Korea
Country Info - Korea
You probably have many questions about Korea, but don’t know where to start. The following are a list of topics that you might want to think about. Please click on the topic for some basic information. For more detailed information, please click on the following two links below. Remember to check our FAQ page as well.
Topics (in alphabetical order):
Airplane
Banking
Computers/Internet
Driver’s license
Entertainment
Etiquette
Food
Health Insurance
Learning Korean
Money
Telephone/Communications
Transportation
Visas
Airplane – Flying to Korea
From Canada, you can fly directly to Seoul by Air Canada or Korean Air. If you’re flying from the west, it can take between 9 to 10 hours, and from the east, about 14 hours.
Banking
You can set up bank accounts in Korea as long as you have what is called a “Foreign Registration Card”. Teachers apply for and receive this card through an immigration office once they get to Korea. When opening an account, teachers should have this card and their passport.
Once you open an account, most schools will directly deposit your salary into the account. You will have a bank card, which will allow you to access ATM machines.
Computers/Internet
Many teachers bring their own laptops to Korea. However, you can always buy a computer in Korea. Most apartments are ready with cable internet connection, so having internet access is quite easy. There also many public “computer room”’ type places called “PC Bang” where you can access the internet if you do not have your own computer.
Driver’s License
If you are planning on driving in Korea you will want to get an international driver’s license before you depart. These licenses are good for one year, and only renewable if you leave the country once within one year. If you don’t renew, then you will have to get a Korean driver’s license. If you have the necessary requirements, you can get a Korean driver’s license through a simplified process. There will be some fees to pay, some documents to fill out, and a physical exam to be taken.
Entertainment
There are many entertainment options if you are going to be living in a metropolis such as Seoul. For night life, there are restaurants, bars, and clubs. Most open until around midnight, but there are places that are open all night for energetic party goers. There are also other choices of entertainment such as museums, art galleries, theatre, and movies.
Etiquette
Most Korean people understand that as a foreigner, you would not be familiar with all the different customs of Korea. Being in an unfamiliar country, you should observe people, listen to those who have had experience living in Korea, be open to the new customs, and adapt the best you can. Please see the following link on more detailed etiquette in Korea:
Food
Regular grocery stores and supermarkets will usually have everything you need. However, most western brands will not be readily available. Korean people regularly eat rice, meat and fish, vegetables, and fermented and preserved foods. If you love hot and spicy foods, you will definitely enjoy Korean cuisine.
Health Insurance
Your employer will provide you with national health insurance, which will be split 50/50 by you and your employer, equating to about 4% of your salary. If you are also interested in purchasing travel medical insurance in your home country before departing, please contact our travel medical insurance advisor, Mr. Carey Alden of MacNaughton and Ward Insurance. If you would like more information on obtaining travel medical insurance and to hear about the different options of coverage, please see the following link:
http://www.macwardins.com/2Products/travel_medical.html
Carey Alden
Cell: (604) 783-0703
Email: calden@macwardins.com
Website: www.macwardins.com
Learning Korean
Making the effort to learn some Korean before you depart and during your stay in Korea will add to your experience. There are different options to choose from depending on what you want to achieve and what you want to pay. There are university language institutes, private schools, and less costly alternatives such as having a language exchange partner.
Money
Korea is still primarily a cash based society, with major credit cards being used only at large establishments including hotels, restaurants, and department stores.
The Korean currency is called the Won. There are three bills: 1000 Won, 5000 Won, and a 10,000 Won bill. There are four coins: 10 Won, 50 Won, 100 Won, and 500 Won coin.
Telephone/Communications
In many cases your employer will provide you with a mobile phone, but you will have to pay the bill. Landlines are not too common for foreigners, and with the cost of a mobile phone being relatively inexpensive, there is no need for a landline. If you want to make calls back home, there are phone cards you can purchase at any corner store.
Transportation
The public transportation system consists of the subway and buses. The subway is the most convenient way to get around Seoul, and it is easy to recognize as there are 8 different lines and they are marked in different colors. There are also subways in other cities such as Busan, Daeju, Incheon, Gwangju, and Daejon, although not as extensive as the system in Seoul.
Visa
E2 Visa – This is the visa that foreign language teachers need in order to work in Korea.
For official information regarding E2 visas, please see the following link:
For Canadians: http://www.koreanconsulate.on.ca/en/mnu.php?sn=263
For Americans: http://www.koreanconsulatela.org/english/
If you have any questions regarding the above topics, or any other questions, please contact us and we would be happy to assist you.