Jeju Island vs Penang? If you’re considering teaching overseas, Jeju Island in South Korea and Penang in Malaysia are both stunning options. Both are located on islands (although Penang is also a state and includes a mainland portion), and each one offers unique advantages and challenges. 

While both are beautiful and feature UNESCO World Heritage sites, there are some big differences in lifestyle, accessibility, infrastructure, and culture. 

Here’s my take on the key factors that make each of these places special (South Korea vs Malaysia!) – and where they fall a bit short!

1. Language Barrier & Communication (Jeju Island vs Penang)

One of the biggest differences between Jeju and Penang is the ease of communication for English-speaking expats. 

English is widely spoken in Malaysia, especially in Penang, which has a strong colonial history and a very multicultural population. Doing your shopping, visiting the doctor, or setting up utilities is stress-free for English speakers. It’s incredibly easy, and after a few years in more challenging countries, it’s been a very welcome change!

In contrast, Jeju-do (Korean for Jeju Island), while popular with tourists (particularly Korean tourists from the mainland), is far more challenging for non-Korean speakers. While you’ll find English speakers in cafes and some restaurants, daily interactions, especially with government offices or smaller businesses, are more of a challenge. Google Translator also isn’t very accurate! Your best bet is to use Papago, which, although not always perfect, does a better job and can make it a little easier to communicate.

My advice? If you can, try to make friends with some locals. Not only will you get a completely different perspective of living in Korea – but they can also help you when you need it (like in my experience when your car breaks down)! 

2. Availability of Western Goods & Comforts

If you’re craving Western products, Malaysia is the clear winner. Penang has some big supermarkets like Jaya Grocer and Village Grocer, which not only stock a heap of imported goods from Europe and the US but also have heaps of Australian brands and products (including vegemite!). There are also tonnes of international food options when eating out, giving you plenty of variety. And there’s lots for vegetarians. 

Jeju Island, on the other hand, has smaller supermarkets (especially around the Global Education City, where the schools are located). The supermarket in the GEC does carry some Western imported goods, but they are limited and usually expensive.  

Expats often have to order specialty items online retailers (thanks Coupang for regularly stocking Weet-Bix!). If you’re particular about brands or specific ingredients, particularly for things like baking, it can be frustrating. For example, making Anzac biscuits was off the agenda for three years, as getting desiccated coconut and golden syrup was impossible.

3. Cleanliness & Public Hygiene

For the cleanliness of public areas, South Korea is the clear winner. Jeju Island’s public restrooms are well-maintained, clean, and free to use. Even on smaller hiking trails far from the main towns, you’ll typically find decent toilets with toilet paper. Given the cold winters, heated toilets also add a little luxury to keep you warm!

In Penang, and all over Malaysia really, public toilets are definitely more hit or miss. Many require a small fee for entry and are not always the cleanest! Toilet rolls are located outside the stall, so be sure to grab some before you go in! While the big shopping malls and restaurants offer clean restrooms, street markets and older areas can be a different story. You’ll also get stand-up (squat) toilets in Malaysia (sometimes the only choice).

Jeju’s general infrastructure is well maintained, and although there’s still more rubbish than I expected (particularly on some hiking trails), there is regular street cleaning.

Penang, while charming, has more visible littering issues, and some public spaces can feel less maintained. 

4. Walkability & Public Transport – Jeju Island vs Penang

If you love walking, Jeju Island is AMAZING. Despite being a largely rural island, many areas, especially in Jeju City and Seogwipo, are pedestrian-friendly, with well looked after footpaths. A heap of scenic coastal trails and hiking paths are also available – all clearly signed and safe for kids.

Penang, while not entirely unwalkable, definitely presents more of a challenge! In Batu Ferringhi (where we live), the footpaths are either nonexistent, uneven, or blocked by parked motorbikes.

There are some hiking trails in the national park and in and around Penang Hill. Still, the heat and humidity can make even short walks feel exhausting! You’ll definitely have to start early to help avoid the heat, but it won’t get light until around 7.30 a.m., which makes it a bit of a challenge. Overall, the infrastructure isn’t as pedestrian-friendly as Jeju’s.

