Working Abroad for a Year

Roland_Gilead

Hi All,

Looking for some advice from people who have been in a similar situation to myself. Any and all advice more than welcome !

I am planning on teaching English abroad for a year, most likely in South Korea/Asia. Trying to plan ahead and the most obvious thing, as always, is money. Saftey and access to it.

Has anyone got any advice? Have they had the same kind of experience?

Obviously I can take my credit card for any purchases that I need protected against fraud etc. But for everyday cash? What about opening an account in that country for wages to get paid into?

I have looked at a few guides on the site, but would greatly appreciated the personal touch of someone who has been there and done it!.

Thanks :beer:

Lith

You will need a Korean bank to pay 'won' into it.

as for your uk banks, make sure they accept international address for a 'address change' if they don't? use a family or trusted friend to use there address.

Roland_Gilead

Lith wrote: »

You will need a Korean bank to pay 'won' into it.

as for your uk banks, make sure they accept international address for a 'address change' if they don't? use a family or trusted friend to use there address.

I think the plan is keep my UK bank accounts registered at a family address, have a few commitments so a handful of direct debits will lift throughout the year.

I take it I cannot open a Korean account until I am there so need some type of cash account for the intervening period.

Thanks Lith!!

LemonTree_3

Roland_Gilead wrote: »

Obviously I can take my credit card for any purchases that I need protected against fraud etc. But for everyday cash?

You may want to read the following article regarding cheap travel money:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money
Apologies if you already know this one.

Roland_Gilead

Thanks and yes I will most likely apply for a Halifax Clarity card, but I would not want to use it for cash. I think having a Korean bank account while I am there will sort out the normal everyday cash flow, but will need something like a pre-paid card as well.

:money:

mr_fishbulb

Roland_Gilead wrote: »

I am planning on teaching English abroad for a year, most likely in South Korea/Asia. Trying to plan ahead and the most obvious thing, as always, is money. Saftey and access to it.

Are you planning to teach through one of these Teaching English schemes (e.g. the JET one for Japan)? If so they might sort out this stuff for you.

If you're just going alone armed with a TEFL certificate then I'd recommend a trip over to the Lonely Planet message board to ask about where you can/can't work, visas, etc - http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/index.jspa

Roland_Gilead

mr_fishbulb

Hi - planning on the TELF route, but will look at the other options as well. But the TELF route (from what I understand) they act as the middleman help you get set up etc but you choose where you want to go etc. :money:

mr_fishbulb

I have to admit my TEFL experience isn't first hand, but my ex got the certificate just after we finished uni. Looking at the TEFL site - http://www.tefl.com/ they look like they give lots of advice.