Korean Job Discussion Forums

Novalis · Joined: 19 Sep 2003

I have two questions:

1) What's the year-round weather in South Korea like? If you need me to give you a particular city, then let's say Pusan, since I think I'll be talking to a teacher from a school there very soon about a job opening. You're talking to a Midwesterner (U.S.) here, so keep that in mind. There's a definite perspective to hot and cold depending on where you're from. I'm teaching EFL in Mexico now, enjoying springlike weather everyday and loving it, but the salary leaves more to be desired, so I've been planning on getting a job set up for early December in Korea over the internet and going back home to the States within a week or two to pick up my winter coat, buy some EFL books, and run a bunch of errands. I'm planning on staying in Korea for at least a year. What clothes should I pack?

2) I just e-mailed a teacher, who teaches at a hagwon yesterday. She had posted a job ad for her school. She e-mailed me back today, asking for my phone number, so we could do a phone interview. What do you think she will ask me, and what should I ask her? Thanks as always.

Howard Roark · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Canada

Ask any Korean and they will proudly tell you that Korea does in fact experience 4 distinct seasons. Amazing, isn't it! (sarcasm)
Pusan is on the south coast. It's very hot in the summer, maybe 30C or more. There are a few nice beaches and often a cool breeze from the sea. I find the weather changes really quickly here. It's hot for months and then one day you wake up and it's freezing. Spring and fall are the best seasons here. T-shirt weather you know, but often windy. This year the fall wind is very cold. I don't live in Pusan, but in the middle of the country it's probably about 15C at the warmest point of the day and about 10C at night and early morning.
Winter is minor compared to where I come from. It gets damn cold though and snows every now and then. But the snow doesn't build up, it usually melts away before more comes.
If you want to pack for a year, you need clothes for all seasons. Bring your bikini but don't forget your scarf and mittens either!
Depending on the time of year, I ususally bring a lot of what I need for the current season. I like to shop, so I go and buy more stuff as I need it.

Novalis · Joined: 19 Sep 2003

dlaksjfl;a

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Yes,

Korea has FOUR seasons.

Lonely Planet

Howard Roark · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Canada

Novalis · Joined: 19 Sep 2003

Thanks Howard. The phone interview went well this morning. Her phone card cut us off, and she's going to call me back tonight (Mexican time) when I get home from work. The job lead looks promising, and it would start December 1st, so that would give me time to go home and pick up my winter coat and run some errands. Apparently, this teacher who I talked to has been quite lucky. She said she gets along really well with her boss and that he takes her hiking and out to dinner. I asked her to give me the e-mail address of the teacher who's leaving, and she said she would e-mail it to me. We'll see.