Go back to Korea!!

Jimmie Lee Start Date: Sep 4, 2023 - End Date: Jan 3, 2024
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
  • South Korea

My Travel Story

by: Jimmie Lee Start Date: Sep 4, 2023 - End Date: Jan 3, 2024
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
I was an English teacher in South Korea from 2014 to 2020. I had given up my career in the financial services industry in the US to move to South Korea because I was passionate about teaching. I wanted to be a freelance teacher and teach English, communication skills, sales, and finance. I was very happy to be back in my motherland where I was born (I immigrated to the states when I was 5 years old). However, COVID came in early 2020 and I lost my work as a teacher. I held on until November 2020, but I was forced to go back to the US. I had trouble finding meaningful work and so I delivered food for Uber and Door Dash. I saved a bit of money and I moved to Vietnam because I had a Vietnamese American friend who was running an IT consulting company there. However, he left Vietnam only a month after I arrived in November 2022. I made ends meet by teaching English online. However, I don't make enough to really save money. My dream is to go back to South Korea with my vietnamese girlfriend, whom I met here. We both love dogs and our dream is to open a pet store someday. I love Korea and I am confident that with COVID no longer in the picture, I can succeed there
 Another problem is I have unpaid tax bills in Korea. I owe around $6000. I was unable to pay because I was using my savings to get through COVID. I need around $10,000 to fund my travel expenses and to pay off my taxes. However, any donations would be greatly appreciated. Many people suffered during the COVID pandemic including me and my girlfriend, who lost her business in 2020. Thank you so kindly for reading my message. 
  • South Korea