A personal essay reflecting on the evolving meaning of “go back to your country,” exploring identity, integration, belonging, and the freedom to choose where to build a life across Germany, Vietnam, and Korea.
A concise guide on preparing for a long‑term move to Korea, covering visa research, document preparation, flight tickets, digital organization, temporary accommodation, SIM cards, payment options, essential packing, and first‑week necessities.
A personal story about maintaining and building friendships while living abroad, emphasizing low‑maintenance communication, intentional meet‑ups, and the importance of small, meaningful touches to keep relationships strong despite distance.
The page provides a guide on obtaining the 소득금액증명서 (Income Amount Certificate) in Korea, essential for visa extensions and proving reported income. It outlines the process for issuing the certificate online via HomeTax or
This article discusses the emotional journey of moving abroad as an only child, focusing on the author's experience relocating to Korea. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining connections with parents and friends through regular communication and visits. The author reflects on how the move felt less like a permanent departure and more like a continuation of life, thanks to the support and reassurance from their parents. Overall, the narrative highlights that moving abroad doesn't have to mean leaving family behind, but rather can be seen as an extension of home.
The author shares their experience of their parents visiting Korea for the first time after four years of living there. Instead of typical tourist spots, they focused on showing their daily life, including their neighborhood, routines, and favorite local places. The parents enjoyed the local culture, discovered treasures at Daiso, and appreciated the outdoor gym culture. They found everyday aspects, such as the no-breakfast culture and the peacefulness of the neighborhood, fascinating. Ultimately, the visit helped reassure the parents that their child is thriving in Korea.
The article "Three Perspectives, One Story: How Korea Views Immigration" explores immigration in Korea through three lenses: the political, citizen, and immigrant perspectives. Politicians see immigration as an economic necessity due to labor shortages from an aging population. Citizens often view immigrants as temporary guests, rooted in Korea's homogeneous society. Immigrants themselves seek hope and better opportunities but may struggle for acceptance. The piece emphasizes the importance of seeing immigrants as neighbors rather than outsiders, advocating for a society that values all individuals, fostering harmony and community integration.
This article discusses how to secure a software developer job in Korea, featuring insights from Florian Ludot, founder of Dev Korea. He emphasizes the importance of networking, revealing that 70% of job opportunities come from personal connections. Florian shares his experience in creating Dev Korea to address the challenges faced by non-Korean speakers in finding tech jobs. He highlights the demand for skills in AI/ML, full-stack JavaScript, and C++, while also discussing the realities of Korean work culture and salary expectations. The platform fosters a community for English-speaking developers with resources and events to facilitate networking and job searching in Korea.
The article discusses the systemic disadvantages faced by foreigners in Korea, highlighting challenges such as complex visa processes, banking issues, and cultural barriers. With foreign residents making up only about 5.3% of the population, the systems in place were not designed with them in mind. However, progress is being made, with improvements in online services and banking for foreigners. The author emphasizes the importance of constructive dialogue to foster change and suggests that while foreigners are disadvantaged, the situation is slowly improving as Korea becomes more globalized.
This page discusses job seeking in Korea, featuring insights from job-seeking coach Casimir. It highlights the unique challenges of the Korean job market, emphasizing that traditional job search strategies may not apply. Key topics include the importance of language proficiency (aiming for TOPIK Level 4+), understanding visa sponsorship requirements (including the 5:1 rule), and targeting export-driven Korean companies rather than international firms. The article also outlines the job application process and stresses the advantage of being physically present in Korea during the job search. Overall, it encourages foreign job seekers to thoroughly research the market before applying.
This article provides a comprehensive guide on obtaining various visas for living in Korea, tailored to different age groups and life stages. It discusses options such as the Exchange Student Visa (D-2) for those aged 18-25, the Working Holiday Visa (H-1) and Digital Nomad Visa (F-1-D) for early-career individuals (25-30), and the Startup Visa (D-8-4) and Work Visa (E-7) for established professionals (30-35). Each visa type includes personal experiences, requirements, benefits, and strategic advice, emphasizing the importance of networking and choosing the right visa based on individual circumstances and goals. The article concludes with a reminder that the visa is just the beginning of the journey in Korea.
The article discusses how Christmas is celebrated in Korea, highlighting its differences from Western traditions. In Korea, Christmas is primarily a couples' holiday, focusing on romance rather than family gatherings. While there are Christmas markets and decorations, the celebrations are more commercialized and less about deep traditions. Work continues as usual, with only December 25th recognized as a public holiday. Expats may feel lonely due to the lack of extended holiday time and family gatherings, but they can create their own traditions through community events. The piece concludes that Christmas in Korea offers a unique perspective, allowing individuals to appreciate a different approach to the holiday.
