I came over with roughly 500 dollars and ended up borrowing about 150 via Western Union. Probably could have gotten by with the 500 if I ate more frugally but when you just get here you want to try everything and do things. If you can, bring closer to 1000 but I would consider around 500 to be the lowest realistic minimum.
Thank you so much for going into detail about the bank accounts and phone plans! I haven't come across much information on all that so I appreciate it!! Gogi is so vocal I love it!!
Honestly, your videos have really helped me feel prepared! I have been watching copious amounts of youtube videos and yours have been fun to watch while also being informative. THANKS!! Just had to give some love.
Good to know! Super informative. I'm moving in August and I think I can definitely survive off of 800. I think the excitement and joy of just being able to live in Korea will carry me through to my first check.
OMG THIS IS SO HELPFUL AHHH I STRUGGLED THRU EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE, and 10-12$ is perfect for lunch. i love bibimpab but groceries killed me ahaha i end up shopping at 24/7 convenience stores! i really love this and i need to book mark it for when i'm back, thanks madi!
This was sooo helpful! And yes, I know I'm really late to watching this after I was so hyped for it before. Been totally busy! Anyways, it's nice to hear about the remittance accounts for the first time. I think that will be useful for when trying to pay back student loans. And thank you for talking about exchanging phone sim cards. that seems like a really smart, affordable option if you have a good, working phone to take with you.
This is still helpful even though I am planning to go abroad for a semester in college xD It would probably be a bit different because dorming and visas and such. Gogi is as vocal as always! Your hair looked really pretty this video! ^^
Yeah it'll be a little different for you, I hope it goes well! He was driving me crazy during filming, I had to repeat myself so many times because he was constantly interrupting me! xD Thank you!
I love how vocal the cat is! Madi, do you think you can do a video for visitors? I will be visiting in June and curious to know if you have any advice for tourists.
I guess kind of a little bit of everything. What do YOU think we need to know. What do you think are some must see places or things to try. Are there tourist traps we should avoid. How to make sure we dont get ripped off. I have had multiple people tell me AirBNB is the way to go as far as places to stay, would you agree with that? I've also heard there some way that tourists can get a tax refund for purchases by saving their receipts and filling out the paperwork before they leave, do you have an experience with that? Thanks in advance!
Hey! I'm visiting for a month - I'm attending the ehwa university summer school. So you spent 800 dollars on everthing or was it just food..? I thought 100€ would be enough for a week, but I'm not sure anymore :D I estimated 600-800 € would be enough for a month for food and some shopping; or would that be too tight? (ps 100€ are ~ 109$) thanks for the video =)
does it really take a month to get the registration card? some friends told me it took about 2 weeks or so. i need to get a bank account really fast so i don't know
Lisa Ring in some cases you can open a bank account with your passport. however, you'll be limited with what you can do with the bank account until you get your ARC.
Madi Miso Really? Thats a relief. Thank you, I really thought it would take more than that to really enjoy my time there. I HAVE TO ask, any possibility of meeting fan while he's visiting? Haha 😅
I heard a tale of a student living off nothing but bread dipped in gravy for a year so you are right when you say food costs can't be very precisely estimated.
Through which company did you go to teach in Korea? In other words, which company got you a teaching position or did you apply to each school by yourself?
Sorry I don't really know a lot. My only advice is that maybe you could search for some facebook groups along the lines of 'Christians in Korea' or something like that!
Do you know anything about the settlement allowance? My contract said up to 500,000 but I've heard quite a few stories of people not actually getting that until 2 weeks or more later. I'm unfortunately in a crappy situation that entails going with less than $300, so I'm kind of relying on that settlement allowance.....
The settlement allowance is definitely 500, I had someone at my branch use it as well. Often times your staff will be generous and help you out with expenses as well! :]
Wonderful video, thank you! I've tried to do my own research, but it was very reassuring to hear you talk about expenses. One question - which cellphone provider do you use, I understood 16$ for 1gb right? That is much better than what I saw online 30$ for 300mb and basic texting/calling.
