Whether it’s a bus or an airplane, I’m always relieved when few people show up, leaving me free to stretch my legs across the aisle. This weekend was my first time returning to Seoul since my arrival after New Year’s. In addition to soaking up a little culture at the Sejong Center with Aida,...
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As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had to change my definition of success more times than I could count. If you had asked me what that word meant at fifteen, I probably would have said a mansion in LA, an acting career, and a supermodel on my arm. In college, I would have settled for...
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I’ve talked a little about some of the credit cards I use to receive travel benefits. In this video, I go over exactly how I used these cards to travel, and the points programs out there. It’s also handy to live in a country like Korea where there are cheap accommodations: jimjilbang, love hotels,...
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This is the first time I’ve seen anything like corporal punishment in Korea. I witnessed my old boss grab students by the ears, but generally this was done without malice and only if students had really been misbehaving, e.g. hitting others, making others cry with insults. Nevertheless, my current employer is taking things to...
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Fukuoka, Japan will always hold a special place in my heart. As my first vacation spot inside Japan, I was introduced to so many new things: capsule hotels, ramen at the yatai, nightlife worth going out for, and the laid-back atmosphere of Kyushu. I’ve been back once before while passing through on my way...
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I freely admit I’m a bit of a nerd. When it comes to travel, there are certain things outside of typical travelers’ behavior I do that I ordinarily wouldn’t admit. Not that they’re illegal or particularly embarrassing; I just fell into a habit of doing them whenever I go abroad and don’t really think...
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First off, I should point out my situation is unique. The majority of English teachers are hired prior to departure and able to secure their Korean working visas in their respective home countries. I, on the other hand, received a 90-day tourist visa on arrival and hand delivered my E2 paperwork to an employer...
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I try to remember when I was at my happiest. I distinctly remember my parents asking me in 2009 about which year of my life had been the best, and I answered “this one”; at that point, things had just improved by the moment. Being in New Zealand can have that effect. Though I...
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Now that I’m back on the Korean peninsula, there are certain foods for which I can finally satisfy my cravings. It’s true, Korean food is probably the most widely available on the planet and not necessarily lacking in quality outside of Korea, but there are certain dishes I’ve yet to see in the US....
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Living in this country for a sufficient amount of time makes the most banal imported food seem like a scrumptious feast. Americans know all too well when Taco Bell first opened its doors outside of military bases. I don’t believe a decent purveyor of New York style pizza can yet be found in Itaewon,...
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