My Advice to EPIK Teachers in Daegu, South Korea

When I found out I would be placed in Daegu, South Korea, a wave of relief came over me. While it was my third choice of location {after Seoul and Busan}, I knew it was the most realistic option in terms of my lack of teaching experience. If you’ve applied with EPIK, and received placement in Daegu, I have a few pieces of advice for you.

Before arriving in Daegu, I had done research using the only decent resource I could find: Life of Brit. Honestly, there isn’t much out there about the third largest city in South Korea. Therefore, I was eternally grateful to have come across her blog.

Having a blog myself, I reached out to Brit before I arrived, explaining I would soon be arriving in Daegu. To my delight, she was staying for a second year. Since then we have been on multiple coffee dates, {literally} stumbled into one another on nights out, and shared countless stories about life in Korea, life back at home, blogging, and traveling.

My first piece of advice when moving to Daegu, is to read her blog, Life of Brit. That’s where you will find charming cafes, restaurant recommendations, EPIK information, and more. There is a lack of Daegu content on my blog, simply because Brit has got it covered. Half of my recommendations come from her to begin with! No need to fill this already congested blogosphere with more competition. Go support my girl #girlpower.

Now for some additional advice for those teaching and living in Daegu:

Be careful with the drinks at Go-Go’s 

I wouldn’t be doing my rightful duty as an EPIK alum in Daegu, if I didn’t warn you about the powerful drinks at Go-Go’s. You will inevitably find yourself at Go-Go’s at some point. In fact, I am willing to bet you will be directed to Go-Go’s on your first night out in Deagu. 

And for good reason. Go-Go’s is a tiny, hole in the wall drink joint that sells mixed drinks in plastic bags for ₩5,000 a piece. And these suckers are strong. After only one bag, you’ll be feeling some type of way. Therefore, it’s a great deal for EPIK teachers looking to save money during a night out. 

However… there have been many a night where Go-Go’s got the best of me. It can be tempting to order multiple bags without a second thought. After all, you are drinking a delicious cocktail, out of a fun straw, in a plastic bag, on the open streets of Daegu. It’s all fun and games until you… well let’s just say my friends and I have too many hilarious stories that will forever stay in the vault. Just be aware that Go-Go’s will probably have a go at you one night as well. Don’t say I didn’t warn you! 

Related: 10 Things EPIK Doesn’t Tell You About Teaching English in South Korea

Purchase a portable “WiFi Egg” + buy it HERE

I was so utterly confused about which phone plan to choose when arriving in Daegu. There were so many options, multiple carriers, and no one fluent in English within sight. Until my good friends Tom and Brandon directed me to this KT branch downtown {while the address I linked is specifically for ‘edm’, you’ll find the ‘KT’ store directly beneath it}. 

On weekends, there is a competent, English-speaking employee that will help you out with anything you need. If you tell him you’ve been recommended by another foreigner, you may also get a discount {I did!}. What phone plan you choose will totally depend on how long you plan on staying in Korea. I only planned to stay in Korea for 12 months, and affordable phone plans were limited. 

Therefore, I highly recommend you invest in renting a portable WiFi device. While normal phone plans cost {at a minimum} ₩50,000 a month, the KT “egg” will only set you back at a minimum of ₩16,000 a month. If you choose to add a phone line {instead of only having data}, you’ll be charged an additional ₩5,000 a month. Sure, it can be a pain in the ass to carry an extra device around with you, but I assure you it’s worth it. 

Something to note: you will be charged ₩60,000 at the end of your contract for “breaking it” after 12 months. Even so, it still comes out to be a better deal financially, than signing up for a yearly phone plan. I know it all sounds confusing, but I promise you the helpful man working at KT will explain it all. 

Related: A Journey of EPIK Proportions: Arriving in South Korea

Prepare for a more conservative crowd 

Unlike Seoul or Busan, Daegu is known for being home to conservative locals. This simply means they are less inclined to welcome change into their lives. Unfortunately, as a foreigner, you are the change. They hold on to their traditional values and come across more close minded.

To be fair, I don’t notice it too often in my daily life until I visit Seoul or Busan. Then I am reminded of the significant differences between the cities. As an EPIK teacher, I would simply advise you to be more aware of your appearance, your mannerisms, and your overall respect for the locals living in Daegu. 

Related: 15 Things That Surprised Me About Life in South Korea 

Bank with KEB Hana 

The easiest way to send money home to the US is to set up an Easy-One Remittance account with KEB Hana bank. You can download the KEB app and transfer money with the touch of a button. There is no need to go into your bank each time you wish to make a transfer. For this reason alone, I suggest you bank with KEB. Unlike Daegu Bank, KEB is recognized all over the country so ATM’s and branches are easily accessible anywhere you go. 

Actually setting up the account in the hardest part. I hope you are blessed with a helpful co-teacher. I would have been lost without mine. Either way you need a Korean bank account so you might as well make it KEB. 

Related: 10 Things the World Can Learn from South Korea

Take advantage of the great hiking 

One of the greatest advantages of living in Daegu, is the fact that you are surrounded by mountains. While Seoul is essentially just a metropolitan city, Daegu allows more access to nature. I for sure thought I would be hiking on the reg in this country, but alas, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. 

Even so, I managed to hike three difference mountains in the area. For the best guide to hiking in Daegu, check out Brit’s blog post here. 

