South Korea is cultural destination like no other with super modern cities, tranquil countryside, friendly people and some of the tastiest food in Asia. If you would like to take a gap year, go backpacking, live, work or study in Korea our trips will appeal to you.
Paid Work, Teaching Jobs & Backpacking Trips in South Korea
Working Holiday in South Korea
• 6-12 months
• Price from £1,595
TEFL TESOL Course in Seoul
• 9 days
• Price from £2,300
Teach English in South Korea
• 12 months
• Price from £1,245
South Korea Soul Tour
• 9 days
• Price from £2,155
Best of South Korea
• 8 days, Seoul to Seoul
• Price from £1,784
Korea & Japan Encompassed
• 16 days, Seoul to Tokyo
• Price from £3,679
Travel and Backpacking in South Korea
• Population: 51 million
• Capital city: Seoul
• Currency: South Korean Won (KRW)
• Official language: Korean
A part of Oriental Asia that has so much to give, but is often bypassed for the likes of China and Japan. South Korea is a great country to travel by train on a rail pass or work as a teacher with a TEFL qualification.
Explore the natural landscape by cycling and trekking in the many National Parks, as well as wandering the suped-up modern metropolises, and hanging out at cultural events like the famous Lantern Festival.
View our guide with information and ideas for how to take a gap year in Korea.
Popular South Korea Gap Year Ideas
Some of the top reasons to visit South Korea include:
• Challenge yourself to integrate into a different country/culture
• Sample some tasty local food
• See ancient temples
• Explore super modern cities packed with technology which will make you feel like you have been living in the dark ages
Best Places to Visit in South Korea
There are lots of highly recommend locations in South Korea worth checking out, and if you are worried about the language barrier you could book a tour and get taken to the best places.
These are some of the essential destinations for international visitors to see: • Seoul • Gyeongju • Jeju City • Suwon • Busan • Hwaseong • Gunsan • Gwangju. If you would like to combine experiences view our Asia gap year directory
Work in South Korea
Are you open to living and working in a completely different country? Consider apply to work in Korea! Although the language can be a challenge a lot of jobs do not need you to know any Korean prior to arrival. One of the best gap year jobs is teaching.
Teach English in South Korea
Korea is one of the most popular destinations for teachers as it offers a high salary, a good night life, and good benefits. The vast majority of people who go there do so after college as the country likes to take a lot of young and first year teachers.
Schools, language training academies and universities hire International TEFL teachers to work in places like Seoul and Busan. Salaries are high and a lot of employers offer free accommodation too. This is a great way to experience living in Korea and go sightseeing to discover more of the country in your spare time.
Most teachers are expected to teach approximately 30 hours per week. Some schools may offer more hours for additional pay. Office hours may be required or advised in order to allow for lesson planning and preparation. Some schools may also request your presence at staff meetings and extra-curricular events.
As many private academies cater to adults and children, working hours are flexible and schools usually offer morning, afternoon and evening classes. Kindergarten classes usually start around 9am and end at 3pm. Elementary and high school classes start at 3pm and end around 9pm.
Adult classes usually have flexible hours in the morning and evening to that working students can attend class when it fits into their schedules.
You will usually receive a competitive and comfortable salary of $1500 USD or more per month. Schools also offer contract completion bonuses at the end of your contract and airfare reimbursement.
Volunteer in South Korea
Does the idea of going to volunteer in South Korea appeal to you? There are some programs available to join here, although much less than other destinations in Asia like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Some international organisations offer cultural exchange programs and group trips where you can help local charitable causes which usually have a focus on community development.
Study in South Korea
Would you like to learn Korean? What better way to do it than actually in Korea! There are language schools throughout the country offering beginners classes to foreigners. These courses can be a lot of fun as schools usually organise social activities and sightseeing trips.
