From Burnout to Jeju: The Tour Guide Helping the World Discover Korea’s Most Magical Island | Soraya Ho 허소라

What happens when you walk away from a successful corporate career with no real plan, follow your curiosity across continents, and accidentally build an entirely new life?In this episode, Holly sits down with Soraya Ho, multilingual tour guide, podcaster, former software developer, and one of Jeju Island's most passionate cultural ambassadors.After years of intense corporate work in South Korea, Soraya made a life-changing decision to leave it all behind and travel through Latin America. What began as a short trip turned into a complete career pivot, leading her into tourism, language learning, cultural storytelling, and eventually a new life on Jeju Island.Together, Holly and Soraya explore the realities of Korean work culture, the unique identity of Jeju, the legendary Haenyeo women divers, ancient traditions, local myths, and what it means to create a life guided by curiosity instead of certainty.If you've ever wondered what life looks like outside the expected path, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the best opportunities begin when you stop trying to control the outcome.What you’ll learn in this episode:Why Soraya left a demanding corporate IT career in South KoreaHow a six-month Latin America trip changed the direction of her lifeThe surprising connection between travel, language, and reinventionWhat makes Jeju Island so different from mainland South KoreaThe truth about Jeju's legendary Haenyeo women diversWhy Jeju is often called the "Hawaii of South Korea"The unique culture, mythology, and traditions that still exist on the islandHow to become a great tour guide and read people quicklyWhy curiosity is one of the most powerful life skills you can developWhat it looks like to build a life around adventure instead of expectationsWe talk about:00:00 Meet Soraya Ho and her unexpected path to Jeju Island02:00 Life inside South Korea's corporate IT world04:00 The personal loss that sparked a major life change05:00 Traveling across Latin America and discovering a new direction08:00 Becoming a tour guide and leading month-long international trips13:00 Moving from Seoul to Jeju during the pandemic16:00 Reading people, managing groups, and guiding travelers19:00 Why sometimes it's better not to overthink big decisions20:00 Launching a podcast and sharing Jeju with the world21:00 The growing fascination with Jeju's Haenyeo women divers24:00 Jeju spirituality, traditions, and local rituals27:00 Training to become a Haenyeo diver herself31:00 The future of Jeju's diving culture and younger generations34:00 What makes a truly great tour guide36:00 The best time of year to visit Jeju Island38:00 Common misconceptions visitors have about Jeju41:00 Why Jeju's culture feels different from anywhere else in Korea43:00 Living as an outsider in a place with deep traditions47:00 Soraya's personal warning label and philosophy for lifeCall or Text or Chat the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988. Hours are available 24/7 and the cost is free. ORText HOME to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor through Crisis Text Line, a global not-for-profit organization. Free, 24/7, confidential.Connect with Soraya Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vamosajeju/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soraya.jeju/ Connect with Holly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehollyhughes/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hollyhughesintuitiveGet Holly’s book here: http://bit.ly/4ggvAamWebsite: https://hollyhughesintuitive.com/ #JejuIsland #SouthKoreaTravel #Haenyeo