Expat Life in Daegu: Settled, Wired, and Looking for Work

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Settling In: My Journey Begins in Daegu

My apartment is all set up. From now on, everything I do will be tweaking how I use the space. Our VPN works, and I can stream videos and order from JCPenneys and Pier1. I met a few of my neighbors and even received a couple of bottles of wine and homemade kimchi. I have my driver’s license and know that you can turn left on a green arrow, and the dotted lines are where you’re supposed to make the U-turns. My life as an expat in Daegu, South Korea, is about to begin.

Table of Contents

• Settling In: My Journey Begins in Daegu
• Expat Basics in Daegu
• Networking Is Essential for Expat Life
• Korean Soap Operas
• Expat in Daegu: The Job Question
• Work Restrictions and Cultural Realities
• My Job Hunt in South Korea
• Like it? Pin it!

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Expat Basics in Daegu

If only settling in were that simple.

That driver’s test was, honestly, a waste of time. The cartoon portion was the best — and most accurate — part of it.

Still, I’ve learned the basics. I know how to recycle properly. I know which treadmill in the gym downstairs is my favorite and which elevator gets me there the fastest. Now, I know where to buy spaghetti when the Commissary is closed, how to use my apartment intercom panel, and where to find good fried chicken and a big, juicy cheeseburger when I need an American-style comfort meal.

I’ve found my favorite shoe and flower shops. I’ve located a dermatologist, a weight loss doctor (I’ve lost 20 pounds — thank you), a dentist, and two nail salons I like. In many ways, I feel established.

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Networking Is Essential for Expat Life

I reconnected with my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., and discovered both a wine club and a hiking club. They are two separate clubs — not a wine club that hikes. At least I don’t think so. Most importantly, I now know a few places that serve a good IPA because I’m married to a beer snob.

So what do I do next?

I don’t have small children at home, and I’m not sitting on the promise of a healthy inheritance. So, of course, I started looking for a job. Not because I desperately want one. Friends have heard me say that God told us to do good works. He didn’t necessarily say go to work. Still, work feels like the only practical option left. And I definitely don’t look good in orange.

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Korean Soap Operas

I last worked full-time ten years ago. But travel is expensive — very expensive — and I want to keep traveling. My kids are grown, and my husband works hard all day.

I actually liked working, especially when I felt passionate about what I was doing. But after moving with my husband for nearly twenty years, I’d feel lucky just to find something stable — even if it isn’t my dream job. And since we’ve been married, any money I bring to the table is considered “cheese.”

A couple of months of watching Korean television will push anyone toward productivity. The commercial breaks alone can do it. They run ten to fifteen minutes long, and sometimes I forget what I was even watching. Sure, I can stream Amazon Prime, Hulu, or Netflix. But I can watch those in the States, too.

And then there’s the fact that my husband refuses to watch anything I’ve already seen. Unfortunately, I’m a terrible liar.

Expat in Daegu: The Job Question

I could spend my days shopping, meeting friends for lunch, and exploring Daegu and the surrounding countryside. But why not do all of that and earn a little “cheese” at the same time? So I officially joined Team Let’s Find a Job.

My first step was updating my USAJOBS profile. I thought I had everything in order until the rejection emails started arriving in bulk. I’m used to hearing “no,” but the sheer number made me pause. It felt less personal and more systemic.

Many of the postings were so specific that it seemed as if they had been written with a particular candidate already in mind. After only one interview and a stack of “not qualified” notices, I realized I needed guidance. I visited the career center, received practical advice, and left feeling better equipped to navigate the process.

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Work Restrictions and Cultural Realities

Working on the local economy is not as simple as it sounds. Military spouses in Korea cannot just apply anywhere. We must be sponsored by a Korean company to work off base. Without sponsorship, it is not allowed. That requirement alone narrows the field quickly.

Even if sponsorship were not an issue, the work culture here is very different. The work-life balance does not mirror what many American workers expect. Long hours are common. After-work social obligations are common. Leaving at five is not common. I respect the culture, but I know myself well enough to admit it would be a hard adjustment.

Then there is the language barrier. Most local jobs require fluency in Korean. I do not speak the language at a professional level. That reality limits my options even further.

So while Daegu feels welcoming in many ways, the professional door does not swing open as easily as I first imagined.

My Job Hunt in South Korea

One of the first lessons I learned is that a civilian résumé does not translate well in the federal system. USAJOBS requires a detailed format that includes supervisor names, phone numbers, addresses, salaries, certifications, and training — far more than most civilian résumés contain. Revising it has been the most time-consuming part of this process.

You are allowed to upload ten supporting documents, and I quickly realized you should use every slot. Employers may verify items you would never anticipate. I uploaded my résumé, transcripts, PCS orders, command sponsorship letter, Korean driver’s license, U.S. driver’s license, passport with SOFA stamp, and marriage license.

I also learned that while we’re often encouraged to use action verbs, USAJOBS relies heavily on keyword searches pulled directly from the job announcement. Tailoring each application matters. And if you think you aren’t fully qualified, apply anyway. Don’t exaggerate, but don’t undercut yourself either.

Understanding job grades also matters. Applying at a lower GS level can lock you into a slower track. Each application must be customized. Spousal preference must be used carefully, because declining an offer after claiming it may prevent you from using it again.

Beyond USAJOBS, networking remains critical. LinkedIn is essential. Letting people know you’re looking opens unexpected doors. Speaking with friends already in the system gave me insight that no website could provide. I plan to meet with the career counselor again once my revised résumé is complete. I keep hearing that if you’re going to break into the federal system, overseas is one of the best places to start.

So here I am — settled, wired, connected, and searching.

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