Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojourner1]

I am seriously considering going to Gangwondo to teach in a public school after teaching a year in a hagwon on the southern coast. Why? I like nature, trout fishing, mountain trail climbing, and simpleness.

My only concern is if transportation to get to the several schools I might be assigned to is a rational fear. Do they generally consider and accommodate your transportation needs or overlook this fact of life? I know I can get an international driving permit and then buy a motorbike, but buying the bike and learning my way around will take time; something I can't do on day one. I understand that banking is simple if I already have a Korean bank account since I can simply submit banking info to them and then withdraw won at any ATM and any special needs can be taken care of during times I am not required to teach. I definitely will ask recruiters about all these sorts of things as I apply, but I am asking those of you who are experienced in teaching in a public school in Gangwondo provice. Thanks in advance.

What it's like being the only foreigner in a community in rural Gangwondo? Any info pertaining to anything is greatly appreciated.

[KYC]

Your coteacher will help you with the banking since they have to open an account in order to pay you.

I dont work in the gangwon but I've been there. I saw quite a lot of foreigners actually.

[refikaM]

Hi. This is my second year teaching in Gangwondo. Luckily, I have been teaching at one school since I began, but I know several public school teachers in my area that teach at up to SIX different schools. They are compensated for their travel expenses... 20,000 a trip up to the maximum allowed per month (200,000). They use the bus system or taxis depending on how far their commute is. Most commuting teachers don't teach at more than 2-3 different schools, however. Or, you may be lucky enough to be assigned to one school only... but you won't have that info until after you have been hired, unfortunately.. Good luck!

[milkweedma]

Im in a more remote part of Gangwando and the travel allowance IS NOT capped at 200,000 per month. Most months I get between 250,000 and 300,000 or 20,000 a day per school i travel to that isnt my home school. Maybe they capped it in Sokcho??

[schwa]

Travel to schools shouldnt be a big worry. If buses arent convenient & its too far for taxis then schools will take responsibility to get you there (car-pooling, sending a driver, etc).

Even the remotest parts of Gangwondo are learning to deal with native teachers' transportation needs & I dont know anyone with serious grievances (they have my phone number). Things get worked out.

Some teachers here have acquired their own vehicles. That makes some schools happy but is not required. Motorbikes of course have seasonal limitations but no reason you couldnt pick one up right away -- one colleague arranged through his co-teacher to get one his first day here. Roads are great & traffic is seldom heavy.

Re: banking. Some more remote postings might require a trip of an hour or so to make an international transfer (which no school would deny permission to do) but everyday banking is not a problem anywhere here.

Gangwondo is not a total backwater. Most of the expat public school teachers up here live in or near sizable small cities with a decent amount of amenities & other foreigners to interact with if they wish. The Gangwon EPIK contract is quite generous in compensating for "hardships" most of us never feel.

Nature is always close at hand, but dont expect huge trout leaping onto your line -- overfishing is a problem. Nevertheless, all in all, this is a pretty special corner of the country.

PM me if you have other specific questions about teaching here.

[viper1b]

Hello all, my girlfriend and I are moving to one of these 2 cities at the end of November. spelling??? What kind of info can anybody give us on them? Are sporting activities popular there with other foreigners??? I played baseball in Masan in a Korean men's league, do they have anything like that up there to play in? What is shopping like around there? Home plus? Lotte Mart? etc.... Any information is greatly appreciated.

[lowpo]

[pest2]

I work in Yangyang/Sokcho area, too, and I agree with what everyone is saying. Only add to it this:

Make sure you 1) See pictures and have details about your living accomodations before you agree to take the job (ie, the apartment should be within reasonable walking or bussing distance to an area with a supermarket, shops, etc. Also, make sure it has hot water, washer, heat, etc etc.) 2) Inquire about how, specifically, you will get to and from work. Who will give you a ride if need be? I work at one school, for example, where there are no buses to and from, its 20km from home, and the other teachers all live in the opposite direction! So the only way I could keep my job here was to buy a car.

However, they've been advised of this problem and I've been told that in the future, they will make driving qualifications part of the jobs that include this problem (which is really not most; mine is probably a bit extreme in this sense) and ask about it during the hiring process.


The only other thing is that, in my experience, unless you live in a town bigger than 100,000 people, you really will be happier if you get a car and drive, anyway..

Yeah, Gangwon do really is beautiful and fun. I have had a great time working here this year... Its like the ONLY place in Korea I would actually consider staying on another year...(but for other reasons, Im leaving).