At 25, with a burning enthusiasm for musical escapades and my weighty Fender bass guitar in tow, I took a flight to South Korea, ill-prepared for the harsh Eastern Asian winter. As a part-apologetic electrical engineering graduate from DIT and a hopeful from Greystones, I set off with the intent to elude the economic slump for a couple of years, and try my luck as the succeeding Joe Strummer. Little did I understand, this momentous decision would leave a resounding impact on my subsequent decade and more, thoroughly enjoying my stint as an indie artist, music coach and a Korean-speaking celebrity on reality TV.
My journey was bolstered continuously by the steadfast encouragement from my wife, and soon we found ourselves in Varna, Bulgaria, with me pursuing medical studies.
Setting my foot in Seoul for the first time felt like an immersion in a sci-fi motion picture. The city was ever awake with a vibrant nightlife under the glow of neon lights, jam-packed metro trains and streets filled with bustling eateries – quite dissimilar to Dublin in 2010.
Author of ‘Kala’, Colin Walsh writes, ‘The financial meltdown forced my social group to disperse worldwide, with many choosing not to return’.
‘Living overseas is a transformative experience that enables us to explore new cultures, views and opportunities’
Seoul could appear overpowering for many, but for me, it played like a resonating melody. I was quickly drawn into the dynamic indie music world, providing the city’s unique, animated rhythm as a bass guitarist.
My initial teaching stint on an English as a second language teaching visa soon took a backseat as I received offers from television and prestigious stages.
After successful auditions, I joined notable Korean bands, playing at rock concerts in front of massive crowds, including opening acts for legendary touring bands – Foo Fighters, Kasabian and Motörhead. Our tours extended to Japan, China and Taiwan. With my daily interactions in a Korean-speaking milieu, I capitalised on the chance to grasp the language.
Desiring self-sufficiency and increased authority over my artistic pursuits, I founded The Scarlet Pillows, an indie band comprised of four members, where I served as the lead vocalist. This venture placed us in the crosshairs of reality television producers, and soon enough, I featured on TV and Netflix programmes that garnered audience figures in the millions. I started getting recognised in public places, with strangers requesting photos, and even found myself being surrounded by frenzied crowds during leisurely evenings with friends. I was guest on the Dave Fanning show broadcasted on RTÉ 2FM, where one of my tracks was played. Nevertheless, amidst all this acclaim, a persistent urge began to divert my attention elsewhere.
Historically, the weather is outstanding, the beverages are inexpensive, residential costs are impressively low, and the beach is pure paradise.
Since my early thirties, I had been harbouring fantasies of a radically different course in life. After exploiting the best years of my youth, I felt an increasing pull to aid those struggling with barriers that impede them from enjoying similar experiences. I concluded that becoming a medical practitioner was the most effective means to fulfil this aspiration.
Due to my prolonged residence outside the European Union, pursuing studies as a mature student in Ireland was not feasible. This obstruction led me to uncover Bulgarian tertiary education institutions that provide medical training in English. Upon thorough deliberation, we selected Varna, a relatively untouched jewel steaming with a warm, sun-drenched beachside atmosphere on the shores of the Black Sea.
I succeeded in convincing my Korean spouse to not just endorse my medical career ambitions at the advanced age of 37, but also to join me on this journey to eastern Europe. We tied the knot shortly before our departure from Korea, and her unwavering support has been of infinite value. Without her and the sturdy support from both our families, this endeavour couldn’t have been contemplated.
Fast approaching my third-year finals at the Medical University Varna, I’m relishing every bit of the course and the friendly atmosphere around me. Given that Bulgaria is a European Union member state with a young populous fluent in English, it provides a less arduous transition for Irish citizens compared to Korea.
Courtesy of budget airlines, the frequency of trips back home has increased significantly. While there are numerous Irish medical students in Poland and Hungary, in my opinion, they’re missing out on the fun domiciled here. With exceptional weather, reasonable beer prices, surprisingly low rent rates and the beach as an idyllic reality, it is the place to be.
The entry qualifications for foreign medical studies might be somewhat more forgiving compared to those required in Ireland, but it doesn’t make the course less challenging. For me, it’s an intense journey and it takes everything I have to succeed in each examination segment. The application process to the university isn’t straightforward, leading me and my wife to establish Irish Doctors Bulgaria, a company specifically created to support Irish students through their applications.
It’s crucial for me to share my experiences with others in Ireland considering a medical career. It’s an achievable goal with a high enough drive. If an average Joe like me from Greystones can manage to do it, it’s certainly within anyone’s reach.
– Neil Smith; a resident of Greystones, Co Wicklow, he decided to take his guitar and embark on a journey to Korea when he was 25, back in February 2010. These days, he works hard on his medical studies in Bulgaria.
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