Korean Job Discussion Forums

Josephine0226 · Joined: 18 Oct 2008

Hi, I just excepted a teaching position in Suwon Korea. This is my first time going to korea but I have taught in several other countries. Does anyone know about Suwon? Has anyone taught and lived there? I am worried that it is going to be boring and inconvenient. Someone said that I should live and work in Seoul or I won't have a good experience in Korea. Suwon seems to be a fairly big city and it is not far from Seoul via subway. Does anyone have any information on Suwon? Thanks

jadarite · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 9:07 am Post subject:

I live in Pyeongtaek, further down the road from Seoul than Suwon. I also go to Suwon from time to time to meet with a friend. I think you will be ok in Suwon. You can travel to Seoul on the weekends. If you prefer a lifestyle of going out on weekday nights, then you might want to look for a job in Seoul instead, but you probably won't have time with a hagwon job. With a public school job, you will probably be too tired to want to do much.

It depends on what you want. I don't suggest going further south than Suwon unless you can handle countryside living.

yeremy

Believe it or not, there is life and other stuff to do outside of Seoul and Gyonggi Province, where Suwon is. Many foreign English teachers live outside of Seoul or Gyonggi Province, where Suwon is. If you want late night music, dancing, partying, culture, meeting people, hanging out etc, then Seoul is the center of the young partying universe in Korea. However, a lot of the foreign English teachers I know either end up buying a car or commuting to Seoul or to wherever the action is on the weekend by train or bus. One such summertime excursion that a lot of people go to is the Boryeong Mud Festival at Daecheon Beach.

Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju and Pusan are all sort of south ot Suwon, of which Pusan is probably the coolest city to live because of the beaches there. Daejeon has a million people and it's a lot more attractive (to me) than Pyoungtaek by a mile. Suwon is about 55 minutes from Seoul by the Seoul Metro Subway. Cheonan has a number of universities and has a population of about 300,000. I've heard good things about life in Cheonan.

I live in Gyungbuk and the cycling here, for example, is really good. The air and water are a lot better than in either Suwon or Seoul by far. So is the hiking. I can get to Seoul within three hours or so by train or in two and a half hours by car.

Seoul is not the only cool place to live, btw. Pusan is a competively desireable place to live for many foreign English teachers. The Pusan EPIK program seems to be one of the pickier EPIK organizations when it comes to selecting teachers. A lot of people, apparently, want to live in Pusan because of it has some of the best urban beaches in Korea.

I suggest that you come and during the course of your contract that you check out the places you hear about and make up your own mind. While some 70% of Koreans live in Seoul or Gyonggi Province, there is a lot to see, experience and do outside of the capital. Gyoungju is a wonderful example of a living historical city-museum. Don't take my word for it, though. Check it out for yourself. That's the best way.

I have lived in Gyonggi Province near Suwon and I've heard people say that it's okay. I also lived in Seoul for four and a half years, and my lungs do not miss the air pollution.

teachergirltoo · Joined: 28 Oct 2006

I live in Suwon near the old city. Excellent location. 30 minutes on the 7770 and in Sadang or 10 minutes the other direction to Suwon Station. There is a lot of hiking and canal biking/walking opportunities in Suwon. If a person enjoys the outdoors it can be a nice place to reside.

Silk · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

Starting my second year here in Suwon. Suwon has its own busy night spots. The real advantage Seoul has over Suwon is Seoul has many more expat friendly places to go, (friendly as it more English speaking women). You can get to Seoul from Suwon in 30 minutes flat on a train that leaves about every 30 min from Suwon station( don't make the mistake I made and take the subway to Seoul), the train costs an average of 5 bucks to take. The rub is that if you go to Seoul and hang out past 10 or 11, then there is no easy way back to Suwon other than by certain buses, which can be a pain in the ass, or staying the night in Seoul, which may or may not be a bigger pain in the ass.

Personally, I stay in Suwon. I got burned out quick traveling to Seoul on the weekends. On the average street, you can't really tell if you are in Suwon or Seoul, all busy streets look the same; same bars/coffee shops/movie theaters.

Another bonus to Suwon is everything is in taxi/bus distance, no taking a subway everywhere like in Seoul. The subway wears me out in Seoul.

jadarite · Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject:

I am the other way around. I get worn out taking the bus. Taxis aren't bad, but now it's a case of costs. I don't have any problem going to Seoul on the subway. Just carry a book along. Give yourself 1 hour, and that should be enough.

To save time when you are in a hurry, you can do a combo of express buses (not those local congested ones) and subway.

idreaminazure · Joined: 23 Oct 2008 Location: Suwon

so far, so good. My coteachers have been running me around to different places for dinner, shopping, etc. It's a little intimidating, but I'm starting to recognize my surroundings a bit. There seems to be plenty going on as far as nightlife--I had the most amazing dinner of my life last night, followed by soju and karaoke. Fun! I'm 3 days into my Korean adventure and I'd love to meet new folks--email me! Thanks.

tricey628 · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ

Hi,

I'm planning a move to Osan around the end of July with my fiance, and am interested in teaching near there. I've heard that Suwon is close enough to commute to. How did you go about finding teaching jobs in that area- are you teaching in hagwons, or public schools?

I would love to chat with someone in the area- my email is [email protected], if anyone wants to chat!

Patrice

DCJames · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

ChinaBoy · Joined: 17 Feb 2007

Princess Soraya · Joined: 30 Oct 2008

Well, I don't think anyone can compete with this: I was stuffed into a dorm room with an 18 year old student! The uni has no rooms for staff and they didn't give me key money.In addition, I had to PAY for my cosy accommodation. Beat that, lol

eoneinna · Joined: 05 Mar 2010

I'm contemplating a school in the southern part of Suwon. It is near the E-mart, Migliore department store and golf range. Anyone know what that part of Suwon is like? (School is next to river or some sort of canal)

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

I-am-me · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Location: Hermit Kingdom

Have lived in Suwon 6 yrs. I like it. Beats living the rush life in Seoul. It really depends on what you like to do. If you like clubbing, museums, concerts, then Seoul might be the place for you. If you are more laid back, the Suwon is perfect. If you are coming to korea to save money, Suwon, if its to spend money, Seoul.