In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mark Balneger, a Dutch expat 🇳🇱 who moved to South Korea 🇰🇷on a whim and ended up building an incredible life there over the past 9 years.What started as a last-minute university exchange turned into a decade-long adventure! Since arriving in Seoul, Mark has worn many hats - from working in marketing by day and bartending by night, to starring in over 20 movies and 15 commercials, and even launching his own startup with support from the Korean government. Now, he leads Study in Asia, an EdTech company, connecting international students with opportunities to study across Asia. It was such a candid and thoughtful conversation about life in South Korea as an expat, growth, grit, and what happens when you lean into the unexpected. 🎧 Listen now to here Mark's journey from the Netherlands to South Korea! ⏰ Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:34 Mark's Journey to South Korea02:34 Cultural Shocks and Adjustments06:11 Dutch Culture vs. Korean Culture09:45 Living in Seoul vs. Busan17:00 Starting a Career in Korea20:38 Current Role at Study in Asia24:47 Advice for Moving to Korea27:56 Life Mantra and Stoic Philosophy👉 Connecting with Mark on LinkedIn👉 Connecting with Lucy on LinkedIn