Korean Job Discussion Forums

PatrickGHBusan

Open discussion on this...if you were an expat in Korea and left (married to a Korean or not) did you return since you left and how long? for what purpose (work? visiting friends? fun?...)

Died By Bear · Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 7:36 am Post subject:

We left in '11. Hoping to hit Japan and Korea on a 3 week Hokkaido/Tokyo/Seoul/Busan foodie vaca' next October.

Neil · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: Tokyo

Left in 08 (from memory) being nearby I used to pop back once a year to visit friends. Now most of those friends have either left or settled down with families it's been 2 years since my last trip back and I doubt I'll be back anytime soon. Still it's an interesting country and I may consider returning there to work if things ever go *beep* up here so still check in at daves and marmots hole every now and then to see how life in Korea is holding up for the noble waygukin.

PBEnglish · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Location: Shanghai

I left Korea in 2008 (after spending three years living there). I moved from Korea to Italy and have since moved back to Asia (now in Shanghai). I've been back to Korea twice since I've been back. I plan on going back in May (as May was always my favorite time of year in Korea).
First time I came back was during a very long layover (13+ hours), second time was over a weekend. Both times were to see friends I had made during my 3 years there.
Can't wait to get back again!

misher · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

Left in 2011. Looking to come back this year through work for a few weeks.

son of coco · Joined: 14 Mar 2008

Left in January 2011, am coming back with my wife for the first time since then in 3 days. Am looking forward to it, as it will be a holiday this time. Will be interesting to see how long the feelings of joy last haha

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Quit teaching in Korea in '08.

Still do consulting and return for about 14-16 weeks per year (E7).

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PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 9:53 am Post subject:

Interesting responses.

We left in 08 and have returned every year or so for a family visit. We usually stay 3-5 weeks depending on available vacation time, money and our kids school and activities.

I have also been to Korea for my work a few times over the years, sometimes more than once in a calendar year.

Ginormousaurus · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit

I left in August of 2009 and returned the next year to visit my gf (now wife) from May to August. I haven't been back since.

I'll be returning maybe in 2016 to have our Korean wedding.

Newbie · Joined: 07 Feb 2003

Wife, daughter#1 and I left in November 2008.

We all visited for 10 days in early 2010.

My wife and daughter#1 visited for a month in June 2011.

None of us have been back since, but the parent in laws have come multiple times: early 2009, summer 2010, summer 2012, summer 2013.

This March I'm likely going with the wife, daughter#1 and daughter#2. Myself and daughter #1 for two weeks, wife and daughter#2 for a month. #2 is just 5 months old so she has to go get introduced to the extended family.

I'm actually really looking forward to the trip. I haven't been in a while, and my wife is an only child, so her family (now that they realize they're stuck with me!) spoil me like you wouldn't believe.

ThePoet · Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 2:48 pm Post subject:

I left in Feb, 2008 and my wife and I spent 2 hours at Incheon airport waiting for our connecting flight to Manila in Feb, 2013. No plans to return for vacation or extended time ever.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 2:56 pm Post subject:

matthews_world · Joined: 15 Feb 2003

Arrived after the World Cup in winter 2002, left Sept. 2012 and visited family for awhile for a month.

Soon found a job in China outside Shanghai with a large private English chain and got dicked around. In a public school at the moment but the experience isn't as good as Korean ones.

Left because I didn't enjoy the freezing winters and the boring women and K culture there.

Chinese are much more laid back with foreigners. Don't get the comments here. The language, though, is quite difficult. Need to start studying.

Immigration is super-strict with their new visa restrictions regarding employment. Around 7,000 "cowboy" teachers were dropped from teaching positions in the country after new visa requirements went into effect the end of 2013.

I'm planning on marrying my doctor girlfriend, semi-retiring from teaching (freelancing) as I still enjoy students and maybe getting into real estate investing here.

Might be a job opening here if my girlfriend finds a position in Shanghai.

World Traveler · Joined: 29 May 2009

nate1983 · Joined: 30 Mar 2008

Came in 2008, left in 2010. Came back to work in my former employer's Seoul office for 5 months in 2012. Have made a few other stops through as well for vacation. Possibly returning with my new company indefinitely in a few weeks.