Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shawner88]

After having taught in Pusan, Ulsan and Seoul, and now teaching in a very small town near Suwon, I have to say that country towns are it. My school has about 100 students. Because the classes are smaller and they are country kids, the classes are much smoother and easier. In 6 months I've rarely had a single discipline problem that couldn't be solved with a raised voice. Also, I only have to teach 4-5 classes/day. What a refreshing change. Problem is I don't have much to do outside the office. Would you rather take an easier job and live in a small town, or work with crazy kids long hours in the heart of Seoul or another city?

(I should add that I also worked in the city Gohyun of Geoje-do my first few months in Korea, a small but somewhat populated, beautiful island, but my school there, Wonderland, was a total nightmare which ruined the experience...)

[Mr. Pink]

I doubt I will ever take a job "in the heard of Seoul" again. Though technically I wasn't in the middle, but east side of Seoul. The pollution, lack of trees and other nature was just too much for me.

On the same note I will never teach in a small hick town either. I would grow WAY too bored.

So that lives me with suburbs, and that is where I love to be I have been teaching in the suburbs of Seoul for the past 4+ yrs and I like it a lot. More nature to look at, a little less people than Seoul, but still has things like dept. stores, restaurants, good transportation etc.

[Mosley]

Yeah, I'm in a Korean Dogpatch, and it can be mind-numbingly boring much of the time. I wish I was one of those types obsessed w/writing a novel-a Korean small city would be a great place to do it. Moreover, being a private person and an unassuming one, I'm faced w/ being in the public eye every time I open my door. Positives? Well the old chestnut that it's easier to save money/erase debt by living in a small town is definitely valid, in my experience. When I do get out to Seoul or wherever, it seems like a real treat. For those motivated to learn Korean, a small town might be a better bet too.

[Arthur Fonzerelli]

city mouse here...

[crazylemongirl]

I like the suburbs. I'm in a nice area of incheon and I go into seoul in the weekends. I don't think I could deal with people in my face 24/7 which is what seoul seems like to me.


CLg

[wylde]

love the country... clean air, nice views, less mongchongies and the fact that ya feel like you are actually in a foreign country. i like the way it feels.. kinda like korea was before... I go to seoul and feel like i am in downtown sydney, all races all colours.. but in the small towns they don't have the same western influence.. i enjoy that.
sure, less to do but more exciting at the same time. i was in a small town in the same area as you but i didnt stay for long cuz the school sukt.. but in the time there i only saw 2 other foreigners.. they were sri lankan... i had great fun and would never work in the city again..

me's a country bumkin

[shawner88]

Where do you live now? Yes, I'm the only whitey in my town too, others are Russian and who knows where else. I once got scared when I told a bunch who asked me that I'm American. They acted pretty shady after that and I took off when they weren't looking.

[jpal75]

I will always like the bright lights and neon signs but eventhough teaching in a small town is like living in a fishbowl at the same time it's kinda quaint to be in a place...
"Where everybody knows your name,
And they're always glad you came;
You want to go where people know,
People are all the same;
You want to go where everybody knows your name"

Also, I save more money living in a small town it helps curb my addiction... to shoes!!