|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
bejarano-korea
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
 Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 7:35 am Post subject: Changwon here I come - October the 5th |
 |
|
I have my contract and my school sorted out (ETBT in Changwon, anyone know it?) and I come over on October the 5th.
The contract looked fair. Or at least more fair than some of the ones I have read on here. If the school is any good is another matter and I will be the only native speaking teacher there. The director seems a nice lady over the phone so I'm going over with my fingers crossed.
Anyway, this is to say hello to anyone who is in Changwon. Whats the amieneties for shopping? food?
The city looks damn nice on the website, is it safe for my mum to be able to wander around on her own in the summer while I'm at work? She isn't white and I don't want arseholes insulting her.
Any good fitness gyms? Any good boxing gyms?
Does anyone go to watch Gyeongnam FC? Ho much does it cost to get in?
Thats it or now I think, thanks in advance and there is a cold one in it for ya!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
just because
Joined: 01 Aug 2003
Location: Changwon - 4964
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
There are a couple ETBTs in the city.....
However I think I know the exact one you are going to...
I am not sure how they can afford to hire a foreigner as it is very very small.....
Basically, it is running at a loss now so to be hiring a foreigner she will be banking on you to bring in students and will put you out there as a cash cow...to be honest that is never a good thing. where her school is located there are another 5 in the same building and all are losing money due to high rents.....
You are walking into a big risk. It might work out but don't be surprised 6 months in if she says she has no money to pay you...
Hate to be brutally honest and dash your hopes you have had as you have been posting on here for some time but it is the truth and you should know what you are walking into...
I am also pretty sure you are the first full-time foreigner she has had which will be an interesting situation for yourself as well....
Some food for thought...
As far as Changwon goes it is great, love it and have lived here for about 6 years...wouldn't live anywhere else in korea.
Your mum will be fine...maybe a few stares but there won't be any likely hostility.
Shopping is poor but busan is only 45 mins away(a bus every 12 mins). Food is fine and there are couple of big supermarkets in the city. however if you are looking for anything really exotic(esp good thai and indians food) then you will have to head to busan again....
GyeongnamFC stadium is very close to where you will live. entrance is about 8000 won and gyeongnam are sitting 3rd in the comp at about the 2/3 mark and are having a great season.
Good luck |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sojourner1
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hey, welcome to Changwon. If you like nature, there is one of the best places in Korea called, "Junam Reservoir." It's about 15 km north of Changwon which is magnificent rural big sky country.
As for the city, there are all the things one could need, but it may require a commute if not in the center such as Sangnamdong.
We have E-mart, Homeplus, and Lotte for big box stores, several western restaurants, and 2 foreigner bars that serve tasty food in the evenings.
It is said there are good gyms and other types of fitness venues as well downtown in the Sangnamdong area, but outside of that, it is a toss up. You might have to ride a bus 15 minutes to get there if not downtown or you might find something in your local neighborhood.
As common throughout Korea, we also have outdoor fitness areas randomly located on and near mountain side trails. These trails are very nice for hiking, walking, and running as they are well built out of modern Astroturf like materials, concrete, and cleared dirt paths with various facilities built into the natural wooded mountain sides. Lots of these trails are available free of charge all around Changwon-Si and many other Korean cities. Korea is very pleasant when the weather is pleasant such as right now in the Fall season, but the Summer is very rainy.
Often, you will find fresh cold spring water flowing out of mountains that have been spicketed off from pipes being installed into the the mountains water reserves. These places are very nice to rest and fill your bottles up. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bejarano-korea
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:45 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
There are a couple ETBTs in the city.....
However I think I know the exact one you are going to...
I am not sure how they can afford to hire a foreigner as it is very very small.....
Basically, it is running at a loss now so to be hiring a foreigner she will be banking on you to bring in students and will put you out there as a cash cow...to be honest that is never a good thing. where her school is located there are another 5 in the same building and all are losing money due to high rents.....
You are walking into a big risk. It might work out but don't be surprised 6 months in if she says she has no money to pay you...
Hate to be brutally honest and dash your hopes you have had as you have been posting on here for some time but it is the truth and you should know what you are walking into...
I am also pretty sure you are the first full-time foreigner she has had which will be an interesting situation for yourself as well....
Some food for thought... |
Cheers for the heads up JB, I'm going over with an open mind and a sense of adventure. It may go *beep* up as we say in England but if thats the worst case scenario, I'll move on. But thank you for putting me in the picture about what may happen as this is my first time in Korea and I have no clue what I'm walking into apart from reading the posters on here.
