What inspired you to work for LTL Language School?
What drew me to LTL is the combination of things I love most: a language-driven mission, an international environment, and a team of genuinely enthusiastic people with interesting stories to tell. There's something special about being surrounded by individuals who are passionate about connecting cultures through language. I also got to meet a lot of curious minds from all over the world, and through everyday convo with them, I felt inspired a lot.
But what inspires me most is the chance to give back. I remember what it felt like to be a foreigner in Korea, figuring things out one step at a time. Working at LTL allows me to help other foreigners feel supported and empowered, which is the way I once wished I had been. That sense of purpose is what drives my creativity every single day.
Food—reward for the hustle. 😁
What advice would you give your pre-travel self?
Don't be afraid of the language barrier. It will frustrate you, humble you, and eventually become one of your greatest strengths. Embrace the discomfort, because that's exactly where growth lives.
Be patient with yourself. Adjusting to a new culture takes time, and it's okay to feel lost. Seek connections; the people you meet along the way will shape you more than any textbook ever could. Most importantly, trust the journey. Every challenge, every awkward moment, every small victory is building a version of you that's braver, more open, and more empathetic than you ever expected to be.
Being in the country, in an immersion environment, creates the biggest difference in learning the language. Me, before coming to Korea spoke zero Korean, would never have imagined I would be working here 7 years later.
Why should someone choose LTL over competitors?
At LTL, we don't just teach language, we create an experience. There are a few things that truly set us apart from other language schools out there.
First, our classes are small and flexible by design. We believe that real language learning happens through genuine interaction, not in overcrowded classrooms where you're just another face in the crowd. Smaller class sizes mean more personalized attention, more speaking time, and faster, more meaningful progress for every student.
Good food, good mood.
Second, learning at LTL is actually fun. Our activities and events are things we genuinely enjoy ourselves as staff, which means the energy is always real and the enthusiasm is contagious. When your teachers and organizers are just as excited as you are, it shows.
But, perhaps, what makes LTL most unique is our team. A large portion of our staff are foreigners living in Korea ourselves. We've navigated the visa processes, the culture shock, the language barriers, and the beautiful chaos of building a life in a new country. That means we don't just understand what our students are going through; we've lived it. We bring a level of empathy and genuine relatability to our work that's hard to find anywhere else.
At LTL, you're not just a student. You're part of a community built by people who truly get it.
What is your organization's mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?
LTL Language School's mission is simple but meaningful: to help students have the best possible experience living in Korea. We believe learning a language is about so much more than grammar; it's about unlocking a new world of culture, connection, and belonging.
As a digital content creator, I contribute to that mission through the stories I tell, making sure anyone looking for language support in Korea can find LTL and feel instantly welcomed. Through authentic storytelling and engaging content, I help reflect the warm community we've built.
But the mission doesn't stop at the classroom door. From exciting activities to an inclusive environment, every team member plays a role in making sure students don't just learn Korean, they truly thrive in Korea. That's something we wake up committed to every single day.
Good food and good company – that's all you need.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I want them to walk away with real confidence in Korea. That moment when you can hold a conversation or navigate a situation entirely in Korean is incredibly empowering and stays with you long after the program ends.
Beyond language, I hope they gain a genuine appreciation of Korean culture. Engaging with it on a deeper level makes the entire experience so much more meaningful.
Most importantly, I hope they find their people. LTL is built around community, and I want every participant to leave with a sense of belonging, knowing they were welcomed and supported throughout their journey.
Also, above all, I hope they carry fond memories and lifelong friendships from this chapter of their lives. The best takeaway isn't just a language certificate, it's an experience they'll never forget.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Work hard. Party harder.
Immersing yourself in a different culture challenges your assumptions and expands your understanding of the world. That's where empathy is born. You stop seeing "different" as strange and start seeing it as simply another beautiful way of being human, an open-mindedness that reshapes the way you show up in life long after you return home.
And then, there are the people. Connections made across borders are unlike any others, built on curiosity, mutual respect, and shared experience. Those friendships tend to last a lifetime.
Having lived that journey myself, moving from Hanoi to Seoul, I can say with certainty that the world feels smaller and kinder when you've truly connected with it. You would be amazed by how different you see things in life!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Honestly, I'm not someone who travels for the sake of traveling. I was never a big fan of traveling itself. I don't chase destinations or collect passport stamps. For me, meaningful travel has always been about the people you meet along the way.
For me, being in Seoul for 7 years wasn't just a change of scenery; it was a gateway to some of the most genuine, lasting connections of my life. The friendships I've built across cultures have shaped me in ways that no landmark or tourist attraction ever could. I learned a lot about this country's culture, but also the new points of view on my hometown.
To me, meaningful travel is less about where you go and more about who you become through the people you meet there.
Dinner is better when we're together.
