South Korea Basic Travel Guide - Level Up (Ep. 15)

[gokuuzamaki1]

excuse me is it expensive and difficult to find a place in korea,

also is it hard to contact your family from there?

[aburningpromise]

Do you have to be fluent in korean to teach Koreans English?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@aburningpromise Oh, not at all. In fact, it's against the rules at most schools for foreign teachers to use Korean. They want students to be exposed to a pure English environment. Check out my "Can I Teach English in Korea?" video if you are interested in applying.

Good luck and thanks for watching!

[123gwf]

I've been told that Koreans expect workers to be incredibly subordinate to their employer (even more so than in the u.s., if that's possible). Is that true?

Also, this same person told me that Koreans consider it confrontational to make a lot of eye contact when speaking to them. Is that right?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@123gwf Koreans tend to place a lot of importance on age and seniority. For that reason, questioning one's boss (especially since they sponsor your visa) is generally not advised. You just have to hope you get a job for a well-managed company that will treat you right. Also, making too much direct eye contact with an elder could be considered offensive. Korea is a little different, but a respectful, hard-working attitude is all you really need to coexist. Thanks for the questions!

[deck2233]

Don't take the black cabs from Incheon. Also learn the subway and bus schedules. Drink bottled water when you first get there. Know the won exchange rates. Learn basic phrases. Also get a humidifier. Bring hand sanitizer when you go eat. Try to blend in as much as possible through language,dress, and cultural respect. It makes a big difference.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@deck2233 Those are good tips as well. Thanks so much!

[Biznetzy]

Always a hit from GreenEggsAndHamster!!

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing :)

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@Biznetzy Thanks for watching, Biznetz!!!! I really appreciate it!

[vainbadkitty]

I want a set of metal chopsticks!!!!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@vainbadkitty Yes, metal chopsticks are awesome! Thanks for watching!

[brinelaxE3]

Great video! By the way I really like the music you have in your videos

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@brinelaxE3 Thanks! All of the videos in this "Level Up" series, and quite a few of the "TimeLapseForay" videos, has music made by me or my sister. I'm so happy you like it!

[qiranger]

Great tips G!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@qiranger Thanks, Steve! As always, I really appreciate it!

[chrismecking]

very good and informative video!! Thank's for this basic...but important informations!!

Yeah, I have heard about that tourist phone number!!! Pretty good thing!! When I visit Korea, this is going to be my number 1 in my phonebook :D

And now...going to check out your Subway guide ;) Looking foreward to your new footage!!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@chrismecking Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[Nemesis093781]

Thank you for the video, if i happen to take a trip off the beaten path I should take a roll of TP with me. I would not have known about that if you had not mentioned it.

Thank you for the video.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@Nemesis093781 Not a problem! I'm here to help you avoid uncomfortable situations! Haha! Thanks for watching!

[CapChronic]

Cool video

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@CapChronic Thanks! I'm happy you enjoyed it!

[roxanneworld11]

I look forward to spending a lot of time in Korea. It will be interesting to witness the way customer service is handled there.

& Wowza!: squat toilets seem to be the hot topic! I've already extolled the virtues of them on a few other K-vlogger channels that addressed it, so I won't do it again here. But after working many years in the health care field I'm convinced that we need to go back to the old-school way of 'elimination.' But with soap, water + hand drying supplies in abundance.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@roxanneworld11 Yes, I agree squat toilets are probably healthier. I just addressed them so people know what to expect. I didn't anticipate encountering the restroom conditions here before I arrived, so it was quite surprising. I hope you have a great time in Korea! Thanks so much for watching!

[roxanneworld11]

haha!. you were very diplomatic re: customer service issues in the USA. Things have definitely changed there since 'the old days.',. It's astounding some of the things I've seen happening (and/or directly experienced).

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@roxanneworld11 I agree, customer service in the US leaves a lot to be desired. Korean customer service is one of the things I will miss the most when I go home. Thanks for the comment!

[TyYann]

Great video! As for the tap water, I don't drink it because it tastes awfully bad.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@TyYann I agree! Thanks for watching!

[EvannRachel]

I second the airport exchange, so easy and the fees aren't THAT bad. Same for Korea being safe and trustworthy! Great stuff sir.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@EvannRachel Thanks! Yeah, I really like feeling safe in a huge city. It's great!

[destructicon500]

So do people just drink bottled water? Or would boiling & filtering be okay?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@destructicon500 Yes, I drink bottled water at home. My friend boils hers, but I find that doesn't really improve the taste. Filtering could be an option. A 2 liter bottle is under a dollar, so that's the way I go. Plus, they're really good about recycling here, so I have no guilt about all the empty bottles. Most businesses have machines (similar to a water cooler you see in an office) that dispense cold or really hot water (awesome for ramen!), so I don't need to carry a bottle around at work.

[waterflowzz]

Great video! keep it coming.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@waterflowzz Thanks! Keep watching for more.

[chupamiubre]

wait is that a combo range and washing machine?

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@chupamiubre Haha! Yes, it is! Good eye! The washer is super-efficient and will even dry, but I use a laundry drying rack (also common here) to save energy. Many family apartments have ovens, but most furnished ones (for students or foreign teachers) do not. It doesn't bother me because I usually eat at restaurants. It's so cheap!

[chupamiubre]

@GreenEggsAndHamster all i know is i want one.

[analogbob]

thanks! i'm in the process of looking for work over there. so i will be looking forward to your next vid.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@analogbob Great! I'm happy you found it helpful!

[Jovante007]

Thanks again for making this one, it's great to have this information before heading over...I'm looking forward to the next episode!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@Jovante007 Good to hear it was helpful! Keep watching for more info! I plan on answering all of the questions you messaged me about. Thanks again!

[starorb]

yay i have been waiting for an episode like this :) thx

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@starorb You're very welcome! Thank you so much for watching!

[Jovante007]

great

[BusanKevin]

Great video. Lots of awesome information for people thinking of coming to Korea!

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@BusanKevin Thanks so much, Kevin! Since you haven't been here for a while, I think you'll find my next video more interesting. The requirements for teaching in Korea keep getting more and more strict.

[reynoldsair]

wow. korea is a lot like japan... i really knew/know nothing about korea, but it's starting to sound familiar.

[GreenEggsAndHamster]

@reynoldsair Yes, I've never been to Japan (other than the Tokyo airport), but I've heard it's quite similar, only Japan is more extreme in some ways. Thanks for watching!