Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Picking everything up, taking the plunge, and moving to an entirely new country is never
going to be an easy experience, and the need to negotiate an entirely unfamiliar bureaucracy
that functions mainly in another language makes it an even more intimidating prospect.
Thankfully, dealing with South Korean officialdom these days is relatively straightforward
and unblemished by the questionable practices and lengthy delays that even locals com-
plained about in the past. In many cases, expatriates are assisted through the visa and res-
idency process by an employer, but the government's efforts to improve foreign-language
services mean that it's perfectly feasible to do much of the legwork yourself if needed.
Besides, when it comes down to it, permits and paperwork are the least of any expatriate-
to-be's concerns—saying good-byes, deciding what to take and what to leave behind, and
preparing kids or pets for a new life overseas are all more complex and more emotionally
draining experiences. Just keep in mind that any trepidation is soon bound to give way to
excitement at having an entirely new country to explore, and that the wealth of new experi-
ences and friends that await should take a lot of the sting out of separation.
