Beyond the lab: Life in Korea as an international AI researcher

Meet Hiskias, an Ethiopian Research Scientist at AIM Intelligence in Seoul. We sat down with him to learn about his journey from Ethiopia to Korea, what it's like working in tech here, and why he believes more global talent should consider a tech career in Korea.

Profile snapshot

Name: Hiskias Dingeto
Nationality: Ethiopian
Current role & company: AIM Intelligence, Senior Research Scientist
Years in Korea: 6 years
Visa status: D10 -> E7
Languages spoken: English, Amharic, Korean (basic)
Previous countries worked in (if any): Ethiopia

Background & career

Q. Can you briefly introduce yourself and your current role?

My name is Hiskias Dingeto, and I’m from Ethiopia. I moved to Korea to pursue my graduate studies, where I recently completed my PhD in Information Security at Dongguk University. My research focused on AI Safety and Security, which closely aligns with AIM Intelligence’s mission. I’ve been working as a Research Scientist at AIM Intelligence for about seven months now.

Q. What was your career path before moving to Korea?

I studied Software Engineering for my undergraduate degree in Ethiopia and worked as a full-stack developer before relocating to Korea. Even after moving here, I had the opportunity to continue working part-time/freelancing as a developer. Having a strong technical background has given me an edge as I transitioned into AI-focused research and development.

Q. What inspired you to work in Korea?

I initially moved to Korea to pursue my graduate studies. At the time, I didn’t know much about the country, but I was curious to experience it. My university also offered me a full scholarship, which was a major incentive to make the move. Looking back, I wish I had done more research about what life in Korea would be like, but the experience has been very rewarding.

After graduating, I felt that staying here was the right choice so I could continue contributing to either academia or the industry. I initially leaned toward pursuing an academic path, but as a non-Korean researcher, it was a bit challenging to find long-term opportunities. At the same time, I wanted to explore research roles in the industry. I was fortunate enough to connect with one of the co-founders of my current company through LinkedIn, which led me to my current position. It wasn’t easy finding a job at first, as my research area is quite niche and the AI job market is very competitive, but I’m glad I was able to find a meaningful role that aligns with my expertise.

Experience working in Korea

Q. Tell us briefly about your company (size, industry focus, notable achievements).

AIM Intelligence has around 15 members working across different areas, including research, product development, and management. We primarily focus on AI Safety, especially red teaming AI systems and developing monitoring and guardrail tools for enterprises. Our clients include major companies such as LG, KT, and leading banks like Woori and KB. We’re currently in the pre-Series A funding stage and expanding our client base both in Korea and internationally, helping organizations make their AI systems safer and more secure. We also engage in frontier research, publishing papers in top-tier conferences such as ICML, ACL, and AAAI, work that my team and I are actively working on. In the long term, we aim, no pun intended, to become a global leader in AI safety infrastructure, enabling enterprises to deploy AI systems responsibly and securely.

Q. How did you find your current job? Was the hiring process challenging as a foreigner?

As mentioned before, I found my job through LinkedIn. I was lucky enough that one of the founders of AIM Intelligence replied to my message, checked out my profile, and gave me a chance to prove myself. Things worked out from there, I interned for a while and eventually transitioned into a full-time role.

If anything, I’d say having a polished LinkedIn profile and not being afraid to reach out directly can make a big difference, especially as a foreigner in Korea.

Q. Can you describe your typical workday?

My workday usually starts around 11 a.m., which is when most of the team arrives. Before heading to the office, I have a small routine: I grab a coffee, take a moment to look outside, and mentally plan what I want to accomplish for the day. As someone who appreciates structure, this helps me set my priorities and start the day with clarity.

Once I get to the office, I put on my headphones and dive into my work. We have meetings from time to time where we discuss project progress and how to approach different challenges. I really enjoy those brainstorming sessions because they broaden my perspective on AI Safety and help connect our research to real-world applications. Toward the end of the day, I like to review my progress and list down tasks for the next morning. It helps me stay organized and wrap up feeling productive.

Q. How does Korean work culture compare to your home country's?

In Ethiopia, work culture tends to be a bit more flexible and people generally communicate a bit more casually. In Korea, I’ve noticed there is more emphasis on structure, hierarchy, and being very considerate in how you communicate, especially in professional settings. Things move fast here, and there’s a strong sense of responsibility toward the team and the company.

At first, it took some adjustment, but over time, I came to appreciate the focus, organization, and teamwork mindset. It pushes you to stay sharp and deliver at a high standard. At the same time, I find that bringing a bit of open and direct communication from my background helps create a good balance.

Q. Do you speak Korean at work? How is communication handled in your team?

Our main working language is English, and most of my coworkers speak English really well, which makes collaboration smooth. My Korean is still beginner level, but I’m learning, and even a little Korean helps in day-to-day moments and team interactions.

Sometimes internal conversations or company-wide messages happen in Korean, so I have to rely on automated translators and ask questions when needed. Our team has a good culture of helping each other out, so communication hasn’t been as much of a barrier. As my Korean improves, I’m sure it’ll become even smoother.

