π How to Learn Korean While Living Abroad (Not in Korea)

Dreaming of mastering Korean but not living in Korea? Don’t worry — millions of people around the world are learning Korean successfully from their home countries. Whether you’re interested in K-dramas, want to travel, or plan to work with Korean companies, this guide will help you create an effective learning routine while staying globally connected.
π Table of Contents
- 1. Why Learn Korean Outside Korea?
- 2. Best Tools and Resources
- 3. Building a Study Routine
- 4. Find Your Korean Learning Community
- 5. Staying Motivated Without Immersion
- 6. Did You Know?
π 1. Why Learn Korean Outside Korea?
Learning Korean abroad gives you flexibility. You can customize your schedule, choose your learning path, and engage with the language at your own pace. K-content is everywhere now — so you’re never too far from Korean media, music, and news.
π ️ 2. Best Tools and Resources
Here are some powerful tools to help you learn Korean effectively from anywhere:
- Apps: Talk To Me In Korean, LingoDeer, Duolingo, Memrise
- YouTube Channels: KoreanClass101, TTMIK, seemile
- Websites: How to Study Korean, 90 Day Korean
- Online Classes: 1:1 lessons on italki
Make sure to mix passive learning (watching dramas) and active learning (speaking, writing).
⏰ 3. Building a Study Routine
Without full immersion, structure matters more! Try this weekly model:
- Monday: Grammar + Vocabulary
- Tuesday: Listening Practice (watch K-drama clips, K-pop lyrics)
- Wednesday: Speaking (shadowing, online language exchange)
- Thursday: Writing (journal in Korean or post on HelloTalk)
- Friday: Review + mini quiz
- Weekend: Free day or Korean cultural movie night π¬
Stay consistent, even if just 30 minutes a day.
π« 4. Find Your Korean Learning Community
Don’t study alone! Join Korean learning groups on Reddit, Discord, Facebook, or attend local meetups. Language exchange apps like Tandem or HelloTalk are also great to talk with native speakers.
π‘ 5. Staying Motivated Without Immersion
Set small, achievable goals — like watching a show without subtitles or ordering Korean food in Korean. Track your progress. Reward yourself. Follow Korean influencers or vloggers to keep your interest alive.
And don’t forget to celebrate your wins!
π‘ 6. Did You Know?
According to the Korea Foundation, over 1.3 million people worldwide are enrolled in Korean language courses — and that’s not even counting all the self-learners on YouTube and apps!
π Want to Learn More Korean?
π Join my italki class for a fun and customized learning experience!
We’ll practice real Korean, improve your pronunciation, and talk about life in Korea, even if you’re thousands of miles away.
Even if you’re far from Korea, I hope my blog makes you feel a little closer to it. Learning a language connects you to people, places, and dreams. Keep coming back and let’s keep growing together! π