Teachers Share their Experiences While Living Abroad!

Cindy Ung is a ChungDahm Learning alumnus whom I met during our training week back in the winter of 2011. Not only have I had the privilege of being friends with Cindy, she also introduced me to Aclipse Recruiting. Originally from New York City, Cindy studied at Rutgers University where she was able to learn about teaching opportunities in Korea. Wanting to broaden her perspectives of the world, she lived and worked for ChungDahm in Seoul for two years and since leaving ChungDahm over 3 years ago, she has become a successful real estate agent in New York City. However, every year during her vacation she always opts to come back and visit Seoul for the week. When I ask her why doesn’t she go travel to another country, she always says that that Korea has become her second home. For many of us teaching in Korea, I think Korea will always have a special place in our hearts just like hers. Below are Cindy’s top 5 reasons why she continues to come back to Korea.

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Tags: korean fashion, ewha womens university, shopping in Korea, food in Korea, friends, partying in Seoul, hongdae, party, Cafe, Gangnam, myeongdong, internet cafe, fashion, Seoul partying, dog cafes in korea

Hongdae, Gangnam, Itaewon - these are the where the majority of foreigners would like to spend their weekends drinking and relaxing. However, sometimes the best places are literally right in your neighborhood. Although many people do not know about Cheonho, if you you decide to teach English in Korea and are placed in this neighborhood,  here are the top nightlife attractions in Cheonho  to dine, drink and unwind. 

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Tags: Teach Abroad, what to do on the weekend, what to do in korea, drinking, self bar, partying in Seoul, karaoke, teacher, noraebang, Teach in Seoul, Korean dish, korean neighborhood, Cheonho, Gangdong, Korean food, korean bars

Halloween is my favorite holiday. And when I say favorite, I mean it. I spend the months before Halloween dreaming of costume possibilities. Then I spend the weeks after scouring the Internet for great ideas for the next year. However, as you might've guessed, Halloween isn't a big holiday in Korea. But, don't let yourself get discouraged -- you won't miss out on getting to celebrate! Here's a glimpse into what I got up to last year, as well as some events I'm eyeing for this year...

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Tags: seoul, halloween, partying in Seoul, hongdae, party, Activities to do in Korea, Holidays in South Korea, Weekend activities in Korea

One of the things I found myself wondering about when I moved to Korea to teach English is what the holidays would be like. Granted holidays can range from the big boys like Christmas, to the ones we celebrate just for the excuse to party (hump day anyone?). Lucky for me and you, Koreans LOVE to party, so most holidays here are celebrated and always a fun time. This past weekend we ventured into Seoul, Gangnam to be exact, for Tomatillo’s Annual Cinco de Mayo party. It was definitely one of my favorite days in Korea and I know that for as long as I stay here, this is where I’ll celebrate Mexican independence.

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Tags: a year in Korea, free time, food in Korea, partying in Seoul, friends in Korea, entertainment in Korea, Gangnam, Relaxing in Korea, Margaritas, Holidays in South Korea

I live and teaching English in Jeju and spend most of my time here. Althought I love the island and am extremely happy here, I occasionally want to get away for a weekend. In fact, that seems to be the way it is with small island-living; people always comment on getting cabin fever or going a little stir-crazy. The most convenient and cheapest place for me to travel for a weekend getaway is Seoul. A round-trip costs around the neighborhood of $100 and I can stay with some fellow Chungdahm teachers when I am there. The flight lasts a little under an hour and I always just breeze right through the airport. When I head for Seoul for the weekend though, I am not looking for peace and relaxation (I get plenty of that on my resort island!). When I head for Seoul, I am looking for big parties and great nights out. Fortunately for me, Seoul is truly the city that never sleeps.

Seoul is actually one of the wildest and craziest cities I have even been to. I have been to lots of mega-cites with reputations of being party places, such as New York, Buenos Aires, Madrid, Istanbul, etc., but none of them have compared to Seoul. I think it is a combination of Seoul's massive population, lax drinking rules, no last-call rules or closing hours, and the huge drinking culture in Korea. All of these factors have come together to create a perfect place to party the weekend away.

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Tags: seoul, partying in Seoul, Nightlife in Korea, Weekend activities in Korea