Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ice Tea]

Sounds like you don't have a huge amount of student loans. Go to China! You can both work there. It's more likely you can pick your own place. Less visa nonsense. More vegan food. Live like royalty.

[Stalin84]

I suggest living outside of Seoul. You'd get a bigger apartment that way. The further away you live, the bigger apartment you get.

[nicmunny]

This doesn't pertain to your money question... I feel the others have sufficiently answered that (the consensus being that yes, it is possible).

This is just my two cents on being a vegan in Korea...

First, I fully support your strict veganism, but I think you should be warned about how tough it can be.

I'm in no way an expert on Korean cuisine, but because I'm vegetarian and like cooking, I have done some research and learned to make and cook some of it, and I can tell you, that nearly everything has some sort of animal product in it (if it doesn't have visible chunks of meat, it almost always has some sort of seafood product). Including many kinds of gimchi.

Obviously, if you're mostly cooking at home, this won't be much of a problem. But, when you're tired, busy, or Koreans want to take you out to dinner, it gets tough. You won't really be able to eat out (except for some bibimbap and gimbap) because nearly EVERYthing has some sort of animal product in it.

And from my experience, Koreans won't really understand your dietary restrictions.

I don't want to be a debbie downer... I just thought you should have fair warning.

[erinmack]

@Slowmotion is right - I'm not in the position to front the key money, if it really is $10,000 USD.

@creeper1: I'm not expecting a big apartment, but a decent-sized studio would be nice as a bare minimum. As for your "Can't your boyfriend get a degree?" question - sure, but it would take a few years, and as he works in the skilled trades it's not a huge/immediate priority of his. As I noted, he'd probably end up taking community college classes online to stay busy and generate a bit of income - as a Californian, this would net him about $7000k a year in grants. $500 a month or so extra seems like it offset most of his living expenses, given that rent would already be covered, so while it's not equivalent to a full second income, it's close enough.

@willteachforfood - Yeah, I'm expecting to do most of my eating at home. I've traveled pretty extensively in less-than-vegan-friendly countries, and by combining cooking for myself with extensive snacking I'm managed fine.

@IceTea - I actually have a TON of student loans, but due to various forbearances and creative repayment schemes I've managed to keep the amount I'm paying off currently fairly minimal. Re: mainland China - perhaps it would be possible for both of us to work as English teachers there, but my fella's not interested in that kind of work. I've got a good friend teaching in Chongqing through the Peace Corps and she loves it. I considered Taiwan before Korea, but the housing/upfront costs would be more complicated there. It might be a consideration after a year in Korea, however - I agree that Chinese culture tends to be more veg-friendly than Korea will likely prove. Of course, I've only spent time in Shanghai, so my experience is limited to urban/cosmopolitan China.

@nicmunny - My biggest concern, honestly, is navigating my dietary restrictions without offending the locals. I have no problem limiting my restaurants to the handful of veg-friendly places I'm aware of in Seoul, should I end up there, but I've historically loathed being in the position of seeming like an ingrate by being "fussy" or having to turn down food offered me. All the same, this inconvenience isn't enough for me to give up my belief system. If I were to recommend a restaurant if invited to dinner by a colleague or friend, would offense be taken?

[willteachforfood]

I think that unless you're in Seoul, or one of the other big cities, that you'll at the very least have a decent sized studio.

You are not going to offend the locals with your eating habits...they will think that you are weird....but we're foreigners, they think that we're weird already. No matter what you do at the restaurant you're sure to do something that they just can't understand....whether it be order your rice too soon, use too much of this sauce or that sauce, put garlic on the grill, sit funny...whatever....but they won't be "offended".

[Weigookin74]

Ouch! Better you than me!

[nicmunny]

I want to emphasize that everything I say is from my experience and may or may not be representative of Korea as a whole. Also, my outlook is very similar to yours in that I don't want to be seen as fussy, but I'm not willing to compromise my choices about food for this inconvenience.

And yes, as willteachforfood said, you veganism won't be offensive to the locals, but it won't really be understood. I agree that they already think we're strange because we're foreigners, but adding something like vegetarianism/veganism makes you really strange. And just like in the States, it will create a barrier between you and some people, it will pique curiousity in others, and some people will try their best to understand and accommodate (although this category of people might be fewer here than in the States).

Generally, I don't think it would be offensive to recommend a veg-friendly restaurant to a K-colleague or friend, but it really just depends on the dynamic of your relationship (because Korea is a hierarchy, I wouldn't recommend asking/telling your superiors where to eat, but that's just me).

Like a lot of places in the world, eating is a social/communal thing in Korea and I think Koreans really show their love/concern/appreciation with food. So, yeah, you may have some awkward moments of having to decline food when they're just trying to show their love/concern/appreciation in the form of grilled meat.

A few examples:

Last week my husband and I went out to dinner with his Korean side of the family (my husband is half Korean) and despite knowing that we are vegetarians, my husband's uncle brought us to the best bulgogi (marinated beef) restaurant in Busan He said, "Today you make exception and eat meat because this is the best in the city." Repeatedly. And we had to politely decline. Repeatedly. We ate the side dishes (which were completely satisfying).

And then later that week, one of my Korean teachers brought a bunch of gimbap to the office and this particular variety had fish cake in it. Another teacher offered me some and I asked if that was indeed fish cake inside of it. She said yes, I politely declined, she proceeded to pull out the fish cake so that I would eat it. It was pretty cute/funny.

