Phil “The Blerd Explorer”, is an ESL teacher in Incheon, South Korea. Born on a military base in Mississippi, he grew up in Alabama, Washington, and South Carolina before seeing an ad to become a teacher in South Korea. He’s the author of The Black Traveler’s Guide to Incheon, South Korea and uses his travel content to encourage the Black community to get out of their comfort zone and see the world. Hear the ups and downs of teaching ESL in South Korea, the Korean language barrier and transportation tips, and what you can expect when moving to Asia.
Phil’s Blaxit Blueprint:
1) Get Clear About What You Don’t Want: Phil always had a love of travel and wanted to travel on his own terms. He knew that he did not want to pursue the military as a pathway to traveling abroad. Becoming an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher provided the opportunity to move abroad.
2) Understanding the System: Being an ESL teacher in South Korea comes with its own set of challenges including navigating “the system” as it relates to the different types of employment options. Phil has had his share of unpleasant employment experiences but it hasn’t deterred him from enjoying his time in South Korea.
3) Creating New Opportunities: Given the requirements of his visa, Phil cannot create a secondary income stream which became a challenge after becoming furloughed due to the pandemic. Phil was able to think outside of the box and channel his love of Incheon to help other Black travelers into “The Black Traveler’s Guide to Incheon, South Korea”.The book served as a creative outlet as well as providing some income for him as he awaits reinstatement at his job.
Buy The Black Traveler’s Guide to Incheon, South Korea on Amazon
Follow Phil “The Blerd Explorer” on Instagram: @the_blerd_explorer
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