Cultural awareness training helps you to settle into your new environment, make local friends, avoid misunderstandings, and enjoy success in social and professional life.
Our Program Includes:
Pre-departure Support
- We’ll outline the entire process you’ll follow to realize the teaching abroad dream.
- You’ll be provided comprehensive information relating to each step in the pre-departure process and you’ll have the opportunity to ask as many questions as you like, no matter how silly you may think they are!
- We’ll explain and help you get the necessary documentation prepared prior to departure.
- We’ll assist you with all planning, packing, visas, costs, budgeting and booking flights.
- We’ll ease any anxieties you may have regarding your trip and share the positive and life-changing adventures of the teach abroad experience.
Logistics and Safety when arriving
- We’ll pick you up from the airport so you won’t have to stress when you arrive off the plane.
- We’ll introduce you to your 24/7 support team on the ground.
- We’ll take you to your pre-arranged accommodation. Read more about our course accommodation.
- We assist you with your SIM card setup so that you can contact your loved ones back home and your new friends you’re about to make on your epic orientation!
- We assist you with your local bank account setup so you can save money on international withdrawal fees. Your salary is paid into your local bank account.
A toolkit for navigating your new country
Our 1 week cultural orientation on Korean culture and language gives you the perfect foundation for adjusting to life in South Korea as well as an opportunity to bond with your fellow teachers-in-training and in-country staff members.
Learn foundational Korean language
We help you with foundational language to help you navigate:
- The bustling markets.
- Grabbing a taxi.
- Ordering a delicious meal.
- Garnering respect from locals.
(plus it’s pretty cool to impress your mates at home or add it to your resume!)
Cultural and History lessons
- Learn from local Korean staff and ex-foreign teachers who have made their home in South Korea.
- You’ll understand the cultural dynamics so that you don’t feel like a fish out of water.
- You won’t be making any faux pas or disrespecting the locals.
- How to address locals and your fellow teachers.
- You will know what you can and can’t do in Costa Rican classrooms.
Relevant Cultural Excursions
Excursions include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Gyeongbok Palace Tour, commonly known as the Grand Palace, the largest of 5 grand palaces in South Korea.
- Korean War Memorial.
- Korean Cooking Class with Chef Hero.
- Taekwondo Martial Arts Class.
- K-POP Dance Class.
Grand palace Tour and Hanbok Experience
This is the highlight of our orientation week. Participants are taken to a Hanbok (traditional Korean Dress) café to get dressed in the traditional clothing. They are then taken back in time to visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace which was built during the Joseon Dynasty (1395) and given a guided tour of this grand palace. This is a great photo opportunity for all and is a wonderful experience.
Korean War Memorial
Participants will head out to Seoul to visit the Korean War Museum and Memorial. This excursion is a detailed look into the “Forgotten War” and participants will be given a guided tour by an expert in the field. They will be able to walk around and see different displays as well as original vehicles, planes, boats etc. that were used during this conflict. The Korean war is a major part of the peninsula’s history and is a great learning opportunity for all.
Korean Cooking Class with Chef Hero
Korean food is fast gaining in popularity around the world, and for good reason. Participants can see how the food is made and learn about the ingredients used in making certain dishes. They will then be shown how to cook some of Korea’s most famous dishes, cook these dishes themselves, and then devour a feast prepared by themselves and the charismatic chef Hero. Some dishes that they will learn to prepare are Bulgogi, Gimbab and Kimchi Pancakes.
Taekwondo Martial Arts Class
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, characterized by its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. We will be visiting a ‘Dojang’ where the Taekwondo master speaks excellent English and will cover things like correct form, self-defense and participants even get to test their strength by breaking a wooden board!
Korean Language Class
6 hours of Korean language lessons taught by a qualified Korean Language teacher. These are broken down into 3 x 2-hour lessons and covers the basics of the Korean alphabet up to basic conversational content to help the participants better grasp the concepts of the Korean Language. * Exact scheduling is subject to change
K-POP Dance Class
This latest addition to our awesome and action-packed orientation week gives the teachers the opportunity to blow off some steam and learn some awesome new dance moves to their favorite K-POP songs. Lead by an expert dance teacher, this is sure to be a winner for everyone!
Participants take part in a Taekwondo class.