Hey! I wanted to know if you are allowed to bring animals when you are a foreigner teaching English? Like does it depend on what program you use? Does it depend on the animal?
Hey Madi, what organisation are you working for? And what age kiddies to you teach? Sorry you've probably put that somewhere in another video but can't remember!
You can set up an bank account before you get an ARC, You just ask the immigration to get a copy of your ARC number...
How?
How can I do that, because I’m gonna be in Korea at the end of August and taking cash seems to be the safest bet for me right now
I came over with roughly 500 dollars and ended up borrowing about 150 via Western Union. Probably could have gotten by with the 500 if I ate more frugally but when you just get here you want to try everything and do things. If you can, bring closer to 1000 but I would consider around 500 to be the lowest realistic minimum.
Thank you so much for going into detail about the bank accounts and phone plans! I haven't come across much information on all that so I appreciate it!! Gogi is so vocal I love it!!
Of course! I'm glad it was helpful for you ~
Honestly, your videos have really helped me feel prepared! I have been watching copious amounts of youtube videos and yours have been fun to watch while also being informative. THANKS!! Just had to give some love.
The important information ppl never mention 😂 thank you
Good to know! Super informative. I'm moving in August and I think I can definitely survive off of 800. I think the excitement and joy of just being able to live in Korea will carry me through to my first check.
OMG THIS IS SO HELPFUL AHHH I STRUGGLED THRU EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE, and 10-12$ is perfect for lunch. i love bibimpab but groceries killed me ahaha i end up shopping at 24/7 convenience stores! i really love this and i need to book mark it for when i'm back, thanks madi!
This was sooo helpful! And yes, I know I'm really late to watching this after I was so hyped for it before. Been totally busy! Anyways, it's nice to hear about the remittance accounts for the first time. I think that will be useful for when trying to pay back student loans. And thank you for talking about exchanging phone sim cards. that seems like a really smart, affordable option if you have a good, working phone to take with you.
Yes it's very practical if you're paying off loans or still have bills back home! Glad I could be of some help for you! :]
G-market has a US english domain. I order from G-market a few times from the US.
This is still helpful even though I am planning to go abroad for a semester in college xD It would probably be a bit different because dorming and visas and such. Gogi is as vocal as always! Your hair looked really pretty this video! ^^
Yeah it'll be a little different for you, I hope it goes well! He was driving me crazy during filming, I had to repeat myself so many times because he was constantly interrupting me! xD Thank you!
I love how vocal the cat is! Madi, do you think you can do a video for visitors? I will be visiting in June and curious to know if you have any advice for tourists.
jimjaz01 oh lucky u!
Ohh good idea! What specific things do you want to know? Where to go, or budgeting and finding places to stay?
I guess kind of a little bit of everything. What do YOU think we need to know. What do you think are some must see places or things to try. Are there tourist traps we should avoid. How to make sure we dont get ripped off. I have had multiple people tell me AirBNB is the way to go as far as places to stay, would you agree with that? I've also heard there some way that tourists can get a tax refund for purchases by saving their receipts and filling out the paperwork before they leave, do you have an experience with that? Thanks in advance!
thank you for this! I leave in a couple weeks to work in Daegu and was wondering about all this info
Liana P. Jannette from the group chat here. I see I'm not the only one making rounds in YT land for all that first month info! Haha
jannettiee hahaha omg hi!! Ya I think I've watched every video there is about Korea. And I still don't feel prepared
Hey! I'm visiting for a month - I'm attending the ehwa university summer school. So you spent 800 dollars on everthing or was it just food..? I thought 100€ would be enough for a week, but I'm not sure anymore :D I estimated 600-800 € would be enough for a month for food and some shopping; or would that be too tight? (ps 100€ are ~ 109$)
thanks for the video =)
800 dollars total. I think you'll be fine!
