Taking the Leap (and Overcoming the Doubts)
Let me start off by saying that at first, I wasn’t entirely sure if this whole experience was legitimate. When I first told my friends and family about my plans, their initial reaction was along the lines of: "Be careful, you might lose money - or a kidney!"
I put in hours of research just to verify it was real. Once I bit the bullet and submitted my initial application, completed the video call interviews, and met the online support team, the puzzle pieces finally began to fit together. It started to feel real. After paying instalments, submitting video responses, and filling out paperwork, I sat back thinking, "Wow, I’m actually doing this now."
Back in 2023 and 2024, during my final year of university, I kept telling my friends: "I’m going to travel - maybe work abroad so I can earn money while seeing the world." After some searching online, I found TravelBud. A massive amount of planning went into making it happen. To save enough money to cover my costs, I worked extra hours at my regular job in a bingo hall, pooled together my wages and family support, and did a bit of fundraising to prepare for the big leap.
Getting Ready and Jetting Off
Fast forward to March 2025: I finished up my job at the bingo hall and said my goodbyes to family and friends, knowing I wouldn't see them in person for a full year. Getting all the legal documents notarised and sent off to the embassy proved surprisingly straightforward - largely because I had round-the-clock support from the TravelBud team. They were always just an email or video call away to walk me through the submission requirements. I panicked near the end, thinking I had forgotten something, but they put my mind at ease and helped reassure my family about my decision.
After emotional goodbyes at the airport bus drop-off with my Mum, Nan, and Uncle, I made my way through Edinburgh Airport. Waiting at the gate, I stared out at the plane bound for Doha. As my first-ever long-haul flight, flying with Qatar Airways felt incredibly luxurious compared to the budget airlines like EasyJet or Ryanair I was used to!
The food was decent, and the seat was comfortable enough, but my flying anxiety kept my mind running on overdrive, so I barely slept. Instead, I passed the time watching movies and reading books. We landed in Doha near midnight, marking my first time navigating a foreign airport completely solo.
After making my way through security and finding my next gate, I boarded the second long flight to Korea. Unfortunately, I was sick for most of that flight - whether due to nerves or food, I just couldn't settle. Feeling completely drained, I landed at Incheon Airport and headed off to find my pickup driver.
Arriving in Korea: Orientation and Making Friends
The pickup was seamlessly organized by the HandS team. All I had to do was wait in the designated area for my driver, staying in touch via KakaoTalk and WhatsApp.
Rachel's Essential App Recommendations:
- Papago: Essential for live translation.
- Naver Map / KakaoMap: Google Maps does not work properly in Korea, so these are essential for getting around.
- KakaoTalk / WhatsApp: For messaging local contacts and fellow teachers.
These apps were recommended in the pre-arrival handbook, so having them pre-installed made navigating arrival day much easier!
We picked up another teacher joining the March 2025 intake and were shuttled to our shared accommodation. There, I met the people who would become some of my closest friends during my time in Korea. Our cohort included a diverse mix of people from the UK, the US, India, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the Philippines.
Rooms were allocated for up to two people. My assigned roommate initially didn't show up, but eventually, I met Alyssa from Canada. We hit it off quickly and became great friends. During our orientation month, we spent as much time together as possible - hiking, shopping in Myeongdong, eating out, and exploring the nightlife in Hongdae and Itaewon before catching the first morning trains back.
Moving to Ulsan and Stepping Into the Classroom
Once we completed our TEFL training, mastered our teaching techniques, and passed our final assessments, it was time to part ways for our school placements. Most of the group received placements around Seoul, allowing them to easily meet up on weekends. I was placed further south in Ulsan, near Busan. While it was at least a two-hour train ride away from the rest of the group, I adapted quickly (and thankfully, there were no zombies on the train to Busan!)
My school was located in the Buk-gu district of Ulsan. I took over for another teacher from the UK and quickly settled into the daily routine. A typical day involved teaching Kindergarten from 10:00 AM to 2:50 PM, followed by Elementary classes in the late afternoon.
