Teachers Share their Experiences While Living Abroad!

For those who enjoy visiting scenic spots, enjoy nature and like a light workout, then making a stop at Haneul Park should be on your to do list. Haneul translates to sky. It truly fits this park, because one truly has to put the work to rise into the sky in order to get to this location. The park is located in the top of a small mountain. There are three ways to get to the top of the mountain - ride a golf cart, walk the hike or take the stairs. I opted for the hike. While I would of prefered the golf cart ride, I didn’t want to miss out on the chance to enjoy the nature on the way up. Also, there was a long line in order to wait for a golf cart to take me up. I choose the hike over the stairs, because while the stairs look very cool, they look challenging. 

These days it is so cold in Seoul! It’s mid-winter and the outdoor activities are limited. If you are an active and adventurous person like myself, then you’ll be happy to know that there is an indoor game and sports experience spot right outside of Seoul. The place is called Sports Monster. It is located at one of Korea’s largest shopping malls Hannam’s Starfield, which is about an hour and a half away from Gangnam by bus. It is significantly faster if you go by car or taxi. There isn’t a direct subway line that goes out to Hannam. So, I suggest planning a trip out there in advance to account for the transportation time it takes to get there. 

Korean Camping Culture: Making Time in the Great Korean Outdoors

Transition can be a scary thing for people. This is especially so when you are staring down the barrel of moving, not only to a different apartment or city, but an entirely new continent. This inevitably brings us face to face with new culture, language barriers, different foods and different ways to travel. Some people are very excited for all these things; this is what travel means to them. Others view many of these new facets of life with trepidation. 

This summer has been hot and humid. It is during this season that a trip to a water park is ideal! I’ve been living in Seoul for a while now, but I still hadn’t visited a water park until recently. Now I’m excited to share the details of the experience. 

The summers in Korea can be rather hot and humid. While I was born and raised in sunny California, the difference is the humidity. In California are hot and dry. Thus, as the humidity is finally coming in at full strength, I quickly planned a weekend trip to the coast! 

In the past, I’ve traveled to several popular coastal locations - Gangneung, Samcheok, Yeosu and Jeju. However, this time I wanted to seek out a lesser known area. Thus, I choose Taean - specifically Anmyeon! It is only two and a half away from Seoul’s Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul. So as I like to do, I’ll break down the highlights of the trip.

All of South Korea has many mountains. Thus, it is no wonder that one of Korea's favorite pastimes is to go for a nice hike. Now, I am used to hiking, because in my hometown in California, I lived in a valley. Still, those mountains do not compare to the size or the beauty of the mountains in Korea. While there are various famous hikes in Korea for the more experienced hikers, I would like to introduce a hiking trail that is great for beginners who want to work their way into becoming a local hiking expert in the near future.

It’s finally that time of year again - spring! The weather is nice out, the sky is clear, and the sun is shining. What marks the beginning of the season the most in Korea is the long awaited and short lived cherry blossoms blooming. I live next to a main street lined with these amazingly beautiful trees. Walking to work these days has been very peaceful and relaxing due to the sight and smell of cherry blossoms.

The cherry blossom forecast date predictions occur about a month before its time for them to bloom. Depending upon which area you are living in, the time frame to enjoy the cherry blossoms is slightly different. Unusually, the time to see cherry blossoms when they are the most enchanting is in early April. Being informed about when the expected cherry blossom season occurs in advance is a must, so that one can plan accordingly considering the experience only last about two weeks. Only two weeks. Sad. I know. Still, these two weeks are when traveling around Korea on fun weekend adventures will result in the best photos that you can show off with.

The following are five locations around Korea that offer the best cherry blossom festival experiences. Enjoy!

The other weekend I had the opportunity to get out of the city for a day and hit the slopes of one of Korea's many mountains.  Whether you are an avid skier or snowboarder, or just looking to try a new activity, I highly recommend trying this winter sport during your time teaching in Korea.  Going for a day, or even a full weekend, to one of Korea's ski resorts is a great way to stay active, enjoy the outdoors, and be able to experience some of the best views Korea has to offer.  In this blog I will not only write about my personal experience, but I will also give you insights into how to plan a trip, along with providing some information about a three of the mountains you can visit.

Fall is Korea's best season! The weather is cooler and the countryside is sprinkled with a palette of Autumn hues and on every street corner there is the constant smell of roasted chestnuts and crisp air.  Last week Korea celebrated the Chuseok holiday which leaves a festive atmosphere looming over the country and is one of the first signs Fall has arrived. As a person who has now spent multiple years living and teaching in Korea, I want to provide you with a list of my three favorite Fall activities you should try to ensure you enjoy the final season before the cold of Winter arrives.  

I have previously written blogs about fun outdoor activities to do in Korea, and today I wanted write about another adventure that I highly recommend for those outdoor enthusiasts to do during their time teaching in Korea.  Recently I visited Igidae Park for the fourth time, which is conveniently located less than an hour outside my current city of Busan. Having been reared in the countryside of South Carolina, city life can become overwhelming for me so I am always lookng for new ways to enjoy nature. Igidae Park is an assuring breath of fresh air and provides a two hour walk along the coast of the East Sea. The scenery is impeccable and on clear days you can faintly see the outline of Japan’s coast.