Participants pose for a photo before their welcome dinner in South Korea. Meet and greet your fellow teacher travelers!
Participants on the Hanbok Palace Tour.
Participants during the Korean cooking class. You’ll prepare learn to prepare Bulgogi, Gimbab and Kimchi Pancakes.
Online TEFL/TESOL & Placement Only participants experience the following:
Cultural Orientation Weekends
For those who choose to do the Online TEFL certification or already hold an accredited 120 Hour TEFL/TESOL certification, will be able to experience a full Korean cultural program as part of a group, meeting many other teachers who are also going to, or are already, teaching in South Korea.
The course takes place over a selected weekend spread out throughout the year. These weekend activities and excursions will be held on Saturdays in the capital, Seoul.
On Sunday you will be free to meet up and hang out with your newly made friends and explore the great city as you wish and at your own pace.
We can help to recommend or plan anything that you may like to do!
Excursions
Excursions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Welcome dinner.
- Gyeongbok Palace Tour, commonly known as the Grand Palace, the largest of 5 grand palaces in South Korea.
- Guided tours by a professional Korean tour guide.
- Insadong and Bukchon Hanok cultural area walking tour.
- Wearing a traditional hanbok (Korean traditional clothes).
- Traditional Tea Tasting in Insadong.
- Bukchon Village or King Sejong Museum.
* Exact times and activities are subject to change and will be released closer to the orientation date.
Included in your fee:
- Welcome dinner.
- Entrance fees and activities during cultural excursions.
- Accommodation for the Saturday night of your cultural.
- Hanbok rental fee.
- Professional tour guide for the duration of the entire Saturday.
- 1-Month of free online Korean language classes.
Exclusions
Below is a list of expenses that will not be included in the orientation program and program fee, both online and placement only, and will need to be covered by yourself as required:
- Transport to and from Seoul for the orientation weekends.
- Food during cultural excursions and lunch.
- Accommodation outside of the Saturdays during the orientation
weekends. - Transportation costs to activities (we will take the subway or
busses, so it is relatively inexpensive).
Online TEFL/TESOL and Placement Only participants take part in the Insadong and Bukchon Hanok cultural walking tour.
Online TEFL/TESOL and Placement Only participants during their welcome Dinner in Seoul.
TravelBud Teachers in South Korea on a cultural orientation tour at the Gyeongbokgung Palace.
40 Hour Online Cultural Foundation Course
Included for all participants in your program fee is access to an online, interactive, in-depth cultural and language orientation.
Internationally accredited and developed by experts in history, culture, and language. Our courses effectively prepare people to live, work, or study in their chosen country.
The course also emphasizes diversity, inclusivity, and cultural exchange, and provides institutions with the ability to independently verify that students have taken and passed the course and are ready to transition to life overseas.
This course not only helps individuals prepare to live in South Korea, it also helps teachers to succeed as employees of Korean organizations. It is also a wonderful opportunity for participants to meet other teachers who are also planning to move to Korea.
The Korean Cultural Foundation Course provides a strong foundation in Korean history, culture, language and society, and helps prepare students to make the transition into Korean society.
Organized into four lessons, this course:
- Provides information on all aspects of Korean history and culture.
- Facilitates discussion about the Korean culture and transition challenges.
- Provides a foundation in Korean language.
- Aids learners in navigating their new cultural environment.
There is no additional charge for this course, it is included as a part of your program fee.
A support network of fellow teacher travelers
In addition the personal assistance and 24/7 support we provide, you’ll also have a support network of fellow teachers.
24/7 In-Country Support
- Ex-foreign teachers and local, on-the-ground support staff provide you with personal assistance throughout the duration of your teaching experience.
- You can rest assured knowing that any queries will be answered such as translation help, culture shock, legalities, emergencies, travel options or school queries. Someone is on hand.
- Teacher meet-ups.
- We check in with you regularly and keep up to date with your teach abroad experience.
Have some fun and embrace your new adventure!
Explore cozy restaurants and bars throughout South Korea. |
Experience Traditional South Korean food – the land of the side dish! |
Explore South Korea’s grand palaces. |
Spend a weekend in Busna, South Korea’s second most populous city after Seoul. |
Walk the streets of Insadong, crammed with teahouses and Korean eateries. |
Experience beautiful sunsets in Hanok village. |