Hey Madi, I’m going to Korea to teach in a couple of weeks. How did you order a sim card to be prepared and picked up at incheon?
GMarket has an english option. Also, I got lucky with my ARC card. I got it after a week.
does it really take a month to get the registration card? some friends told me it took about 2 weeks or so. i need to get a bank account really fast so i don't know
Lisa Ring It took me about a month but I'm sure it's not the same for everyone.
Lisa Ring in some cases you can open a bank account with your passport. however, you'll be limited with what you can do with the bank account until you get your ARC.
Enjoy ur budget po
omg the laser pointer, hahaha. thanks for this video ! : )
Visiting this summer too! Is $2000 USD enough for a fun month?
Oh definitely! You'll have lots of room for extra fun things. :D
Madi Miso Really? Thats a relief. Thank you, I really thought it would take more than that to really enjoy my time there. I HAVE TO ask, any possibility of meeting fan while he's visiting? Haha 😅
I heard a tale of a student living off nothing but bread dipped in gravy for a year so you are right when you say food costs can't be very precisely estimated.
I’m confused, if you are only making $1,200 a month on average why spend $1000 a month? Also isn’t this equivalent to less than $10 per hour 😭
Through which company did you go to teach in Korea? In other words, which company got you a teaching position or did you apply to each school by yourself?
Minimum $1000 I think! You for sure want to have enough money to get back home in case it's really not what you expected it to be.
This is awesome~ Thanks :D
I was wondering if you had any tips about finding a church in Korea (mainly Seoul area). Idk if you are religious or not but thought I'd ask.
Sorry I don't really know a lot. My only advice is that maybe you could search for some facebook groups along the lines of 'Christians in Korea' or something like that!
Do you know anything about the settlement allowance? My contract said up to 500,000 but I've heard quite a few stories of people not actually getting that until 2 weeks or more later. I'm unfortunately in a crappy situation that entails going with less than $300, so I'm kind of relying on that settlement allowance.....
The settlement allowance is definitely 500, I had someone at my branch use it as well. Often times your staff will be generous and help you out with expenses as well! :]
Wonderful video, thank you! I've tried to do my own research, but it was very reassuring to hear you talk about expenses. One question - which cellphone provider do you use, I understood 16$ for 1gb right? That is much better than what I saw online 30$ for 300mb and basic texting/calling.
I use a website called Eg Simcard!
How did u get the apartment when u first got there like did ur job provide it for u or did u have it ready for u way before
My company arranged it for me. All of my co-workers lived in the same apartment building!
Hey! I wanted to know if you are allowed to bring animals when you are a foreigner teaching English? Like does it depend on what program you use? Does it depend on the animal?
I was forbade from bringing an animal, it was in my contract. From what I understand most companies don't want you bringing any.
Madi Miso thank you so much
what camera do you use to film your blogs?
to furnish everything in ur apartment.... GO TO DAISO XD
Hey Madi, what organisation are you working for? And what age kiddies to you teach? Sorry you've probably put that somewhere in another video but can't remember!
Olivia Menghini I work for DYB, elementary and middle school, 4th grade - 8th grade. :)
Hi i was thinking of teaching in korea next September, when should I start looking for a job and do the paper work? thanks :)
Is there any indians who study or teach in Korea?
To be honest I don't really see many, although I'm sure they do exist!
Yes indeed I am following Sandira Chetty and she is an English teacher. Lots of tips and great humor.
Do you recommend obtaining a TFEL prior to applying?
It depends on what job you want, check out my How I got my Job in Korea video for more info on that!
Did you have to buy a bed?
hexponi Nope! My apartment came fully furnished.
I like you
YOU LOOK EXTREMELY LIKE MY SISTER AND IT IS VERY WEIRD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My question is: Would your cat lick your blood if you died? Because cats don't love their masters. Actually, their masters are slaves.