A gap year in South Korea
Gap years in South Korea
Renowned for its cheap electronics and dog stew, South Korea is not an obvious choice for your Gap year. But the friendly people, low crime-rate and well-paid opportunities entice hundreds of backpackers to this beautiful country every year. The South Koreans’ attitude is perhaps the biggest shock for any Westerner. People work hard, children respect the laws of order and hierarchy, and homes and cars are left unlocked. As an English-speaking visitor you’ll be offered real respect and genuine friendliness. In return, all you have to do is eat a few dried squid tentacles. Are you ready for it?
Gap Year Opportunities
If you want to spend your GAP in South Korea there’s only one thing for it: teach. English is widely studied and there are always opportunities to work, whether you’re teaching children or adults. The country is renowned for its high wages. You’ll be refunded for your travel expenses, and usually provided with an apartment. However, the cushy salary isn’t an easy ride: you’ll be expected to work for upwards of 40 hours per week. South Koreans are notoriously hard-working - their average working week is 55 hours, so you’re getting off lightly.
Getting Around
Travel around Seoul, the Korean capital, is fairly easy, with six subway lines connecting the main areas. Continue your travels by booking tickets at the Express Bus Terminal, from which buses run to the popular cities of Incheon, coastal Busan (best for seafood), Daejon, Daegu, historic Gyeongju, and rural Gwangju. You’ll discover as you traverse the country that its mountainous, volcano-studded interior is as popular as it is beautiful. Trekking is popular with the natives and there are lots of designated National Parks, in the mountains and on the coast.
Teaching English in South Korea
English teachers are privileged members of society in South Korea. Considered essential for anyone who wants to get along in business, English is an extremely valuable asset. Your first position is likely to be in a private language institute (hagwon) but if you stay on, you would do well to seek out a position at a public school or college (which will be even better paid). When looking for a school, make sure it’s established – you can check its reputation by researching online. Salaries are excellent and you can expect to save half for travel or weekend trips – Japan, China and Thailand are all reachable from Korea.
See Seoul
Seoul is a typical Asian city, cosmopolitan, modern, and surrounded with a thick layer of smog. Don’t let that put you off; it has lots of hidden charms beneath the surface. The ‘old city’, buried in the centre of a sea of skyscrapers, has royal palaces, grand architecture and a ‘secret garden’. Other attractions include the Art and War Museums, the Seoul Zoo, and the traditional array of market stalls full of bargains. Tired feet? Try getting scrubbed in a traditional Korean bathhouse. You can also explore the spectrum of Korean food here – among the delicacies like chicken feet and stewed dog (which backpackers dare one another to eat), you can enjoy Korean, Japanese and Chinese fare.