Robyn Mansir, a 27-year-old former scientific research editor from Manchester, England, relocated to South Korea in 2022 seeking improved living conditions and financial stability. After graduating from university, Mansir worked in Manchester but found it difficult to save money despite having a stable job and living in a desirable neighborhood. At 23, she decided to pursue teaching English abroad, completing a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course to facilitate this transition.
Mansir chose South Korea due to its reputation as one of the most livable countries, competitive TEFL salaries, accommodation benefits, and a relatively low cost of living compared to Europe. She secured a teaching position in Suwon, a city roughly 19 miles south of Seoul, through online applications and interviews, receiving positive feedback from current teachers about school conditions. Her employment package included a one-bedroom duplex apartment valued at approximately £350 per month in rent, which was covered by her employer.
Starting with a monthly salary of around £1,200 before taxes, Mansir found the overall quality of life favorable and transportation costs minimal. She initially intended to stay for one year but remained longer due to the positive experience, later transitioning to a part-time role at a private English academy in Seoul with increased pay. Despite cultural adjustments—including navigating Korea’s hierarchical social structure, intense educational environment, and language complexity—Mansir expressed appreciation for the financial progress and lifestyle improvements.
She noted significant cultural differences, such as the strict respect shown to elders and formalities during meals, as well as the challenge posed by Korean’s multiple language levels, which vary depending on social context. Mansir highlighted that improper use of honorifics could lead to social disapproval. She also reported being struck by the advanced capabilities of young Korean children, despite the pressure older students face.
After separating from her partner, who returned to the UK, Mansir remained in South Korea, where she later married a Korean UX designer named Kyeongrae. The couple purchased a three-bedroom flat under the jeonse system, a housing arrangement requiring a substantial lump-sum deposit secured by a loan, allowing them to live rent-free while paying under £300 monthly toward the loan. Mansir described ongoing bureaucratic challenges as a foreign resident, such as the need for in-person visits for certain administrative services, which are otherwise handled digitally by Korean citizens.
Overall, Mansir emphasized that her move allowed her to afford a comfortable lifestyle in central Seoul, something she deemed unaffordable in Manchester. Her experience reflects the appeal of South Korea’s living standards and working conditions for foreign English teachers seeking better affordability and quality of life abroad.