The International Schools Review Forum

Thanks for the heads up, all valuable advice.

I've lived in Korea for 4+ years. Definitely, get everything you can in writing, regarding working hours, compensation & responsibilities - even then, expect it to be changed. Just part of the work culture here - contracts are the start of an ongoing negotiation, in the mind of Korean employers.

As others have said, Koreans are generally polite, but not particularly warm & friendly. The cost of living is cheap if you live more like a local, or as expensive as any big/capital city if you live more like a Westerner. Renting your own place can be difficult due to the large "key money" deposit you'd have to make up-front (US$5,000 - 10,000+) - though whatever school you work for would probably make that deposit for you. Easy and cheap to travel around S. Korea, hiking is very popular here, as is camping, so if you like the outdoors, you'll probably enjoy living here.

Thanks for the response santacruzin1. Lots of great advice, thanks everyone!