Job offer in South Korea
 

Hi all. I have been married 12 years and have two kids (4 and 2). I have worked as a civilian for the Army for 18+ years and have never worked or even been out of the country. I was given a great honor the other day as my bosses have offered me a pretty important position in Seoul, South Korea. It would be a two year tour. All living expenses paid for (except phone). I would get all the same benefits as the Military. I live in the midwest now. I love the big city.

Has anyone lived or lives in Seoul? Have you ever been there? thoughts?

would it be extremely beneficial for you to take the job? i'm not sure if you've got a house or anything like that here but if it works out financially for you and the family doesn't mind the move then i think it would be pretty exciting.

i'm headed to korea soon. i'm in the army and i'll at camp red cloud next month. hooah.

i live as an expatriate overseas, so i can relate. i moved for a few reasons, and im glad i did.

a few things you may want to consider

- are you doing this for tax purposes? if there are benefits, speak to your employer or the tax man/accountant and find out if there are advantages

- is it worth being away from family and friends for the benefits that you recieve? will you bring your partner/kids with you?

- living abroad has many advantages in that you get to learn a lot more about not only the new place you live, but the entire region that you live in. It can become a multidimentional working holiday as you explore the region. it open up many places to travel to and experience.

- is security a concern for you considering who your neighbours are?

- will you have to learn korean from the get go? and how open is korea to the west?

without doubt the first few months will be testing times as you adjust to an expat life, and get used to things not running the way they do back home. expect that anywhere.

sorry i cant help about S. Korea, since i havent been there, but i can help about expat life in general.

I've never lived there...or in fact been there but honestly, hell I'd take it in a heartbeat. How many chances are you going to get to immerse yourself in a foreign culture like that? It sounds like a fun adventure to me, be good for your career and your kids would get a chance to really experience the world outside of the US what a great learning experience for them. (assuming your family goes with you of course, otherwise the decision becomes much more difficult in my opinion)

Sure its probably easier said then done, but I'd seriously think about doing it.

It would be very different from Iowa, but it is a modern place. And two years is a long time, but I think quite a few people there understand some english. Getting around and reading signs would be my concern.