I have gone with kimnjoe recruiters so if there is a balls up during my year there then from previous reports they will help me out - I hope! 
| Quote: |
As far as Changwon goes it is great, love it and have lived here for about 6 years...wouldn't live anywhere else in korea.
Your mum will be fine...maybe a few stares but there won't be any likely hostility.
Shopping is poor but busan is only 45 mins away(a bus every 12 mins). Food is fine and there are couple of big supermarkets in the city. however if you are looking for anything really exotic(esp good thai and indians food) then you will have to head to busan again....
GyeongnamFC stadium is very close to where you will live. entrance is about 8000 won and gyeongnam are sitting 3rd in the comp at about the 2/3 mark and are having a great season.
Good luck |
It looks really nice, I'm not a huge night owl anyway so I'm not too bothered about the lack of nightlife compared to Busan. But decent eateries are a must but I think the first year will be a good time to try out the local cuisine, go and watch the footy on he weekends, I'll be happy I think. (fingers crossed)
Cheers JB and I hope to see you around!
Last edited by bejarano-korea on Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bejarano-korea
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
| sojourner1 wrote: |
Hey, welcome to Changwon. If you like nature, there is one of the best places in Korea called, "Junam Reservoir." It's about 15 km north of Changwon which is magnificent rural big sky country.
As for the city, there are all the things one could need, but it may require a commute if not in the center such as Sangnamdong.
We have E-mart, Homeplus, and Lotte for big box stores, several western restaurants, and 2 foreigner bars that serve tasty food in the evenings.
It is said there are good gyms and other types of fitness venues as well downtown in the Sangnamdong area, but outside of that, it is a toss up. You might have to ride a bus 15 minutes to get there if not downtown or you might find something in your local neighborhood.
As common throughout Korea, we also have outdoor fitness areas randomly located on and near mountain side trails. These trails are very nice for hiking, walking, and running as they are well built out of modern Astroturf like materials, concrete, and cleared dirt paths with various facilities built into the natural wooded mountain sides. Lots of these trails are available free of charge all around Changwon-Si and many other Korean cities. Korea is very pleasant when the weather is pleasant such as right now in the Fall season, but the Summer is very rainy.
Often, you will find fresh cold spring water flowing out of mountains that have been spicketed off from pipes being installed into the the mountains water reserves. These places are very nice to rest and fill your bottles up. |
Thank you for the welcome Sojurner, I'll be honest and say Changwon wasn't my first choice ( its like being back in the army chooisng a posting) but seeing as I know little about Daegu or Busan compared to Changwon
I thought why not have a go with Changwon.
I wouldn't mind a local but if the gyms are good in my local area then I will stick aroun there - if the transport system is as good as they say i is then it would be a good opportunity to look around the locale.
I look forward to exploring the local countryside, the city looks nice and modern and the countryside lovely. I'm impressed with the big lake in the middle of town. 
Anyway, I hope to see you round the vicinity next month! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Smee
Joined: 24 Dec 2004
Location: Jeollanam-do
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 9:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
| How do you expect things'll be around Chuseok? I'm debating what I want to do, and I thought it might be a good time to visit a few places in Gyeongsangnam-do, unless I decide to spend the week in Seoul. Have things basically closed down in the past? Do restaurants, stores, and convenience stores stay open? In Bundang everything but the KFC was closed, but in my village last year the population swelled as everybody came back to the countryside to visit family. Just curious . . . |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Big_Bird
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Location: Sometimes here sometimes there...
|
| Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007 9:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bejarano-korea wrote: |
| Quote: |
There are a couple ETBTs in the city.....
However I think I know the exact one you are going to...
I am not sure how they can afford to hire a foreigner as it is very very small.....
Basically, it is running at a loss now so to be hiring a foreigner she will be banking on you to bring in students and will put you out there as a cash cow...to be honest that is never a good thing. where her school is located there are another 5 in the same building and all are losing money due to high rents.....
You are walking into a big risk. It might work out but don't be surprised 6 months in if she says she has no money to pay you...
Hate to be brutally honest and dash your hopes you have had as you have been posting on here for some time but it is the truth and you should know what you are walking into...
I am also pretty sure you are the first full-time foreigner she has had which will be an interesting situation for yourself as well....