Q. What challenges have you faced adapting to Korea's work environment?

The biggest challenge for me has been the language. Even though my colleagues speak English very well, I sometimes feel like I miss subtle context or important details when discussions happen in Korean. I also believe that communicating ideas in the local language can be more effective in a Korean company, so I’m actively working on improving my Korean to contribute more smoothly and confidently in team discussions.

Lifestyle & community

Q. What's your life outside of work like? How have you built your social life here?

Outside of work, I usually spend time with my partner or work on side projects. I’ve always enjoyed building things. So whenever I run into a problem, I naturally start thinking about how to create digital solutions that can help me and others. My hope is that, over time, some of these projects will grow into a self-sustaining business.

When it comes to social life, it was challenging at first. As a foreigner in Korea, building a network isn’t always easy, and that was definitely true when I first moved here six years ago. But over time, I met great people, formed meaningful friendships, and even met my partner here, something I’m very grateful for. Outside of tech, I enjoy working out, exploring new cafes, and occasionally playing guitar, which always helps me recharge after a long week.

Q. How much has knowing Korean (or learning it) helped in your daily life?

My Korean is still at a beginner level, but even that little bit has helped me a lot in day-to-day life. Just being able to understand small things, like signs, basic conversations, or what people around me are talking about, really makes a difference. Over time, I’ve also honed my nunchi (눈치) to get a feel for what’s going on and follow along, which I think is an important skill anywhere in Korea. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to say on this once my Korean improves over the next few months.

Q. What was your biggest culture shock when you first arrived?

I’m not sure if it counts as a major culture shock, but one of the first things that surprised me was how quiet public spaces are here. Subways, cafés, even the streets, they’re much quieter compared to cities I’d been to before, including Addis Ababa, where I grew up.

There were also smaller differences that stood out at first, like taking shoes off before entering homes and the lack of trash cans on the streets. They were surprising at the beginning, but I’m getting used to them over time.

Reflections & advice

Q. Do you plan to stay in Korea long-term, and how do you see your career evolving here?

For now, my plan is to continue working in Korea for the foreseeable future. I feel like I’ve found my niche at AIM Intelligence, and I’m learning and growing a lot here. Long-term, my goal is to build my own AI company and eventually combine that with a path in academia, contributing to research while also running a business. Korea has been a supportive place for my career so far, and I see a lot of potential to keep building here.

Q. What tips would you give to someone searching for a tech job in Korea?

My best advice for anyone searching for a tech job in Korea is to really sell yourself and actively reach out to companies and people you’re interested in. These days, it’s not enough to just submit an application and wait. Be courageous and message recruiters, founders, and like-minded people. Building those connections expands your reach and opens doors that traditional applications alone might not.

Q. What can Korean companies do to better support and integrate international employees?

I think Korean companies can make things easier for international employees by keeping communication more accessible. Even small things like providing opportunities for Korean lessons, sharing key docs and meeting notes in English, and pairing new hires with an English-speaking Korean employee really helps. Clear expectations around career growth also matter; I believe this gives you confidence about where you're headed.

And honestly, little bits of support with everyday things like visas or office processes make a huge difference when you're new. None of this has to be complicated, it's really just about making sure people feel included and able to do their best work. I appreciate what AIM Intelligence has done in this regard.

Q. What's one thing you wish you knew before moving here?

Learn Korean whenever you get the chance — it makes daily life so much more comfortable. I also think it’s important to prepare yourself for the work or academic culture here. Understanding what qualities Korean colleagues value and how communication works can really help you adjust faster. For anyone thinking of moving here, I’d recommend spending time researching these things beforehand.

Also, prepare yourself for the pali-pali (빨리 빨리) culture. Things move fast here, and getting things done quickly is often expected. It’s very important to remember that adapting early will make the transition much smoother and help you enjoy your life in Korea more fully.

Would you recommend Korea to other international tech professionals, and why?

I think the Korean tech ecosystem can be challenging to navigate for international professionals, especially at first. The language barrier, cultural differences, and certain workplace norms can make the adjustment period harder compared to more globally-oriented markets. That said, the government is making real efforts to support foreign talent, and things are steadily improving.

For people who are willing to put in the effort, learn the culture, build relationships, and bridge those gaps, Korea has a lot to offer. It’s a fast-moving tech environment, and I believe it will only become more accessible and attractive for international talent in the coming years.

Rapid fire

Favorite Korean food: Fried chicken
One must-visit place in Korea: Gangneung-si (강릉시)
Most surprising thing about Korean tech culture: How fast things move. Korean tech culture mirrors the rest of Korean society in how quickly people work and execute ideas.
Favorite Korean word or phrase: “김칫국 마시지 마,” which basically means “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” I find the expression amusing, but it also reminds me to stay grounded and not jump ahead of myself. It’s a good reminder to focus on the present and be prepared for unexpected outcomes.

Connect with Hiskias

LinkedIn: /in/hiskias-dingeto-5b05a2120

If you want to be next and contribute, send us an email at florian@dev-korea.com.

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