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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5 Ways to Use ChatGPT for the Language Barrier in Korea
Did you know that ChatGPT can help you navigate the language barrier in South Korea? Our volunteers and community members successfully use ChatGPT in daily life for reading and analyzing Korean. Here are some of our use cases. What is ChatGPT? We have met many people who have not heard of or used ChatGPT. So we asked Chat GPT to explain what it is and it gave this very wordy explanation: “ChatGPChatGPT is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI, designed to understand and generate human-like text based on the…
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Discover Dalbang / Wolbang Short-Term Rentals in Korea
Looking for short-term rentals in South Korea? Maybe you want to ski for the season, spend a month at your favorite beach, or need a place to stay between work contracts. Consider renting a dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) (these terms literally translate to monthly rental). You can rent a hotel, pension, or apartment for a short time with a less intense deposit than a regular apartment. About dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) Dalbangs (달방) / wolbang (월방) exist as a popular type of monthly, short-term rentals in South Korea.…
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Types of Menstrual Products in Korea
Wondering what your menstrual (feminine hygiene) product options are? Let’s take a look at what types of products you can find in stores and online. The more you know, the more empowered you become to find what works for you. Types of Menstrual Products in Korea Navigating menstrual care in Korea may feel stressful if the products differ from your home country. However, the country of Korea offers a diverse range of products that cater to various needs and preferences, from traditional pads to innovative period underwear. With increasing awareness…
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Exploring What Certified Vegan in Korea Means
Interest in vegan food continues to grow across South Korea. This prompted new and old organizations to start programs to certify products as vegan. Here is more information on one such organization, the Korea Agency of Veng Certification and Services which created a Certified Vegan label in Korea. Some Companies Cerifying Food Vegan in Korea In South Korea, several organizations certify products as vegan. Businesses can hire such companies to review their products and provide a certification that helps boost consumer faith that these products are indeed vegan. These organizations…
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SOS Book Club Pick: Nuclear Family
Welcome, book lovers and South of Seoul community! This month, our book club dives into “Nuclear Family” by Joseph Han. It’s a novel that explores the life of a Korean American family caught in the throes of personal and political turmoil. Han’s unique narrative style blends realism with a touch of the surreal, making “Nuclear Family” a must-read for those who appreciate depth and innovation in storytelling. About the South of Seoul Book Club If you are familiar with the series, skip ahead to learn more about “Almond: A Novel.”…
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Overview of Renting in Pyeongtaek
Looking for a home in or near Pyeongtaek-si? Understanding your rental options in the area of Pyeontaek may feel frustrating due to the different types of rental systems, competitive market, language barrier, cultural differences, and so much more. In this article, we will dig deeper into the rental systems in Pyeongtaek. This will include how the US Military impacts renting in the area. My Lens on Renting in Pyeongtaek I moved to Pyeongtaek in 2011 on an E2 Visa. Contracts for E2 teachers often provide the option to accept employer-provided…
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Managing Your Korean Credit Rating
If you plan to live in Korea for a long period, you may want to understand your Korean credit rating (Credit Score). Here are a few things you may need to know to put yourself in a good position to access credit like credit cards, car loans, or a house loan. About Credit Rating Systems Globally, credit rating systems vary significantly. You can’t expect any country’s credit system to work the same as yours. The systems might be based on different information, used for different types of transactions, and managed…
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Expat Guide to Navigating Credit Cards in Korea
As an international resident, building a life in South Korea can feel complicated, especially managing finances. So let’s learn about getting a credit card in Korea. The personal experiences in the following blog post include E and F-visa holders in South Korea. Getting a Credit Card May Feel Scary Learning a new financial system while dealing with hidden aspects of culture and a new language may feel unfair and frustrating. The following blog post combines information sourced from 1) financial institutions and 2) lived human experiences. We hope the information…
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Multi-Resort Season Ski and Snowboard Pass for Korea
Want to buy a multi-resort season ski and Snowboard Pass for Korea but the details seem a little fuzzy? We purchased ours for the first time this year and wanted to share our experience. The following post may help clarify the X5 process and share a few tips and tricks we wish we had known. My Experience with X5 Multi-Pass Before we start talking about the passes, I want to say that my only regret is that I didn’t buy mine in past years. As a person who lives to…
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Making Jang (장) for Kimjang (김장)
Want to learn more about making jang for kimjang? The following post is one of a series that seeks to capture aspects of this verbal tradition in English. The following post focuses on the sauce or ‘jang’. The information is for international families who wish to start their own community kimjang or English-speaking Koreans living abroad who may not have access to traditional information. Let’s dive deep into the information together. About Jang for Kimjang Around the world and across South Korea, you will find hundreds of different kimchi recipes…
