Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in psychology in May 2009 came with a hefty price tag-$60,000 in student loans. At first, the payments didn’t seem too overwhelming as I was living in southwest Missouri, where rent for a shared apartment was only $200. However, the urge to explore life and the excitement of new experiences led me to leave my $12-an-hour job behind. I decided to move to the Denver area to be closer to friends, even though it meant saying goodbye to the affordability of living in the Ozarks.
A Costly Move That Strained My Finances
The transition to Denver brought with it a steep increase in living expenses. My rent jumped to over $700, and I had to manage $100 for a car payment to my parents, $50 for insurance, and a daunting $610 in monthly student loan repayments. My $30,000 yearly salary quickly became insufficient. After about a year, I transitioned to a sales position that relocated me to Portland, Oregon, where my expenses continued to rise. Despite sharing rent with roommates, the higher cost of living in Portland forced me to place some of my loans into forbearance just to make ends meet.
Discovering a New Path in South Korea
As I battled both financial and emotional stress in Portland, I came across Facebook posts from an acquaintance who had just returned from teaching English in South Korea. The idea of escaping my current situation and starting anew in a foreign country was immensely appealing. I soon realized that my college degree made me eligible to teach English in Korea without needing any additional qualifications. After sending out applications and going through interviews, I was offered a position at an academy in Daegu, South Korea’s fourth-largest city, and I accepted without hesitation.
Thriving in Korea: Financial Relief and a Renewed Sense of Purpose
By February 2013, I had secured my visa and left the US, originally planning to spend just one year in South Korea. However, I quickly fell in love with my new life there. For the first time since leaving Missouri, I found myself with more disposable income, despite earning slightly less per hour than I had in the US. My employer provided housing, and Korea’s public transportation was both efficient and affordable. With bus rides costing less than $1, I could easily explore Seoul or take a budget-friendly trip to Jeju Island.
Extending My Stay and the Challenges of Returning to the US
My life in Korea was so enriching that I extended my one-year contract three times. Yet, after several years of teaching the same curriculum at the same academy, I felt it was time for a change. I had begun freelance writing on the side and wanted to pursue it full-time, so in 2017, I left Korea and moved to Dallas, Texas, to live with my best friend from college.
Disillusionment in the US and the Call Back to Korea
Returning to the US proved far more challenging than I had expected. Without a car, I relied on rides from my friend or used Uber and Lyft, all while still managing a substantial amount of debt. My attempt to establish a freelance business floundered, and out of necessity, I accepted a full-time job doing content strategy and writing for an agency. The job left me unfulfilled, and soon enough, I found myself struggling financially once more.
Just when I felt lost, I received an email from my former school in Korea, asking if I would consider coming back. Initially, I hesitated, fearing that returning to a familiar place might feel like I was moving backward. However, the idea of returning to Korea, where I had been so content and financially stable, was too appealing to resist.
A New Beginning in Asia
Six weeks after receiving that email, I was on a plane back to South Korea, feeling like I was finally coming home. It’s now been six years since I returned, and though I’m starting to consider another career change, I have no plans to go back to the US. My life in Asia, with its affordable living costs, strong friendships, and opportunities for travel, provides a quality of life I wouldn’t trade for anything. As I look toward the future, I might leave Korea, but I know I’ll stay in Asia, where I’ve truly found my place.