It’s a dream for many to travel the world. One way to do so is by working in different countries. This story is about a young, game-loving man who wanted to explore Asia. He achieved this dream by becoming an English teacher in Korea.
My Path to Teaching in Korea
Since I was a young child, I always felt like I didn’t quite fit in my environment. I was born and raised in New York City, and while I definitely have many New Yorker tendencies, my heart was always drawn to another part of the world—Asia.
Primarily, I’ve always had a strong affinity for all things Japanese.
Like many kids who discovered the internet as it was evolving, I came across anime, manga, cosplay, and everything related to Japan. But I always wanted more. I wanted to learn the language. I wanted to live there. Of course, I never thought living in Japan—or anywhere in Asia—would ever be more than just a dream.
Being an avid gamer, especially of games from Korea or Japan, I often found myself frustrated that there were literally hundreds of games beyond my reach. Many of them never made it to Western markets, or if they did, they suffered from poor localization—things like bad translations, low-quality voice acting, or excessive censorship. Although this has improved somewhat, it still happens.
Learning Japanese for Gaming
Thus, my journey to learn Japanese began.
Unfortunately, I had no one to teach me and no clear starting point, nor did I have the money for classes. Thankfully, with my young, internet-savvy mind, I discovered a textbook series called Genki. I quickly bought the first volume after teaching myself the Japanese alphabets—Hiragana and Katakana.
After many failures, sweat, and literal tears, I became comfortable with Japanese—enough to play those games I had always wanted to. I could read nearly any comic and import almost any game. It was glorious, but in the end, it was just a hobby that only deepened my love for all things Asian.
But I was still in New York.
Where would I ever get to use these skills in a real-world or professional setting?
By sheer luck, I started working at a fast-casual dining restaurant called Shake Shack. Located in the city, I frequently encountered Japanese tourists who were pleasantly surprised by my (limited) ability to communicate with them.
How I Gained the Experience to Teach
As Shake Shack expanded nationally, it also grew internationally. I learned about a position called “Cross Trainer” within the company. This role allowed accomplished employees to travel both domestically and internationally to train new staff and maintain quality standards. I often joked, “If you guys ever reach Japan, let me know!”
Little did I know, this would actually come true. I quickly worked my way up the ranks and, through hard work, was told I would be sent to Japan to help open the second Japanese Shake Shack. This was literally a dream come true.
Yes, I worked really hard, but the support from the management and staff was invaluable. I thank them to this day.
My First Trip to Japan
Arriving in Japan, I was overwhelmed with disbelief. I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. I felt all sorts of emotions, especially nervousness.
Part of the reason I was chosen for the team was my knowledge of Japanese. While it was true I could read well, my conversational skills were far from perfect since I had studied on my own and lacked real-world practice. To make matters worse, the translator assisting the rest of the team chose not to help me, believing I would be fine on my own.
I was responsible for training the new team members with limited ability to communicate. It was challenging, and I was terrified. But I knew how important this was, not just for me but also for those who believed in me. I gave it my all—and succeeded.
The training went smoothly, and my team appreciated that I was the only one who could speak with them directly, which helped us form a stronger bond than the others.
It was an experience I will never forget.
My First Trip to South Korea
That experience only strengthened my desire to live in Asia. Not long after returning to New York, I was assigned to South Korea. I couldn’t believe it—I had not only fulfilled my dream of visiting Japan, but now I was headed to another country I had longed to explore.
Though I didn’t know any Korean, I tried to learn as much as I could before my first trip. I mastered Hangul in just under an hour, thanks to my skills from self-studying Japanese.
Arriving in Korea, I felt the same overwhelming joy I had felt in Japan. I was truly happy. I knew then that I would love Korea just as much, if not more, than Japan. When I returned to New York, the pain of leaving Korea was unbearable.
I never wanted to feel that way again. I was determined to stay in Asia, and so my journey began.
Over the course of a year and a half, I traveled between South Korea and Japan a total of six times.
Teaching English in Korea as a Second Language
During my visits, I spoke with people who could provide me with information on how to stay in Asia. The one thing I kept hearing was “English Teacher.”
I had known about this option since I was young, but I had never thought of myself as a teacher. However, I realized that in many ways, I had been teaching all along—whether it was training new employees or teaching Shake Shack’s procedures to people from different backgrounds.
I had been teaching all along, and I loved it. It brought me joy, so I became an English teacher. I’ve now been living in South Korea for over a year, and I still love it as much as I did on my first day.
How to Actually Become an English Teacher in Korea
If you’re reading this because you want to do what I did, here’s the practical side of it — the requirements, not just the dream.
The Basics You’ll Need
- A bachelor’s degree, in any field, from an accredited university
- Citizenship in one of seven countries: the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa
- A clean criminal background check (apostilled — more on that below)
- A passing medical exam after you arrive, which screens for tuberculosis, drug use, and general health
You don’t need a teaching degree or prior classroom experience. Most programs do want a TEFL or TESOL certificate, typically 100+ hours, though some private academies will hire without one if you meet the other requirements.
EPIK vs. Hagwons
There are two main paths into teaching English in Korea:
- EPIK (English Program in Korea) places teachers in public schools through the Korean government. It’s a longer application process but comes with more structure, standardized contracts, and built-in support.
- Hagwons are private language academies. They hire faster and are more flexible about start dates, but quality and support vary a lot from school to school — it’s worth researching any hagwon carefully before signing.
The E-2 Visa
Teaching English in Korea legally requires an E-2 visa, sponsored by your employer. The process generally looks like this:
- Your employer submits your documents to Korean immigration, which issues a Visa Issuance Number
- You submit that number plus your documents (degree, apostilled background check, passport, photos) to your local Korean consulate
- Once approved, you travel to Korea and register for your residence card (ARC) within 90 days of arrival
Your degree and criminal background check both need to be apostilled — a form of international document certification — before they’ll be accepted, so start that process early since it can take several weeks depending on your country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak Korean to teach English in Korea?
No. Most teaching positions don’t require any Korean language ability, though learning some — even just Hangul, the alphabet — makes daily life a lot easier. It took me under an hour to learn, and it helped immediately.
Do I need a teaching degree or certification?
You don’t need a formal teaching degree. A bachelor’s degree in any field qualifies you for the E-2 visa. Most schools want a TEFL or TESOL certificate (100+ hours), and some require it outright.
How long does the visa process take?
Plan for it to take a few months total, mostly due to apostille processing on your background check and degree. Start gathering documents as early as possible if you have a target start date.
Is EPIK or a hagwon better for a first-time teacher?
EPIK offers more structure and government backing, which can feel safer for a first move abroad. Hagwons hire faster and offer more flexibility, but you’ll want to vet the specific school since quality varies widely.
Fitzpatrick’s story is inspiring because it shows how he pursued his dream job.
But it didn’t just happen overnight. Becoming an English teacher in Korea requires planning, meeting requirements, and completing the necessary paperwork.
Becoming an English teacher in Korea is achievable. Traveling the world is possible, and Fitz’s story is proof.