When I was in college, I got a work visa one summer and skedaddled down to New Zealand. I thought I was going to work on a ski slope. Then I arrived and found out that the snow was going to be heavy enough just about the time I had planned to leave. So I got a part-time job in Wellington, washing dishes in a kitchen. I made the most of it and had a great time in New Zealand, but I sure wish I’d had support in getting a better job. That’s one reason I’m so excited to tell you about this opportunity.
Not only can you work in South Korea if you speak English or Korean, you will have a ton of support in your job search. This program sets you up to do better than washing dishes. But you can do that, too.
The Basics
South Korea offers a one-year Working Holiday Visa for young people (18-34/35) who want to live, work, and travel. On paper, it’s a simple exchange: go to Korea, you can work up to 25 hours a week, and you get to spend the rest of your time learning Korean, making new friends, exploring the country. For some, that means teaching English, taking care of kids or working in hospitality. For others, it’s working in a Samsung factory or modeling. It depends on you.
At AEA, we’ve built a support package ($1,850) that takes the scary parts out: airport meet-and-greet, 28 nights of housing, support with you bank account, SIM card, health insurance registration, job counseling, social outings, even translating your CV into Korean. We also offer optional extras like guaranteed hospitality jobs in Seoul, Busan and Daegu . In other words, you’re not just dropped into a foreign country and told, “Good luck.”
Why Daegu?
We don’t drop you off in Seoul, either. We start you in Daegu, Korea’s third-largest city. Why? Because Seoul can be overwhelming when you first arrive; and well, we have it down n Daegu. Daegu is lively but manageable. Two and a half million people, 23 universities, cheaper rent, festivals that range from “Chicken & Beer” to jazz, plus it’s only 90 minutes from Seoul and 50 minutes from Busan by bullet train.
If you want to try out your Korean language skills, meet students, and not go broke in your first month, Daegu is a good place to land.
The Work
Let’s be real: this is not about making a fortune. Minimum wage in South Korea is ₩9,860/hour — enough to pay bills, cover ramen, and fund weekend trips. Typical jobs include café work, childcare, English assistant roles, or packing and labeling at warehouses like Coupang or Samsung. If you want a sure thing, and (importantly) have some basic Korean under your belt, we can line up a guaranteed hospitality job in Seoul, Busan or Daegu (restaurants, hotels, guesthouses) for $375 extra. Interview before you leave home, and BAM, job waiting. Minimum commitment is 3 months for that, by the way.
Important: the visa is designed for cultural exchange, not full-time professional careers. If you come in thinking this is a way to “move to Korea permanently” — that’s not what this is. Think of it as a one-year adventure with a paycheck to help cover the ride. Or just a few weeks, depending what kind of job you want.
What You Get Out of It
Language. Independence. A chance to live in a completely different rhythm of life. AEA’s job is to clear the hurdles so you can focus on what you’re there for: learning, exploring, and making friends. We are big on friends. You will come home with a bigger worldview than you had before. It’s what you make of it.
Should You Go?
That depends on you. Do you want to play it safe, or do you want to see what you’re made of? A working holiday is not always easy. But it is rewarding.
If your gut says yes, we’ll help you take the leap.
👉 Learn more and get outta here!