Some food for thought... |
Cheers for the heads up JB, I'm going over with an open mind and a sense of adventure. It may go *beep* up as we say in England but if thats the worst case scenario, I'll move on. But thank you for putting me in the picture about what may happen as this is my first time in Korea and I have no clue what I'm walking into apart from reading the posters on here.
|
That's a good attitude to have BK. Whatever happens, it will certainly be an interesting experience. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bejarano-korea
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| That's a good attitude to have BK. Whatever happens, it will certainly be an interesting experience. |
Thats the only way I can look at it. Taking a job in Korea from the UK is always going to be a risk and a total crapshoot.
I have tried to minimize the chances of landing in hagwon hell by going with kimnjoe but if one day the director says 'I've no money - bye' I'm going to chalk that up on the big experience board and find somewhere
else to work.
I'm hoping this won't happen, you never know though which makes life so exciting! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
butlerian
Joined: 04 Sep 2006
Location: Korea
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 5:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
| bejarano-korea wrote: |
| Quote: |
| That's a good attitude to have BK. Whatever happens, it will certainly be an interesting experience. |
Thats the only way I can look at it. Taking a job in Korea from the UK is always going to be a risk and a total crapshoot.
I have tried to minimize the chances of landing in hagwon hell by going with kimnjoe but if one day the director says 'I've no money - bye' I'm going to chalk that up on the big experience board and find somewhere
else to work.
I'm hoping this won't happen, you never know though which makes life so exciting! |
Exactly, just make sure you get your pay on time or at least nearly on-time. If not, you'll have gained some good experience and you'll be able to get a better job. Worth considering a public school job, though. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bejarano-korea
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Exactly, just make sure you get your pay on time or at least nearly on-time. If not, you'll have gained some good experience and you'll be able to get a better job. Worth considering a public school job, though. |
How I see this 1 year now Butlerian is a recce to see if I like the place and in the near future. (I'm going to Russia and Chile after Korea) come back and take a proper job (ie: public school) for more money. There is no guarantee that any school is going to be a good employer or not turn nasty on a whim.
Thankfully, I'm not going out wet behind the ears. No boss of any natonality is going to stress me out or bully me though I don't know if the same could be said of myself at 21, I'm quite an experienced guy and shyt does happen. I'm not going to bang my head against the wall if the school don't pay me on time or they go bust owing me a months pay. I'll use the resources that are at hand (the labour board) and if that draws a blank then I'll move on.
If I like Korea then I'll come back and get a decent public school gig, if I don't then it is something to tell the folks back home.
Whatever happens isn't the be all and end all, I hope it goes great but if not.. I'll move on to somewhere else, no one in the world can stop a ticking clock. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
JiH
Joined: 01 Sep 2007
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject: Impressed |
|
|
Just have to say that, that is probably the most realistically optimistic view for a new ESL teacher I've seen on Dave's in a loooong time.
I hope it works out well for you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
xCustomx
Joined: 06 Jan 2006
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I know a guy who worked at the ETBT in Sunae, Bundang and said that the pay was almost always late. Be prepared for the worst I guess. Good luck |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cbclark4
Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Location: Masan
|
| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:08 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hpoe for the best prepare for the worst.
You'll do fine I am sure.
Great attitude.
Be sure to let folks here know if things go south on you.
Kim'n'Joe do have a good reputation, keep them in the loop,
if things get sour ask them to place you in a public school.
Changwon is not as exciting as Seoul, however if you love great scenary Changwon is wonderful, you also have Masa and Jinhae in close proximity.
GeoJi Island is a little bit of a ride but definately a nice get away.
Best of luck. Report back to this thread once in a while. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bejarano-korea
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:43 pm Post subject: Re: Impressed |
|
|
| JiH wrote: |
Just have to say that, that is probably the most realistically optimistic view for a new ESL teacher I've seen on Dave's in a loooong time.
I hope it works out well for you. |
Cheers mate, much appreciated! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bejarano-korea
Joined: 13 Dec 2006
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| xCustomx wrote: |
| I know a guy who worked at the ETBT in Sunae, Bundang and said that the pay was almost always late. Be prepared for the worst I guess. Good luck |
I think like most language school franchises, there is good and bad, there is no guessing which one this will be but I hope it is the former! Still it could be worse and I could be working as a courier for DHL where I would be working as a glorified van driver with the IQ of an amoeba!  Thanks for the good wishes though! Much appreciated! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
