When Stéphanie Guillaume boarded her flight from Switzerland to South Korea in 2022, she wasn’t running away from failure, she was running toward freedom.
The Lausanne native, then 35, had spent nearly two years in a job that paid the bills but starved her spirit. One simple question from a friend — “What are you still doing here?” — was enough to ignite a long-held dream.
“I wasn’t satisfied with my life,” Guillaume admitted when she shared her extraodrinary story with Business Insider Africa. “I just realized time passed, and I was like, oh my God, it’s going to be two years here, and I don’t even like this job.”
It wasn’t the first time she’d thought about Seoul. A decade earlier, on her first visit to South Korea at age 22, Guillaume had fallen in love with the rhythm of the city, its balance of modern energy and cultural soul. “It felt like home,” she recalled. But life, as it often does, got in the way.
After years working in digital marketing and sales, a company bankruptcy pushed her into a role she never wanted. By 2022, with no partner, no children, and no excuses, Guillaume decided to bet on herself. She applied for a student visa through a Korean language program, and seven months later, she was gone.
A Fresh Start in Seoul
Her new life began at Kookmin University, where she spent mornings in intensive Korean classes and afternoons buried in homework.
“I had class every day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” she said. “The rest of the day was spent studying.”
The transition wasn’t seamless. Finding housing in Seoul’s fast-moving rental market required patience, but luck — and community — were on her side. She found an apartment near Seoul Forest, a green oasis that quickly became her escape.
“When I feel overwhelmed, I need to have some nature nearby,” she said.
Her modern studio came with a small kitchenette and access to shared amenities, including a gym and co-working spaces. The rent — roughly 1.167 million Korean won ($810 USD) — covered everything from utilities to internet. It wasn’t cheap, but it was freedom.
Building a New Chapter
After a year of language study, Guillaume transitioned to a business visa and began planning the launch of a travel experience company. The goal: help others discover South Korea beyond the tourist lens.
Navigating Korea’s administrative maze proved challenging. “The paperwork was overwhelming,” she said. “Thankfully, I had friends who helped me.” Still, the process didn’t dampen her enthusiasm.
Today, Guillaume has built a life that feels both full and free. Her days begin slowly — tea in hand, sometimes a morning walk — followed by yoga, meditation, or business planning.
“I structure my schedule how I want,” she said. “That’s a big luxury compared to working a 9-to-5.”
Finding Connection Abroad
South Korea has seen a rise in foreign residents — 2.65 million by the end of 2024, according to the Ministry of Justice, a 5.7% increase from the previous year. Guillaume is part of that wave, but unlike many, she made a conscious effort to build genuine community.
“The first year, I made it a goal to go out to at least one event a week,” she said. From expat meetups to Rotary gatherings, she’s formed deep friendships — both with locals and other foreigners. “I have a small circle of Korean girlfriends and a wider network of expats,” she added.
Yet, her advice for anyone considering a similar leap comes with a dose of realism:
“Make sure you’re comfortable being alone. Or have a strong support system — people you can count on, whether they’re here or back home.”
Reinvention Through Courage
Guillaume’s story is not just about travel; it’s about transformation. It’s a quiet rebellion against the notion that stability equals happiness. By walking away from a “secure” job, she reclaimed authorship of her life.
Her move to Seoul wasn’t a fantasy of escape but a deliberate act of self-renewal.
[This story was culled from an article first published by Business Insider Africa]
