If you’ve ever been in a Korean taxicab, chances are you’ve heard trot. How do you know when you’ve heard it? Your foot starts tapping, religiously, to a melancholy two-step. Your heart crunches and your stomach churns as you feel … Read More
Growing up in Australia’s metropolitan cities like Sydney and Melbourne, there is a high likelihood that you’ve come across Lunar New Year celebrations hosted at your local suburb or Chinatown. As we welcome the Year of the Rabbit (兔年 in … Read More
Experience: The culture of Han River Spending time at Han River is a great way to enjoy the views of Seoul and relax within the city. Whether its bike riding, walking, food stalls, a picnic, convenience stores, or fried chicken … Read More
Let’s face it – we all love it when a visitor to the country demonstrates a love for the local music. This is especially the case in Korea. Show friends, family or work associates an extensive knowledge of Kpop at … Read More
Cycling is undoubtedly a beautiful way to explore any country – giving you access to picturesque roads and panoramic views inaccessible to cars or public transport. However, it is also an effective way to network and build connections with the … Read More
Sporting a ponytail and several tattoos, Dylan Goldby does not seem a typical figure you’d expect to encounter in conservative Korean business circles. However, the Australian photographer is well-known within the community and is often the first point of all … Read More
Interested in building a career in South Korea? Gaining real-life experience in the country is an ideal way to observe and learn the Korean workplace, and completing internships and working in Korea is a great way to get these insights. … Read More
Living as an expat abroad, you typically grow used to the transient nature of the foreign community – as friends and colleagues gradually return home or venture off to pursue new adventures across the globe. But amidst all the comings … Read More
“Seoul is a fast-paced, dynamic city, with everything at your fingertips”. Rowan Petz As is the case for many of us here at Asia Options, Rowan’s Asia story begins with an exchange program at Yonsei University in 2014, which was … Read More
While the title of this blog may initially take you by surprise, weddings are an important topic when it comes to navigating culture norms and building relationships in Asia. In particular, wedding invitations often come in a professional context – … Read More
As 2019 draws to a close, it’s a good time to look ahead and read-up on opportunities for Australia-Korea engagement that await in 2020. If you are currently studying Media or Journalism in an Australian university and have an interest … Read More
When it comes to scholarships for Australian Students, the New Colombo Plan (NCP) is the all-inclusive Indo-Pacific, Asian experience. We’ve heard from many scholars about their transformative study and work stories in the region, but where are they now? Coming … Read More
Going out for dinner and having drinks with co-workers on a regular basis is a must in Korean corporations. This kind of informal bonding with co-workers is considered just as important as the work itself and is why Korean companies will … Read More
It will probably surprise most that my journey with Korean actually started out when I was on exchange in China. My university major was Chinese and even my second elective language was not Korean (it was Indonesian). Heck even in … Read More
Alice Slevison from Asia Options sat down with her China Policy colleague Tristan Leonard to discuss his experience as an English teacher in Seoul. Some background about Tristan… I started out with a bachelor’s degree in Asian studies at … Read More
Have you ever wanted to run away to a foreign land, learn a new language, try new foods, and meet different people? I did, and chose to study and work in South Korea. It’s been an unforgettable experience, and one that … Read More
Most pictures we now associate with Korea are the shining bright lights of Seoul and Namsan Tower, or the beautiful mountains that span across the entire country. What a lot of people don’t get to see is the more traditional … Read More
Prioritising study on exchange can sometimes be difficult and especially for those studying in Seoul. With the combination of affordable food, sol-maek and one-shot culture, Seoul can be a challenge even for the most well-intentioned of students. But despite … Read More
Thousands of people move around me speaking a language I don’t recognise as they make their way to the multiple escalators going in every direction. Chandelier-style lights drape down from the ceiling, distracting me from the gigantic flight display boards … Read More
It was almost twenty-two days before I was due to fly out from Sydney and arrive in Seoul. I was staying in my hometown, gathering all my paperwork, and packing all the essentials. Ding! I received an email, quickly jumped … Read More