SEOUL - Living Abroad in South Korea - page 225

Q: What sort of advice would you have for a non-Korean contemplating a busi-
ness venture in Seoul, in terms of forging connections and making it a success?
A: The city government offers generous support to foreign investment. The Seoul
Global Center offers free consulting and classes for the budding entrepreneur as well.
And like anywhere else in the world, it's also important that you get out and meet
people. Surround yourself with veterans and long-term expats who are part of the
scene. These people have chosen to stick around for a good reason, and that kind of
optimism and energy never hurts.
Q: What are your favorite things about Seoul—and what do you think could be
improved, especially as regards facilities for visitors or expats?
A: I have a love/hate relationship with the changing faces of Seoul. On one hand,
there's constant stimulation because I never return to the same neighborhood to find
it just as I left it. On the other, there's some wistfulness when a brand-new shop re-
places your old favorite café. I like that Seoul is always changing, but it's not a city
that allows for much nostalgia.
As for improvement, getting a smartphone for visitors is really tough and expens-
ive, and I feel like having GPS and instant access to information is really integral to
tourism 2.0. And although there is more English and foreign-language signage now
than ever, language accessibility is also spotty unless you're in a big attraction or
touristy neighborhood like Myeong-dong or Insa-dong.
Looking ahead, I think the government could reconsider what it is about Seoul
that draws visitors. Oftentimes it's just Seoul's palaces and beautiful palace food that
are carefully packaged and presented to the rest of the world, but most visitors I know
who fall in love with Seoul can't get enough of the impossible alleys, the gritty street
food, and other urban scenes and scenery the government doesn't think to advertise.
SCHOOLS
In Seoul proper the main international schools are the Seoul Foreign School, which was
founded in 1912 in the northwestern part of the city and offers both U.S. and British cur-
ricula, and the far younger Yongsan International School, which is just east of Itaewon
and models itself on the U.S. system. Both are certified, accept students from kindergarten
through high school, and boast expansive well-equipped campuses. Though they are nomin-
ally Christian institutions, most parents don't find religion excessively emphasized, and stu-