[User Stories] Former soccer player planning to become an entrepreneur

SentBe met its user, Khan Awais, in Seoul, November 2020 and listened to his life in Korea and what he has been planning and pursuing for the future. Here's a very inspiring story about him.

SentBe: How long have you been living in Korea? What made you come to Korea?

Khan: Before coming to Korea, I graduated a management school in Pakistan. I was also soccer player of my university's team. After the study, I played soccer as a professional player in a local team. Meanwhile, I was able to closely see how my cousin prepared to go to work in Korea by obtaining a type of working visa. I also got interested in making more money in Korea and started the preparation for going to Korea for work. I finally got the visa and came to Korea in 2018.

SentBe: How has your life been in Korea so far?

Khan: Since 2018, I have been working at the same workplace mainly making reinforcing rod. I had to learn skills from the ground up and now become a skilled-manpower. Apart from the work, soccer is still a big part of my life in Korea. When I was in Pakistan, soccer was not a popular sport game. However, I really love Korea is a country where many people like soccer. With migrant worker colleagues, we made an amateur soccer team and I sometimes lead training session for them with my previous experience as a pro-soccer player. I also met my girlfriend in Korea. I liked playing an online game named Battle Ground and we met each other on this game platform. She is also from Pakistan and immigrated into Korea with her family. We will be having wedding ceremony soon in Pakistan too.

SentBe: How has your remittance been used so far?

Khan: Among all my family members - parents, 3 younger brothers, and 1 younger sister, I am the only one who earns income. Of my income earned in Korea, 50% is sent to my family in Pakistan, 25% is spent as living expenses in Korea for me and 25% is saved in my Korean bank account to utilize it as seed money for my future business in Pakistan. My family spends most of my remittance for daily living and education for mu siblings. Two brothers are studying at university. One of them is preparing for entering into a professional soccer team like me. The other has prepared to obtain a working visa to come to Korea but all process stopped due to Covid.

SentBe: What is your future plan?

Khan: I would like to run my own business when I return to Pakistan. I haven't specified a business item but with my brother who graduated MBA in Pakistan and know well bout local markets and demands, I will be making mid- and long-term plan.

SentBe found Khan's face is filled with bright smile all the time when he told us about what he has been achieving and dreaming while living and working in Korea. SentBe is greatly proud of his life journey and will be always supporting his goal to be achieved. SentBe is thrilled to look forward to what to come in his near future!