In terms of religious, racial, economic and cultural diversity, are the people of this city or town diverse? Are they accepting of differences? Describe.

Koreans are the best and the worst. An outsider may think they are cold, stoic, uncaring and a bit rude....but this is just not true, in my mind. Here's a story: in my building the older security guard would just look at me as I came in the door. I thought it was kind of rude...no wave or smile or word...but later I heard from a Korean friend that that is just how he should react to me, a foreigner. How can he say anything? If he made a gesture he might offend (we all know how some movements are respectful in some countries but an insult in other parts of the world). So, he did his best to be respectful by doing nothing. Later he started to salute me as I came in, which was fine...I did a little bow back and within a few months he actually cracked a smile.

That anecdote aside, most Koreans are fairly outgoing, when they need to be. Most are deathly afraid of trying out 'their poor Engrish' and usually take a backseat in conversations. They are not prone to dispute things with a foreigner (we are usually larger and have an incredible grasp of English and usually no knowledge of Korean, which gives us a huge advantage....or disadvantage depending on your viewpoint).

Koreans think a few things about foreigners (Westerners in particular, especially from the US). They are dirty (Koreans are some of the cleanest people around), they smell even though Koreans sweat it rarely smells...which is odd given their daily intake of garlic), they are unfaithful (Westerners divorce...but many Koreans, according to a study cheat on their spouses as well, but they don't divorce), and they will be gone soon (many foreigners are in Korea for a few days or months or years, and then go home. So don't be too surprised if you feel like a new guy in a Vietnam platoon--where no one recognized your existance until you are around for a couple of weeks--it'll pass and they will warm up to you: or you'll go home...

Koreans are, on the face of it, homogeneous. They have similar fashions, only a few deviants (unlike, say, Seattle) and with the clear-cut emphasis on family and work for the sexes it is not odd even to see same-sex parties, gatherings and (where they are mixed parties) mini-cliques. Under the surface, and after some time, many find that Koreans can be very, very different from one another--and why not? they are just like people anywhere: they want to fit in and be themselves as well.

Religiously, Korea is basically Protestant/Presbyterian (that big church I mentioned is Presbyterian). A few Roman Catholics and many more Bhuddists (especially in the South city of Pusan). Korean church-goers can be pretty aggressive (read: fervent) in their beliefs, but all, I believe, respect your beliefs. No problems here.

What are the main industries in this city? What types of career opportunities commonly exist? How do most people find new jobs?

Seoul has everything that any big city has: finance, education, marketing, construction, real estate and pretty much everything else you'd expect to see in a city larger than New York.

The one thing that may be different from cities in the West is the emphasis on connections in getting jobs, positions and titles. It was said that you need a connection even to get a job in a toll-booth...and this may be true. Friends do business with friends here and they hire their friends and relatives of friends and friends of relatives and friends of friends. Once you're in you're golden, but to be an outsider is tougher.

If a friend of yours was thinking of moving to this city or town from far away, what other advice would you give them.

Come here first for a couple of weeks. Take a look around. Check out the sights (once you start working you'll hardly ever get out). Come again for another stay. Meet people. Visit again 2 or 3 times to build connections and solidify relationships (as well as you can)...but if the right offer comes along don't be backward about accepting. Plan on being here for 2-5-7 years....Koreans like to see a long term mindset. You have to mean it, though, as you may be presented with a long term contract and be expected to sign it.

Learn as much hangul (Korean anphabet) as you can. Even if you can't understand very much, knowing the written language makes things a lot easier.

Meet people here as much as you can. Many meetings and meals and drinking nights are needed to get things on track.

Moving to Korea soon?