Brijesh Bolar

Brijesh Bolar, Software Engineer, Indian.

Where, when and why did you move abroad?

I just wanted to be out of India and was looking for an international exposure in my career. That is when I came across a job offer in Seoul through my friend who was working here and I grabbed it with both my hands. I moved here almost a year ago.

What challenges did you face during the move?

None, but it took me 2 months for the entire visa processing. So I had to be patient. Also, even after giving a notice period of one month to my previous employer I ended up serving them for another month extra which worked in my favor as my visa processing was getting delayed.

How did you find somewhere to live?

Through Craigslist.

Are there many other expats in your area?

There are so many. Actually I stay here in Haebangchon which is the expat popular area in Seoul.

What is your relationship like with the locals?

Friendly. Locals here respect foreigners and they admire Indians for their intelligence.

What do you like about life where you are?

Every day has something new to offer. There is so much of excitement in learning something new everyday. And most importantly being independent.

What do you dislike about your expat life?

Not knowing the language is sometimes a problem both on the professional and the personal front as the chance of being misunderstood is high. Communication problem is what I dislike.

What advice would you give to anyone following in your footsteps?

Be open to new culture. Make as many friends as possible so accordingly you will not miss home much. Plan your weekends. Be active. Explore the country and everything it has to offer. And most importantly - learn the language.

What are your plans for the future?

I am planning to pursue an MBA full time back home in India but would love to visit Korea again.

Website: www.thekoreaguide.com