Related: 15 Things To Do in Daegu During Spring

Even if you are placed in Daegu, you might be in a rural area 

So, here’s the thing. Technically, I am still a Daegu resident. But I don’t live in Daegu. To actually get into downtown Daegu, I must first take a bus for 35+ minutes, then catch the subway for another 30 minutes. It’s a pain in the ass. That being said, I only have to walk for 3 minutes to get to work five days a week, and I get paid extra “rural income”. Win some, lose some.

For someone who enjoys her own company, it’s actually turned out fine. However, if the thought of spending an extended amount of time alone scares you, keep this in mind.

Related: A Day in the Life of an EPIK Teacher in Daegu {VIDEO}

There will be clubs that don’t allow foreigners to enter 

That’s right. There are certain clubs in Daegu that straight up do not allow foreigners inside. And while some people chalk this up to racism, others blame it on the young, obnoxious, American army boys that run about the city. The clubs try to avoid altercations of any kind, and unfortunately, the service men don’t have the best reputation in that regard.

Either way, it’s a thing here in Daegu, and plenty of other cities in South Korea. My advice is to not take it personally, and simply move on to the next club. There are plenty to go around here in Daegu.

Related: 9 Cultural Mistakes You Should Avoid in Korea… But Don’t

I still don’t know whether to tap on and off of buses… 

I will never understand. Do you tap on and off the buses? Do you only tap off when you plan to transfer? Or every single time you exit? This is still a mystery to me. If you have the answer for us, please leave it down below in the comments. Kam-sam-nee-daaaah.

Don’t take summer/winter camps too seriously 

In preparation for my summer camp, I spent weeks in cafes behind my laptop. I created power points, a points system, rules, decorations, games, and crafts. I needed to account for 2 hours for each class period, and I felt I wouldn’t have enough content. And then I showed up to the first day of camp and 4 students showed up…

This is extremely typical. At a second school that I helped out with this summer, only 1 student showed up on a given afternoon. What do you do with one student, when all of your plans include team games, etc.? Well, we crafted and then watched a movie together. Because, wtf.

In general, don’t overdo it when it comes to summer camp. Include some crafts and fun activities. As long as the students are listening {and understanding} you speak English, it’s a productive afternoon. To put this into perspective, my winter camp begins on Monday and I haven’t done a single thing. I mean, I have a theme {Frozen}, and a basic outline. But I’m basically going to make a quick game plan over the weekend and call it good.

It’s not because I don’t care. But it’s useless to spend hours pouring energy into lesson plans that never come to fruition. Keep it simple, my friends.

Related: 10 Things to Know Before Teaching English in South Korea

Use Naver Maps over Kakao Maps 

So, Google Maps is not helpful in South Korea. I don’t think I’ve used the app since arriving in Asia. That being said, there is a constant competition between Naver Map and Kakao Map. Certain expats consider one to be more convenient over the other. Personally, I utilize Naver Map much more than I do Kakao Map. I use Naver Map to locate my destination and navigate my way to it. I use Kakao map to share my locations with others, or copy a Korean address from the app {when sent a location}, where I then paste it into Naver Map.

Naver Map is simply easier to use in my opinion. It’s all in English which helps those who cannot grasp the new language easily {aka me}. Kakao Map is also in English, until you actually begin your route, then the Korean directions are provided. I will say that Kakao Map provides more specific addresses when looking for cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. But navigation itself — use Naver Map!

Related: 5 Apps to Help You Navigate Life in South Korea

And finally, here are some bests for good measure…

Best cafe: Schumann & – unlimited pastries with any purchase, need I stay more?

Best Korean restaurant: Honestly, my favorite Korean restaurant is a chain:  본죽&비빔밥 Café. I order the spicy beef soup, which comes with rice and a few sides. I don’t love Korean food, but I find myself craving this meal on cold afternoons.

Best Western restaurant: It totally depends what you’re after, but so far my absolute favorite meal has come from Zione. This Italian restaurant serves real, authentic dishes, and includes gluten free options! Try the pizza – it’s the best in Daegu!

Best brunch: La Mia Emily – if you manage to go on a warm afternoon, take advantage of the outdoor seating! It’s magical.

Best hairdresser for Westerners {especially blondes}: Gukje Hair Salon – this is a popular place for foreigners to get their hair done. Located near Camp Walker, it’s easy enough to find if you follow the directions provided in this post. I got a full head of blonde highlights, with toner, and it cost me ₩ 120,000 {approx. $106 USD}. This also included cut and style.

Best hostel: Midtown Hostel – hands down this is the best hostel I’ve ever stayed at… period. My first stay {of many} occurred at the beginning of the year, when the hostel had just opened. I couldn’t believe the level of cleanliness and comfort this hostel provided. On top of that, the hospitality was unmatched. I formed a great relationship with the owner, Philip, who goes out of his way to make sure I’m always welcome. Even if it means leasing me a private room when the regular dorms are full. I am in no way affiliated with the hostel, I just truly love staying there. I wouldn’t sleep anywhere else in Daegu.

This last year in Daegu taught me a lot about life in South Korea. While it will never be Seoul, Daegu has plenty to keep you entertained throughout your stay in South Korea. Some of my best memories of this country happened in this city, and I’ll always consider it a home.