Korean Job Discussion Forums

[luck57]

is anyone living/teaching in Changwon? how do you like it? easy to get to busan? what do you like to do there? any information is greatly appreciated. thank you in advance.

steve & sarah headed to changwon

[kiwiluvesyew]

Kristina and Zach here - we'll be in Changwon at the start of Aug. PM and let s know what your plans are!

[hinesketchup]

I'll be there at the end of July, look me up on facebook! (There is a changwon expats group.)

[sojourner1]

I lived there all of last year and there's about 400 foreigners in Changwon according to Austin who runs the O'briens pub. There are 2 foreigner bars, TGIF, Outback steakhouse, Bennigans, several McDonalds, KFC, large department stores such as Lotte, Emart, and Homeplus as well as numerous pizza places. Really, this city of 500,000 people has mostly everything you'll need, unless you want oatmeal for breakfast. I still made my trips to Seoul though it took 10 to 12 hours RT on bus and was exhausting.

Getting to Busan is quick and easy from the bus terminal near the Kims club which is next to the Homeplus (best shopping in Changwon). You'll end up at Sasang subway station, get on a train, and you're downtown Busan in no time. It's cool, but doesn't offer anything up like Seoul does with Itaewon shopping, Insadong, and the great palaces. Seoul is very special compared to the rest of Korea as it's not only the capital, but also where culture and the arts flourish. Really, you can get everything in Changwon that can be found in Busan, but not Seoul as Seoul is the place to shop and have fun.

When I stayed in Changwon all weekend, I climbed the mountains surrounding the city by myself which all have well developed foot paths, great views, and the natural antidepressant effects of getting exercise. Some weekends, you will find yourself partying in Sangnamdong (bright neon strobe lighted commercial district) with other expats and Koreans in noraebongs, restaurants, and the bars which will leave you with a hangover you wished you never met up with. You will find Changwon is generally quite wealthy compared to the rest of Korea due to it's manufacturing industries promoting a robust local economy as well as pollution that lingers low in the valley where you will be working, playing, and sleeping. It's still much better than nearby Mason.

They have a really cool convention center that has interesting exhibitions on weekends such as displaying real androids and robots, industrial technology, yachts, international business concepts, and other things. You just have to catch a bicycle race on the weekend at the velodrome which is for Korean gambling by betting on races. No cameras allowed despite there being no signs.

And a word of advice, don't teach at this hagwon in Bong gok-dong that looks like a pretty smurf house, but I'll be honest, it's not the worse hagwon; just a huge anxiety inducing headache when it comes to money business and you will get ripped off some monies owed but not all if you stand up firmly on your feet to the end of the contract. Enjoy your stay in Changwon.