Living in Korea as an international student comes with its share of challenges. One of the toughest experiences is finding a job when you’re not fully confident in the language, especially when you’re competing with native speakers. I’ve been through that struggle and learned valuable lessons along the way.
Recently, I came across a job posting at a seafood restaurant in Jagsan. I wasn’t sure about the details, but I knew I needed a job to support myself, so I took a chance. I sent a message to the owner, and to my surprise, he replied right away. However, he told me that the restaurant was still under construction and wouldn’t open until June 15. He asked if I could wait until then, and without hesitation, I said yes. I had no other option.
A few days later, I got a message saying they wanted to schedule an interview. After finishing my morning shift at another job, I quickly rushed to the restaurant for my 4 PM interview. When I arrived, I was greeted by a middle-aged Korean man standing in front of the restaurant. I greeted him with a polite “Annyeonghaseyo” and told him I had an interview. He told me to come in and wait.
While I waited, the other staff and the man offered to let me drink something, but I politely declined. I was already feeling nervous. Then, the boss's wife came in and greeted me warmly, asking for my visa and some basic information like my name, age, where I live, and where I study. When she asked about my work experience, I told her I had worked in a kitchen for about 1.5 years.
The most intimidating question came when she asked about my Korean skills. I was honest and told her, “I don’t speak much, but I understand quite a bit.” She nodded, took my number, and assured me that she would message me on KakaoTalk with more details.
Two days later, she messaged me with my schedule and the salary information, and we are still in the process of talking.
Looking back at that interview, it was a moment that taught me a lot about the culture here in Korea. At first, I was worried about my limited Korean skills. I had no idea how I would communicate effectively, and I felt uncertain about my chances. But the kindness and patience I received from the Korean staff made me feel at ease. They didn’t judge me for not speaking fluently; instead, they gave me time and made sure I understood through simple words and facial expressions.
The most important lesson I took from this experience is that communication is not just about language; it’s about effort, understanding, and patience. Even though I wasn’t able to speak Korean perfectly, the Korean people around me were incredibly patient and willing to help. They didn’t see me as a foreigner who couldn’t fit in — they saw me as someone trying their best, and that’s what mattered.I want to tell other international students who might feel insecure about their language skills not to be discouraged. Koreans may not always speak fluent English, but they are extremely helpful and kind. If you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask or look for other ways to communicate .
So, my advice to anyone new to Korea — even if your Korean isn’t perfect, don’t give up. Trust in your efforts, and keep trying. You’ll find that the people around you will help you every step of the way. Just like they helped me. 
Living in Korea as an international student comes with its share of challenges. One of the toughest experiences is finding a job when you’re not fully confident in the language, especially when you’re competing with native speakers. I’ve been through that struggle and learned valuable lessons along the way.
Recently, I came across a job posting at a seafood restaurant in Jagsan. I wasn’t sure about the details, but I knew I needed a job to support myself, so I took a chance. I sent a message to the owner, and to my surprise, he replied right away. However, he told me that the restaurant was still under construction and wouldn’t open until June 15. He asked if I could wait until then, and without hesitation, I said yes. I had no other option.
A few days later, I got a message saying they wanted to schedule an interview. After finishing my morning shift at another job, I quickly rushed to the restaurant for my 4 PM interview. When I arrived, I was greeted by a middle-aged Korean man standing in front of the restaurant. I greeted him with a polite “Annyeonghaseyo” and told him I had an interview. He told me to come in and wait.
While I waited, the other staff and the man offered to let me drink something, but I politely declined. I was already feeling nervous. Then, the boss's wife came in and greeted me warmly, asking for my visa and some basic information like my name, age, where I live, and where I study. When she asked about my work experience, I told her I had worked in a kitchen for about 1.5 years.
The most intimidating question came when she asked about my Korean skills. I was honest and told her, “I don’t speak much, but I understand quite a bit.” She nodded, took my number, and assured me that she would message me on KakaoTalk with more details.
Two days later, she messaged me with my schedule and the salary information, and we are still in the process of talking.
Looking back at that interview, it was a moment that taught me a lot about the culture here in Korea. At first, I was worried about my limited Korean skills. I had no idea how I would communicate effectively, and I felt uncertain about my chances. But the kindness and patience I received from the Korean staff made me feel at ease. They didn’t judge me for not speaking fluently; instead, they gave me time and made sure I understood through simple words and facial expressions.
The most important lesson I took from this experience is that communication is not just about language; it’s about effort, understanding, and patience. Even though I wasn’t able to speak Korean perfectly, the Korean people around me were incredibly patient and willing to help. They didn’t see me as a foreigner who couldn’t fit in — they saw me as someone trying their best, and that’s what mattered.I want to tell other international students who might feel insecure about their language skills not to be discouraged. Koreans may not always speak fluent English, but they are extremely helpful and kind. If you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask or look for other ways to communicate .
So, my advice to anyone new to Korea — even if your Korean isn’t perfect, don’t give up. Trust in your efforts, and keep trying. You’ll find that the people around you will help you every step of the way. Just like they helped me.