Korean Job Discussion Forums

Yangkho · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Location: Honam

I simply must get out to a small town and work. All the best times I've had here in Korea have been in small towns.

Anyway, if anyone knows of anything, kindly let me know. It's impossible to talk to recruiters about it, so I figured I'd post here.

whatthefunk · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Location: Dont have a clue

Have you considered Pohang?

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I live in Changwon and while not exactly a small town it is very nice and Busan is just up the road. City and country all in one Very Happy

Yangkho · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Location: Honam

Well, I've lived in Changwon...not small enough. I know several people who've lived and Pohang, and while it's a place that I think I would like, I'm looking for something smaller, like coastal. Call me crazy.

buddy bradley · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: The Beyond

So how do you eliminate the monotony and life-crushing boredom, the suicidal tendencies and associated alcoholism that goes hand-in-hand with living in a small town?

Yangkho · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Location: Honam

buddy bradley · Joined: 24 Aug 2003 Location: The Beyond

So feeling suicidal is better than drinking?

Yangkho · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Location: Honam

The suicidal tendencies can be controlled when sober, right? And some of us are used both those types of feelings and the loneliness...well, and then there's wine.

VanIslander

If you want friendly island living in one of the richest rural areas of the country, you're in luck. There are a couple of teachers finishing up their contracts soon and both enjoyed their money-saving time in this more laid-back area of Korea.

The main industry is the non-air-polluting shipbuilding of Samsung and Daewoo. Some say the locals are extra friendly towards foreigners because the ships are built for foreigners, mostly Europeans, with hundreds of them active at the local foreigner's club.

Where is this place? The positions are on beautiful Geoje Island, in the small city of Goyeon (150,000 people maybe), about ten minutes from great beaches and a 45-minute ferry to Busan (for those occasional getaways). Some people call this island the undervalued jewel of Korea that's as good as overhyped Jeju in terms of beaches and sightseeing. The Lonely Planet tourist book states that Geoje Island has perhaps the most scenic coastal road in all of asia. I have lived here for a year and it still takes my breathe away, especially when you're guided down dirt roads accessible only through small bay towns (you should get many offers for the grand insider's tour). There's lots to explore anyways.

As for where you'd work, it's a Jungchul school, so you don't have to design lesson plans (unless you want to complement the curriculum with ten or fifteen minute extra lessons, as some do).

I don't know the school personally, nor the details of the contracts, but I know the director a bit, having gone to dinner and drinks with the guy, and my impression was: a nicer guy you'll never meet. A teacher who worked for him told me the exact same thing.

It's a perfect opportunity for someone, maybe you? I don't know the phone number offhand but if someone's interested I'm sure you can just find out, there's only one Jungchul school in Goyeon.

Yangkho · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Location: Honam

Why do I shudder a little bit when you mention Jung-chul? Probably 'cause I knew some people who had less than a nice time at the one in Changwon. (But nothing for the nightmare Hakwon record books.)

Thanks so much for the tip, though.

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 5:57 pm Post subject:

Huh?

Jung-chul is not a cult, it's a chain of franchises joined by a common set of books. That's it. If someone had a problem at one Jungchul school, that doesn't reflect anything about another jungchul school - unless the teacher didn't like the books.

If you don't check it out it's your loss.

The only other tip I can offer is I heard bad things about a job opening in Tongyoung. If anyone is considering a Tongyoung position, PM me the academy you're considering and I'll share with you what I've heard if it's relevant.

Good luck whatever.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

You forgot "humble" & "popular" in your self-description.

inspector gadget · Joined: 11 Apr 2003 Location: jeollanam-do in the boonies

I live in Jinhae a town of about 160 000 people located on the southern coast only a half an hour bus ride to Pusan and a 15 minute bus ride to Changwon. Its certainly got a small town mentality however I have found in my 5 months here its a great place to live. Some of the reasons that I chose to come here were, coastline (access to boats and islands), ability to save money (approx. double that of my original goal), close to Chang/Pusan for those monthly or bi-monthly party sessions. There are about 20 - 25 english teachers here about half work for hagwons and the others work for either the ROK or US navy bases which are located here. If you would like any further information PM me.

princess · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: soul of Asia

I don't se how anyone can handle small towns. I almost went nuts in Incheon and Ansan. Remember, I was TOO FASHIONABLE for these places... and too thin too, I guess. When Korean women are jealous of you it does not help your job situation. Hey, don't hate me because I wear size 1 and 2...^^