Initially, learning the timetable and adjusting to the lesson flow took a bit of time. The students were naturally shy around a new teacher, so I adjusted my approach to be more animated and engaging. Instead of keeping them glued to their desks filling out workbooks, I introduced interactive crafts, hands-on activities, educational videos (with a special shoutout to Sir David Attenborough), and outdoor playtime when the weather was nice.
Classroom Highlights
- Building Student Confidence: Two quiet students joined around the same time I did. Watching them slowly come out of their shells and engage with the class was incredibly rewarding. Their parents even passed along heartfelt compliments about how much their English had improved!
- Hands-on Science Projects: Science became one of my favourite subjects to teach. We tackled interactive projects like constructing water mills, balloon-powered fire trucks, and toy bows and arrows. Moving the desks aside to run experiments inside or taking the class outside to test their creations made the lessons memorable for everyone.
- Special Events & Celebrations: December was particularly fun because one student realized we shared the same birthday! My co-teacher and students surprised me with gifts and a chocolate cake. We set regular lessons aside for a party filled with games, snacks, and music.
Beyond daily classes, we went on numerous school field trips - visiting kids' cafes, taking golf trips, and going on graduation outings like Gyeongju World amusement park. During monthly theme days, our school auditorium was transformed into creative setups like jungles, doctor's offices, or global cultures where students dressed up and role-played. And when the K-pop Demon Hunters craze hit, the entire hallway echoed with students singing songs on repeat!
Overcoming Challenges and Growing as an Educator
It wasn't always smooth sailing. Like anyone moving across the world, I had moments of homesickness, isolation, language barriers, and challenging days in the classroom. Teaching abroad requires rapid adaptability, fast thinking, and plenty of initiative.
There were days when class materials hadn't arrived yet, or a workbook was finished early. On those occasions, I had to improvise lessons on the spot. For instance, during a unit on "Homes Around the World," the students finished the assigned pages quickly. I extended the activity by having them design their dream homes and present their ideas to the class. I also showed them photos of typical homes in Scotland. They were fascinated by the architectural differences - especially the concept of having front and back gardens, which is rare in urban Korean apartment living!
Another highlight was Open Day in October, when parents visited to observe a live lesson. I planned a module focused on telling time and daily routines. The lesson went smoothly, receiving positive feedback from parents and reflecting well on the school.
Life Beyond the School Gates
Outside of work, I built a solid local network. I connected with another teacher named Rachel who had lived in Ulsan for over three years. She introduced me to hidden local spots and popular expat gathering places. One of my favorite routines was Wednesday burger nights at a downtown bar run by an American-raised Korean host, which offered a comforting touch of home whenever I felt lonely.
During school breaks, I reconnected with my TEFL cohort. Four of us met up for a trip to Busan, exploring Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli, and Gamcheon Culture Village. Busan quickly became my favorite city in Korea - it felt much more relaxed and friendly compared to the fast pace of Seoul.
I also traveled to Jeonju, Ganghwado, Incheon, Gangneung, and Sokcho. Beyond Korea, I traveled to Vietnam with friends for New Year’s Eve, followed by a short trip to Japan before returning home to Scotland. Experiencing the distinct cultures and atmospheres of different Asian countries was an incredible opportunity.
Final Reflections & Advice for Future Teachers
Looking back on my experience, here is the advice I would give to my past self - or anyone thinking about teaching in South Korea:
- Don't be a picky eater: Embrace the local food culture early on.
- Mingle and make connections: The people you meet during orientation can become lifelong friends.
- Explore on your days off: Avoid staying in your apartment during free weekends.
- Learn basic Korean: While not strictly required for teaching, knowing basic phrases makes daily life much smoother, especially in smaller cities.
- Build strong relationships with your students: Acting as both an approachable mentor and a clear instructor helps students feel comfortable and engaged.
- Prioritize safety: Keep an eye on your friends when going out in busy nightlife areas like Hongdae or Itaewon, use trusted transportation, and stay mindful of your surroundings.
- Be brave: Moving abroad can feel daunting, but taking that step opens the door to unforgettable experiences.
