Being an English Teacher in South Korea is amazing. Not only is the job great, but also there are so many things to see and do. What's more is that you can do many amazing things here in Korea, for free. Whether you want to see a festival, go for a hike or simply watch some body painting. South Korea has it all. In Daegu, South Koreas, third largest city, this is certainly the case. Last weekend, I decided to visit the Local Arboretum. The last time we went here it was autumn, so all of the trees were red, gold and yellow, it was amazing. This time, however, it was spring. The sun was out, it was warm & there were flowers everywhere. What makes this even more awesome is that this area used to be landfill, that's right, a landfill. Around seven years ago, Daegu City decided to turn this wasteland into something useful, and wow did they do just that.
Tags: teaching in Korea, a year in Korea, working in korea, Korean mountains, Better in Korea, Buddist Temples, Daegu, applying to teach English, arriving in korea, abroad, Activities to do in Korea, teaching at Chungdahm, Nightlife in Korea, Weekend activities in Korea
What I love most about Teaching English and living in South Korea, is that there is always some sort of festival going on. Whether its body painting, a lantern festival or a mask festival, South Korea is packed with fun and interesting things to see and do. This season happens to be marathon season, with many marathons happening up and down the country; from Seoul to Daegu and Busan just to name a few!
Tags: teaching in Korea, a year in Korea, drink in Korea, beer, working in korea, Korean mountains, Better in Korea, Foreigner bars, Buddist Temples, Daegu, applying to teach English, arriving in korea, abroad, Activities to do in Korea, teaching at Chungdahm, Nightlife in Korea, Beauty Products in Korea, Weekend activities in Korea
When I came to South Korea to teach English for a year, I was really excited. Not only for the food or the culture or the amazing hiking, but also for the theme parks. South Korea has some of Asia's best theme parks, from Lotte world in Seoul to E-world in Daegu, where I live. Little did I realize, however, just how close my apartment and job would be to one of those Theme Parks. E-world is a Theme Park in Daegu, Korea's third largest city. It is open all year round and depending on seasons it is half water park, ski park and theme park. Not only that, but at night it transforms into a light show, with every tree, every statue, every building covered in illuminations. The other English Teachers and I decided to visit E-world last Sunday:
Tags: teaching in Korea, a year in Korea, drink in Korea, beer, working in korea, Korean mountains, Better in Korea, Foreigner bars, Buddist Temples, Daegu, applying to teach English, arriving in korea, abroad, Activities to do in Korea, teaching at Chungdahm, Nightlife in Korea, Beauty Products in Korea, Weekend activities in Korea
As I mentioned in my previous blog (Sneak Peek into Korea's 3rd Largest City: Daegu), there are many outdoor activities to do, while teaching English in Korea. This blog will look at Hiking. Hiking is very big here in Korea, in fact, it is probably one of the most popular pastimes, dare I say it, it's even more popular than Noribang. One of the reasons why hiking is so big here in Korea, is because of the landscape. In Daegu, where I am living, I am surrounded by mountains. One of my favourites is Apsan Mountain. Apsan, which is a five minute taxi ride away, costs me around €4 or $5 to get to.
Tags: teaching in Korea, a year in Korea, working in korea, Korean mountains, Better in Korea, Buddist Temples, Daegu, applying to teach English, arriving in korea, abroad, Activities to do in Korea, teaching at Chungdahm, Nightlife in Korea, Weekend activities in Korea
My name is John & I have been teaching English in South Korea just over five weeks now. I teach in Wolbae, Daegu. Where is Daegu you ask? Well....This blog will explain all. When I got my contract for Daegu – I thought great, I have my contract I’m ready to go. My second thought was where is Daegu? All I knew was it wasn’t Seoul and it wasn’t Busan.
Tags: teaching in Korea, a year in Korea, drink in Korea, beer, working in korea, Korean mountains, Better in Korea, Foreigner bars, Buddist Temples, Daegu, applying to teach English, arriving in korea, abroad, Activities to do in Korea, teaching at Chungdahm, Nightlife in Korea, Beauty Products in Korea, Weekend activities in Korea
Weekends for Teachers in Korea: Climbing Yongma mountain (용마산)
Posted on Thu, May 03, 2012 @ 11:03 AM
The weather is finally warming up while I'm here teaching in Korea, which means more time spent outdoors! I figured I should get in as much outdoor activities now before the rainy season invades the Korean summer.
Tags: teaching in Korea, a year in Korea, seoul, Korean mountains
In the Winter you will have the chance to see Korea’s beautiful snow capped mountains. My boyfriend came to visit me here during his Winter break, and we went on a trip to Yongpyeong Ski Resort. Yongpyeong is Korea’s largest ski resort with 31 slopes, and has been selected as the host of the 2018 Winter Olympics. My boyfriend and I chose not to go skiing this time around, instead we went mainly to relax and enjoy the scenery.
We took the 6:10am shuttle bus from Jamsil Station number 4. There was another bus for 9am, but we wanted an early start. You will see a crowd of shuttle buses outside of the Lotte Mart all going to Yongpyeong, but check the sign in the front of the bus just in case. The driver will collect the money for your ticket once everyone is seated. It is 15,000 won per person one way, and 28,000 won for a round trip. If you get a ticket for one way, you can purchase your return ticket at the front desk of the Tower Condominium.
Tags: winter in Korea, Korean mountains, Kdrama, Activities to do in Korea, Holidays in South Korea