5. Cost of Living

For affordability, Penang wins hands down. Grocery shopping and eating out are far cheaper in Penang than Jeju Island. Street food is especially great value, as you can grab a meal for just a few dollars.

Jeju has seen a huge rise in costs in recent years, particularly for housing and groceries. Our average weekly grocery shop more than doubled within one year, with the prices for fruit and veg skyrocketing (even shopping at local markets). 

For example, a block of cheese can easily set you back US$20, while watermelons (which can’t be grown on Jeju and need to be imported) can go for as high as US$30 to $50, depending on the season. Even tangerines, which Jeju is famous for, are expensive. 

In contrast, fruit and vegetables in Penang are super cheap. But expect to pay more for imported items. Being a Muslim country, alcohol and meats like ham and bacon are also pricey (and only available at certain stores). 

6. Climate & Air Quality

Both islands have warm, humid summers, but their climates differ in key ways. Jeju has four distinct seasons. There are cherry blossoms in spring and hot and humid summers (be careful if you travel over summer and leave your apartment, which will build up mould VERY quickly due to the humidity). You’ll enjoy a mild stunning autumn with stunning gold and orange leaves and very chilly winters. While it’s not as cold as some other places in the world, it was still VERY chilly for me. I never quite got used to those winds coming in from Siberia!

Penang, in contrast, is tropical year-round. Get used to being sweaty, with consistently high temperatures and humidity. While there’s no real risk of typhoons like Jeju, heavy monsoon rains can lead to flooding in low-lying areas. 

The air quality can also fluctuate in both locations; it’s usually pretty good. There can be some times throughout the year when fires impact the quality of the air. It’s a good idea to monitor it and stay indoors for sensitive groups. A handy app to download is the IQ Air app.

7. International Schools On Jeju Island vs Penang

Finding the right school is obviously a massive consideration if you have kids – or you’re looking to teach. Penang has a diverse range of truly international schools, with IB, British, and American curriculums available. Due to the high number of expats, the school make-up is truly international – your kids will make friends with kids from all over. Like anywhere, similar people can tend to stick together, so you may find your kids befriending people from your own country. The schools are also very transient due to the expat community, with kids constantly coming and going.

Jeju is unique because it operates as a special autonomous province within South Korea. This means it has a degree of administrative independence. So Korean students are allowed to attend international schools on Jeju – something that’s banned on the mainland (unless they have dual passports). 

This means all of the international school on Jeju are predominantly made up of Korean students – along with some Chinese and a smattering of teachers’ kids. This can make it tough for some kids to integrate. You’ll typically (though not always) see exclusion and a clear divide between friendship groups. 

It also brings other pressures due to the cultural perspective on education and academic pressure. Many kids (particularly older kids) in Jeju attend additional ‘academies’ outside school. This means that after the school day, they attend another school with private tutors for hours, sometimes until 9 or 10 p.m. The result? Many kids are ahead of the curriculum for their year level, particularly in maths. So, the curriculum at schools was often skewed towards those kids. 

For example, my two eldest were taught math that was at least two or three years (sometimes more) ahead of the required curriculum for their age. As you’d expect, this massively impacted their confidence. Now, in Penang, they’re excelling in maths again and have their confidence back.

These academies and education culture also affect other areas of children’s lives, leading to late nights and not enough sleep, especially in younger children. Many children fall asleep in class, and I once attended a dance recital where two of the kids (in Year 1) were literally dancing with their eyes closed. 

It also impacts the time they have for free play. Many of the kids struggled to know how to play independently outside of a structured environment, which was really sad to see.

8. Access to the Rest of Asia & Travel

Penang is one of the best expat destinations in Asia, full of expats from all walks of life. It boasts an international airport that offers great connectivity to most of Southeast Asia. Low-cost carriers like AirAsia provide frequent flights to Thailand, Indonesia, and beyond. To get home to Australia, we can fly via Singapore, which is only an hour’s flight from Penang.

Jeju, while well connected domestically, requires a layover in Seoul or Busan for most international destinations (although there are a few exceptions – including Japan, Taiwan and China). The biggest pain is that you need to transfer airports in Seoul to connect international flights, which is about a 45-minute cab ride or an hour by train. This transfer usually adds a few hours in total to your trip when you factor in waiting times.

