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First, it is important to realize that traveling and working abroad are entirely different experiences. A vacation is short lived and filled with high emotions. In addition, the focus in both is distinct; in the vacation setting, it is normal to explore the environment as opposed to getting familiar with the people and building relationships which is the core focus in long-term living situation.
Although I have not lived anywhere long-term other than in South Korea, I encourage others to do the same because the experience is life changing. I had my eyes opened to experiences that I could not have imagined before. Moving abroad does not mean you need to sacrifice; it may be that you actually gain more than you realize you could.
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Culture:
- Korean people are very helpful by nature- genuine and happy
- Personal wellness is put before business- do not be afraid to let your boss know when you are not well
- It is normal to work long hours
- Learning English is important; although, it may be hard to find someone who speaks it- try writing it out as some know it that way rather than through hearing
Housing:
- Housing is rather expensive in Seoul and reasonable in the suburbs- 'gems' can be found in Seoul at a price worth it though
- Overall quality can vary depending on the landlord- apartments typically rented by foreigners will be high quality
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- A shopping paradise with abundance of shops with cheap prices- foreigner friendly
- Beauty/specialty shopping madness- specialty shops carry products that even the U.S. does not (i.e. products known for terrible scents smell amazing, etc)
- Many shops all in one place- Korea is small so expansion goes upward rather than outward
- It can be overwhelming scanning all of the signs for all the shops in even a single building; however, exploring it is exciting
- Western and Eastern style restaurants are nearly everywhere
Transportation:
- More public transportation options by bus or train that even travel to the suburbs of Seoul
- Time intervals can be anywhere from 10-15 minutes even for the longer routes (including the stops in the suburbs)
- Electronic signs show the amount of time until the next buses arrive
- Buses are frequent and never late, so public transportation makes more sense than it does in the U.S.
- Travel information available in English and other languages as well
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- South Korea is a small country filled with nearby spots to explore- 1 day or 2 day getaways are possible
- International travel is easier as there are more countries at a closer distance
- Travel agencies are perfect for finding great international travel deals since they have the inside information that Korea offers