And a few weeks ago we were visiting my husband's Korean aunt's house. This lady lived in New Zealand, speaks great English, and has a pretty good grasp on Western culture. She totally supports our vegetarianism. One morning she made us vegetable soup for breakfast and it was delicious. Just veggies in a clear broth. We were both impressed with the flavor, so we started asking about how to make it, she explained that it was just the veggies, salt, pepper, and water, and eventually the subject changed. I don't know why exactly, maybe the guilt got to her, but the next day she admitted that she had used anchovies to make the broth (she was totally embarrassed).

And a few other practicalities if you do decide to come...

Try to familiarize yourself with what goes into some of the most common Korean dishes. Oftentimes, even if there are no visible chunks of meat, you can bet that it was made with some kind of animal base (beef/anchovy/chicken stock, etc). Accordingly, keep in mind that just because someone tells you something has no meat in it, there is a good chance it does (in my experience what is considered "meat" or "animal" is different here). So, you order a pizza with no meat and it comes out with ham on it. Or you ask if gimchi is vegetarian and they answer "yes, it is a vegetable afterall!" but most gimchi is made with oysters, tiny shrimp, or some other kind of product of the sea that are no longer visible because they sort of dissolve in the fermentation process.

Honestly, if I were you (and if I could do it over again), I would say I was allergic to animal products (especially seafood) because then they know you seriously can't eat it (as opposed to just don't want to eat it). Generally, this is not the kind of approach I take in life, but because of the culture and language barriers I think it might be the better route in Korea.

[Troglodyte]

You also need to consider the cost of visa runs for your partner. Unless he has a visa, he'll need to make a visa run (cheapest destination is Fukuoka, Japan) every 3 months. So consider the cost of 3 visa runs in your budget.

I would also recommend a hogwon over a public school. Although many PS staff won't care what you do at home, some will care that you're "living in sin" and won't allow it. Hogwons on the other hand won't care one bit. As long as you come in to work and keep the kiddies entertained, you could keep a whole harem of young men back at your apartment.

Apartment sizes vary a lot. As others have said, they tend to be smaller in the big cities. In particular Seoul/Gyeonggido and Busan. Nevertheless you can end up with a decent on in Gyeonggido or the suburbs of Busan. Just make sure to ask the school (and get it in writing) before you sign the contract.

I don't think you'll save any money, but I definitely think that a year in Korea is do-able. If you're vegans and non/rare drinkers then you'll be eating at home and probably alone. You probably won't be out socializing much as the major Korean social activities involve or are finished with food and/or alcohol. (Let's face it, most westerners wouldn't normally go to the singing room sober either.) So, you won't be wasting too much money on that type of entertainment. You should even have money to make a few simple trips in your free time.

[Weigookin74]

[erinmack]

@nicmunny:

Your Busan story was funny, thanks for sharing it. It sounds like I should take the "guilty until proven innocent" approach with food in Korea regarding its vegetarian status. Honestly, I think I'm just going to stick to eating at home, the few restaurants, and very obvious snacks (e.g. bread) until I know the rudiments of the language. There are some great blogs out there (like Aliens Day Out) written by others who have navigated this territory well.

@troglodyte:

Interesting perspective, thanks - though I think we'll either get married or he won't come/I won't go at all. As for sober karaoke, I've been doing it for years, and even won a competition - so don't count us teetotalers out just yet!

@weigookin74:

To further clarify, my partner doesn't have a degree, so he won't be teaching.

[naturegirl321]

[mimi belle]

[allovertheplace]

Not trying to be a wet blanket because I understand trying to be with someone.

But, this is a bad idea. What others havnt said is the price of the flight. 1200 bucks seems to be a good fare at this point. So thats one big expenditure. Also, him spending grants to do an online community college program is probably a bad idea. That means after two years of community college he will have debt equal to two years at a four year university. He will also get super bored waiting around for you while you work all day. Personally, I woulnt put my current girlfriend in that position as it would probably become a big issue.

But, if your dead set on this path there are options. One is he work privates. They wont care about a visa since is illegal anyway. He could probably make 1-1.5 million doing those. Another option, if he is taking out the money anyway, maybe he could attend a year of school in korea. There are plenty of overseas students doing an undergrad year. Just figure itd be a year of school for him, a year of work for you, and youd be close.

Other options might be China as stated before, Thailand (get a TESL and at least he could enjoy the sun). Personally, a year in Korea without a job, in a small apartment would SUCK. Also, you would miss out on meeting people which is one of the best things. I know this sounds silly but you would want to get home right after work to see the guy.

And back to the finances, you might save a few thousand dollars at most. But figuring in the flight, his visa runs, etc. it would be tough. Korea probably isnt worth it as it sounds like he has work in Cali. Be together there.

But whatever you choose, good luck and hope it works out.

[bigfourie]

my partner and i are doing a very similar thing at the moment, although iam only starting to study again in june, i was working before i came here with my partner and had saved up some cash to use here.

We get by with what she earns and have a decent place, with some decent electronics.

i just want to warn you and emphasize on what allovertheplace has said.

sitting at home doing nothing drives a person mad, i was working back in SA and now waiting a few months before i can study again... it really makes a person feel useless, in SA i was working, making decent cash supporting myself and paying for my partners studies, after the novelty wears off of being here and no having anything i hit a mild dose of depression.

so i started going through my books a recently studied and redoing them just to keep me busy and started doing my own projects which has helped a bit, also going to start gym again everyday to keep me busy.

I think money wise it will be tight if you sending cash home, but you can make it, just warning you about the emotional problem he might occur.

My wife and i are lucky to have a strong relationship just hope yours is the same

[emmahearst]

you have to do some searching around.