Xplore South Korea TEFL Program with Guaranteed Placement

I was teaching in the United States, looking for a change but not knowing what my next steps would be. I found XPLORE after doing some research and it was one of the best things I could have found. Each professor, advisor and program coordinator assigned to me explained everything in detail, every step of the way. I felt reassured and confident by the end, learning more than I expected! Even as I landed and found a teaching position, they kept in contact with me and made sure my experience was positive! I couldn’t recommend a better program! Thank you to every person who helped me throughout this journey!

I had a blast during my time in South Korea, but it was also extremely hard. I am someone who has a background working in crisis management, so I am familiar with long hours and unexpected twists and turns, so this was not something that I struggled with too much. But it is a reality that many have to accept if they are choosing to work abroad. THIS IS NOT A VACATION. They repeat this about a million times during the course and it is very true. Although every placement is unique, the extra work/hours that are expected from you is common throughout the country. The course itself was lovely. I made lifelong friends, who I still keep in touch with now almost 2 (3?!) years later, even though we were placed in different locations. I also got to meet future coworkers, which helped the transition into the post-program life. The program did prepare me for cultural differences and allowed a bit of a breather before the real work began so I am glad I opted in to the dorm-style life. I learned a lot and got to explore Seoul before my schedule became bit wild. After the program, I moved to my new city. I didn't live in Seoul, which was my choice. I got a pretty nice apartment (not a studio!) and my school expected us to teach their curriculum, so we did not have to reinvent the wheel. I enjoyed being around the students and learning from them as much as they learned from me. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I renewed my contract for another year. I decided to leave Korea after two years because of many things - but also because I reached my limit in terms of workload as a senior teacher and expectations. I wanted to leave before I began to resent it, and it was the best choice for me. I think that if you have a good head on your shoulders and your heart is in the right place, you will enjoy life in South Korea. The kids are really lovely.

XploreAsia made moving to Korea smooth and supportive from start to finish. Teaching in Suwon has been an amazing experience. Teaching has been some of the most rewarding work I have experienced. Living here has allowed me to explore Korean culture, enjoy the incredible food, and visit beautiful places every weekend. I’ve grown so much personally and professionally, and I’d recommend this experience to anyone considering teaching abroad.