Seoul Foreign School

Seoul, South Korea

School Mission: Seoul Foreign School in South Korea is centered in Christ, inspires a passion for learning, pursues academic and creative excellence and is dedicated to the service of others.

Visit the school website for more information.

Family Reviewed – overall rating for teaching families

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

Highly recommend

Overall compensation package rating

Excellent – very generous for families

Tuition benefits

3 children if both parents are teaching

Housing

Good (covers most family housing needs)

Flights

Annual round-trip flights for entire family

Healthcare

Comprehensive international coverage for entire family with minimal out-of-pocket

High quality and readily accessible

Adjustment for kids

Very easily – thrived immediately

Support for partners

Excellent – partner is a teacher and found a job at the same school

Overall school community support for families

Excellent – extensive support network

Extracurricular opportunities for kids

Good – a decent range of activities with some high-quality options

Most activities have additional fees but are reasonably priced

Retirement/pension benefits

Excellent (10%+ contribution)

School leadership rating & stability

Good – generally responsive and supportive

Very stable (same leadership for 5+ years)

Seoul Foreign School – Additional Benefits

  • Free/subsidised school meals
  • Technology allowance/equipment
  • Maternity leave beyond legal minimum
  • Professional development budget
  • Relocation allowance
  • Paternity leave
  • Settling-in allowance
  • Regular family events / buddy system

My advice to other teaching families moving to Seoul Foreign School would to be open-minded. Make time to explore outside of the school campus.

Current Teacher with 3 Kids

The best aspects of this school are the community, package benefits, school facilities and overall safety of living in South Korea.

Current Teacher with Teaching Spouse

It is a “Christian school for everyone” so there are some chapels etc., but there’s no requirement to practice Christianity.

Current Teacher
View looking up at Seoul Tower, in Seoul, South Korea
Two women in traditional Korean hanbok walking at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul
Merchant carrying goods in a bustling Seoul market alley, what you can see if you teach in South Korea.

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Excellent – very safe environment
  • Adaptability: Easy – mostly welcoming with some minor adjustments
  • Cost of Living: Affordable – comfortable lifestyle

General Overview for Teaching Families

More than 40% for a teacher.

Good – reasonable balance

40-45 hours

Very flexible and accommodating

Don’t know

New family orientation program, family mentoring/buddy system, regular family social events, cultural integration support

Can be a bubble.

Extensive support – Offers language classes, cultural orientation, HR assistance (housing, banking, healthcare), and ongoing help.

All (though especially Christian families).

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