In the late 14th century, Seoul, the Land of the Morning Calm, chosen as the capital of the Chosun Dynasty because of the natural vitality brought about by the mountains and waterways. Today, it’s the home of ten million people and the cultural, economic, and political center of South Korea, attracting many ex-patriots worldwide. Stratford Management Inc review expat life and what makes Seoul Korea unlikely haven.
Seoul Expat Process
Seoul may not be the ultimate choice of a jet-setting expat, but the capital of South Korea has astounding energy, making it a captivating destination for foreign professionals. In early 2000, US military personnel and English-language teachers make up the local expat community. But things have changed, foreigners come to learn Korean or start their businesses in the city.
When it comes to bringing expats in Seoul, people perceive the process as strict. Headhunting agencies need to prove to the Korean authorities that they made all efforts out to hire a Korean for a vacant position first. If no Korea citizen can fill up the post, then that’s the only time that a foreign national can get the job. Stratford Management Inc review expat life and how these policies impact how many expats can live in Seoul at a time.
Seoul Life for Expats
According to Paul Carver, the head of the Seoul Global Center and a British expat, Seoul is a 24-hour city with a lot of things to offer to foreign residents. The 2017 Quality of Living placed South Korean’s capital at number 76 and rank 36 for a similar poll conducted by the HSBC Expat Explorer. According to the 2017 Cost of Living Index of the Economist Intelligence Unit, the city ranked the sixth most expensive city worldwide.
David Carruth, a Korean-to-English translator, and a US expat, says that an expat should have an open mind when it comes to the cultural differences. For instance, an expat may insist on clocking out at the time agreed on the work contract, but a Korean employee will still stay in the office until the supervisor says or gives a clue that it’s okay to leave.
Expats can make the most working and living in Seoul by learning the local language too. While many restaurant signages and menu come in English versions, speaking to waiters and servers would mean needing some basic knowledge on the Korean language. Also, other essential services, such as healthcare, would involve interacting with doctors and nurses in Korean too. Stratford Management Inc review expat life, and that’s why it pays off learning the local language on your own or attending a short course on the Korean language.
But there’s an advantage of the smaller expat population in Seoul to foreign job seekers. An expat might always encounter familiar faces. South Korean firms and some international companies offer expat packages with varying conditions, and usually work permit is highly dependent on the sponsorship of the company that will hire the expat.
Other Options
The education industry is the biggest employer of teachers, primarily English-speaking expats. While studying, students are allowed to hold part-time jobs. Indeed, some things could make an expat’s life in Korea unlikely heaven but also some benefits and exceptional work and life experiences unique in the Korean peninsula.