The notion of recent college graduates joining the Peace Corps, or the military, has long been an easily deferred option for American graduates who couldn’t afford graduate school or who haven’t decided yet what they would be doing with their lives.   Many throughout the past decade have fallen into entry level hell, a place mired in credit card debt from fast life in the big city and inspiring countless stories, comics and episodes of the Office.  And don’t forget, giving life to the belief that the purpose of college was to feed the “cube farm” its drones. 

It’s clear that there are more and more options each year to help defer the Office until syndication, and help your early twentysomethings resemble something positve along the lines of skills development and personal growth.  Teach for America, for instance, has gained significant traction in just a few short years by tapping into the sheer energy and desire for young people to do something meaningful and to give back to others.

Korea adds to that opportunity in 10 ways that will help recent graduates a chance to do that and more.  Here are ten reasons, culled from interviewing 50 American, British, and Australian teachers who have come to spend one year or more to teach English to Korean children, why teaching in Korea works for them.

1. International Experience.  Ask any admissions officer from a law school or graduate school and they will tell you that 1 year or more abroad demonstrates significant personal courage, an open mind, and globalized worldview.
2. Learn a new culture and language.  The Korean language is one of the most challenging Asian languages to learn, and while not on the rise in the world in popularity, it may also present you with many unique opportunities further down the road.  Consider the incoming U.S. Ambassador to Seoul.  She was formerly an English teacher!  Likewise, the Korean culture, as with all cultures, presents both stimulating and memorable chances to step out of the box of “Western life” and into a wholly different kind of place.
3. See the rest of Asia.  With the conclusion of the 2008 Beijing Olympics marking the prominence of China, it definitely presents appealing opportunities for young adults to use modern Seoul as your launching pad to visit China, Vietnam, Thailand, and elsewhere. 
4. Sharpen your focus back on academics.  Partly true to the Asian stereotype (but not absolutely of course) Korean families rely on the strong Confucian value of education.  And in the modern, competitive nation that is South Korea, high academic performance is a must in this society.  You may come to appreciate that sense of importance and gain a newfound appreciation for hitting the books.  Many young adults have used this energy to re-focus themselves for their next academic achievement by studying for professional entrance exams such as the GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT.
5. Practice the art of communication.  Just because you were born in the US or Canada, and can speak English perfectly hardly means you can teach it.  Proper teaching will test your every ability including public speaking skills you thought you never had.  While learning a new language such as Korean you will also find new ways to get your message across.  Try telling a taxi driver in sign language where you want to go!  
6. Save money.  Unlike in major cities throughout North America, rent and the cost of living are not so astronomical that you have to have three roommates.  You can live affordably in a brand spanking new “officetel,” which is a studio apartment.  When I say you can do this, and in a new place, believe me, in places throughout Seoul this is possible. 
7. Lose weight.  No… It’s not what you think.  We’re not talking homesickness like in Goonies, where you have to pack a sock full of candy.  Korean food is cheap, especially when it doesn’t contain beef or meat; it’s healthy, and economical.  It reminds me of the book: Eat Food. Mostly Vegetables. Not Too Much.  That’s Korean food in a nutshell.
8. Learn parental persuasion.  Sounds silly, but the Latin phrase “in loco parentis” comes to mind.  It means in place of the parents, and that’s what teachers do.  They teach while parents work.  When you teach Korean children English, you are gaining a privilege chance to see how kids learn (or a preview of your future abilities as a parent.)  You will be greatly impressed at the difference between pre-Internet learners (us)  and post-Internet learners (them), but more importantly you have the chance to step out of your world and enter into a role of great responsibility.  Try to convince a young boy to do his homework, and you will soon realize that any adult who can accomplish this can persuade even the most obstinate adults.
9. Gain an edge in technology.  With Korea being at the frontline, or warp speed, with high technology gain a preview of the next five years.  Sure iPods rock, but have you ever seen some of the latest stuff Samsung has been making?  Familiarity with toys here would put you far ahead of your friends back home.
10. Become a patriot.  Don’t care about voting, politics, or the American way?  Never cared since American History 101?  Life abroad is a unique experience to actually learn what it means to be a (nationality) since you finally have something to compare it with, and other people’s opinions as well.  Have you ever met anyone with an anti-American view?  You will here as anywhere else outside the U.S., but by the same token you will also find people who (for example, during the Korean War) who will never forget how grateful they are for America.  Here is your opportunity solidify your identity as far as it concerns your passport and more. 

–J.J. is an expat American living in Seoul

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