Teaching English abroad also has additional benefits. “Travel was one of the biggest reasons I took the job,” Winfred said. “I not only got to see South Korea, but Japan as well.”

A key reason Winfred chose South Korea and a hagwon school was the pay. “I researched the school very thoroughly and then went after the job, beating out several other people,” he said. “You should do background checks and try to talk with some of the people who are teaching English at the school before accepting the position.”

It paid off for Winfred. His one-year contract included a round-trip airline ticket, housing expenses and a salary equivalent to US$2,000 per month, which allowed him to begin paying down his college loan. He cautioned, though, that you must stay for at least six months or your return flight may not be reimbursed.

“When I arrived my boss helped me set up a bank account and get a cell phone for the year I was there,” Winfred said. “Every month she would collect all of my bills, pay them and then give me a statement at the end of each month showing what I owed. The school also paid my apartment rent.”

He cautioned, though, that not all schools are quite so generous. “Some schools will not pay for your housing or provide sub-standard apartments,” he said. “Some teachers have even been stuck when a school suddenly shuts down. Worse, some have been stranded with no return ticket. Make sure your school is well established and you vet it carefully.”

In South Korea, a salary considered somewhat low in the U.S. can provide a comfortable life. “You get paid a really decent salary when you consider the cost of living differential between America and South Korea,” Winfred explained. “I ate out almost all of the time because it was so inexpensive and delicious. It was a lot more convenient than preparing a meal in the apartment.”

A lasting memory for Winfred is the close relationships he developed with his students and colleagues. “They were really nice students who wanted to learn and were very helpful,” he said. “I will miss them as well as the great friends I met from all over the world. Koreans are very friendly people and my experience living and working there opened my eyes to understanding how it is to live in a country where you do not speak the language.”

If you are interested in teaching English in another country, Winfred advises research, research and more research. “Whether it is the country you want to go to, the school you are going to or the safety and security of the country, you need to know everything about it.”