Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAIT
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor's of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master's of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn't in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
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Award Winning Craft Beer in Korea at White Crow
Looking for a home away from home with fantastic, award-winning craft beer in Korea? Then you need to head to White Crow in Pyeongchang-gun, about a 20-minute drive from Dunnae KTX Station and 15 minutes from WelliHilli. Visit here often, and you might just find yourself tapping into beers and a rich community. My Lens on this Recommendation When you are a tourist, you have different priorities than when you live in a place. At South of Seoul, we help international residents find spots that make Korea home. That’s why…
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Dunnae Day Trip from Seoul for Foodies
Would you like to escape the maddening crowds in your area? Trying to find a unique day trip from Seoul? Maybe you are a tourist looking to get outside Seoul, into a small town to try the food in a non-tourist area? Consider spending the weekend in Dunnae. Here are our absolute favorite spots in a town that feels like home. A Peaceful Place to Explore Korean Cuisine We often tell people to get outside Seoul or Busan and into the little towns. However, this is kind of a wild…
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Refile Korean Taxes in May, Get the Tax Refunds You Deserve
Managing your taxes in South Korea can sometimes feel like a mystery, so welcome to my new series for those struggling to understand the Korean income tax system and how it applies to them. Let’s begin by talking about how to get your Korean tax refunds by filing your taxes in May. You can refile Your taxes Did you know you can get more money back from your taxes, even after you have already filed them? In South Korea, workers can refile or adjust their income tax in May to…
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Food Shopping Tip: Korean Buckwheat Crackers
As a person with histamine issues, I can’t go hard on the Korean convenience store snacks. Thankfully, the traditional markets have some wonderful snacking alternatives. The maemil snacks (메밀과자), or Korean Buckwheat Crackers, remain one of my favorites for a wide variety of reasons. Let’s dive in. Explore Korean Culture Through Food Incorporating 메밀과자 into your meals is a wonderful way to explore Korean culinary traditions. Buckwheat has been a part of Korean cuisine for centuries, and by adding these crackers to your pantry, you’re not just enjoying a snack…
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Algorithms, Confirmation Bias, and the Expat Experience in Korea
When you are homesick it can be easy to turn to social media platforms for support regarding your Expat Experience in Korea. However, this may not always be a healthy choice for those struggling with culture shock. The following post delves into how social media algorithms, confirmation bias, and the expat experience intersect. Not a sexy topic but very important for happiness. My Experience with Algorithms and Culture Shock As an international resident in South Korea with nearly 25 years of experience in algorithms, SEO, social media, and their impact…
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Who is a Foreigner in Korea?
Have you ever felt frustrated by using a “foreigner-friendly service” that didn’t meet YOUR personal needs, even though you are a foreigner? Let’s talk about the issues around the term “foreigner” and how it may negatively impact programs designed to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in South Korea. From One Foreigner to Another First of all, I want to clearly state that I am a foreigner in Korea who has lived in Korea since 2011. I have volunteered to help design information and programming for foreign integration into rural Korea…
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How I Use AI to Navigate Korean Traditional Medicine Teas
Interested in accessing traditional medicine in South Korea? I’ve been visiting such clinics for the last 14 years and recently started using AI to better understand the teas I experience. So here is how I use AI to navigate Korean Traditional Medicine teas. Disclaimers & Foundational Information Nothing in this post exists as medical advice. Neither AI nor myself hold any medical training. You should always consult your physician regarding anything to do with your health. Additionally, AI information often has intense errors. You need to validate any information produced…
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A Local Guide for Women’s Salons in Korea
Like international men, international women living in or visiting South Korea also deserve comprehensive guidance on getting their hair cut. Over the last 14 years, I visited dozens of salons across Korea. I’ve gone alone and with friends. Using those experiences, I’ve compiled information you might need for your next visit. Get ready for insights about women’s haircuts in Korea. Content Framework This Local Guide for Women’s Salons in Korea and Guide for Men’s Haircuts in Korea have many similarities. I created a template and changed the details relevant to…
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Guide for Men’s Haircuts in Korea
Men living in or visiting South Korea deserve better guidance on getting their haircuts. After 13 years of visiting men’s salons with my partner, I’ve finally compiled a guide for men’s haircuts in Korea to help you feel more comfortable visiting men’s stylists across South Korea. Get ready for detailed insights about men’s haircuts in Korea. Content Framework This Guide for Men’s Haircuts in Korea our Local Guide for Women’s Salons in Korea have many similarities. I created a template and changed the details relevant to each gender. The information that’s duplicated…
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How We Use AI At South of Seoul
Have you ever wondered how we use AI at South of Seoul? If you aren’t, you should be. It’s worth considering how all your favorite creators are using AI. Let’s discuss our organization’s AI journey and how we integrate it into our program. While AI is deeply involved in our content creation process, we carefully balance its use to maintain human accuracy, creativity, and nuance in everything we publish. Early AI Adoption We started testing the abilities of AI around December 1st, 2022. The technology was released to the public…