9. Best for Kids: Parks, Activities, and Attitudes

Jeju offers lots of outdoor adventures with plenty of hiking trails and nature-focused activities. And some very random museums. But playgrounds are limited outside school (and they’re not that great in some schools either!). The beaches, however, are absolutely stunning! There is plenty of white sand and crystal clear blue waters. It’s not called Hawaii of Asia for nothing. And if you before 11am, you’ll pretty much have the beach (and any tourist spot really) to yourself as we found Koreans don’t get up early. Just don’t expect to be able to grab a coffee, as the cafes also won’t open until 11!

Penang offers some great activities, like water parks, beaches (though not for swimming as jellyfish are usually around and the water isn’t the cleanest), and interactive museums. Locals are very warm and welcoming toward kids, and in our experience, family-friendly dining and entertainment are more easily accessible than in Korea.

10. Healthcare in Jeju vs. Penang: A Comparison

When it comes to healthcare, both Jeju Island and Penang offer decent medical services and access, but there are some considerations, particularly if you’ve got kids or need access to specialists.

Jeju Island Health Care

Jeju’s healthcare system is efficient and well-equipped, and it benefits from South Korea’s high medical standards. The island has several general hospitals and clinics, but you’ll need to travel to Seoul for more specialised care.

All of the international schools will offer some form of health insurance as part of their package, with benefits varying depending on each school’s set up. In our experience, the health insurance at our school was one of the most comprehensive we’ve seen – including worldwide coverage and dental.

We were also told by other expats that you can use the Korean national healthcare service as a resident to access services, but we didn’t need to do this given our insurance covered most things (except eye care).

Language can definitely be a barrier—some doctors have limited English, and finding English-speaking staff outside major hospitals can be challenging. The same goes for dentists. If your kids need a dentist, be aware that legally in South Korea dentists aren’t allowed to give any pain medication. So if you can hold off and schedule regular checks ups back in your home country I would strongly recommend this option!

Penang Health Care

Penang, Malaysia, is a well-known hub for medical tourism. The island boasts modern, private hospitals with internationally accredited specialists, many of whom were trained overseas. English is widely spoken in the medical field, making communication so much easier than in Korea.

While Malaysia has a public healthcare system, expats and medical tourists often opt for private hospitals, where the costs are still significantly lower than in many Western countries but provide faster access to care. Most of the international schools also provide health insurance coverage as part of your package – but based on our experience it’s pretty basic and you’ll need to dip into your own pocket.

Key Differences:

• Specialist Care: Jeju often requires travel to the mainland, while Penang offers a range of specialists locally.
• Language: English is more commonly spoken in Penang’s medical facilities.
• Affordability: Both are cost-effective, but Penang’s private hospitals provide high-quality care at competitive rates.
• Accessibility: Walk-in clinics and pharmacies in Penang are more foreigner-friendly, while Jeju’s system can be more challenging from a language perspective depending on where you’re based.

Which One is Right for You?

Jeju and Penang both have their strengths and weaknesses as expat destinations. 

Jeju is great if you prefer a cleaner, more organised environment with great walking tracks, beautiful nature, and a seasonal climate. It’s a fantastic place for those who don’t mind a language barrier and can adapt to a quieter lifestyle (many of the younger, single teachers found it tough as the international schools are located 40 minutes from Seogwipo, where the nearest nightlife is).

Penang is a top choice if you want an easier transition. It has widely spoken English, great food, a lower cost of living, and a relaxed tropical lifestyle. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a truly ‘international’ school environment, with access to Western comforts and nightlife.

Both offer a unique experience, and your choice will ultimately depend on your lifestyle preferences, and budget. But even the most beautiful places can turn nightmarish if you’re not in the right school for yourself as an educator – or your kids are struggling. 

Make sure to ask around and check out forums before accepting any jobs. Don’t be afraid to ask during your interview if you can contact current staff (usually a red flag if they say no!). There are also plenty of Facebook groups and paid forums like International School Review where you can sign up to check other teacher’s experiences.  

Moving with kids to a new school environment is daunting – and you want to ensure you get the right school for your family!