Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Annesa]

Hey Guys, arrived in Uijeongbu about 3 weeks ago and I have yet to bump into a foreign teacher in the area!! Where the hell is everyone!! I am thinking that some form of social occasion involving alcohol might need to be arranged to get us all together!! I am talking to those of you who are here the longest and know exactly where the fun is!!

[asams]

[Meggiebea]

Hi There, I've been in Uijeongbu for two years now and am staying another year. I know the area pretty well and there are groups who meet for dinners and play poker and so on. If you're new to Uijeongbu or are looking to meet some new people then message me for more info. There are lots of us here, you just need to know where to look. When I first got to Uijeongbu Beer World was the place to be but not so much anymore. Try Amusing world or the bars across from the station.

[Meggiebea]

Just wanted to pass this link along for new people to Uijeongbu.

http://wanderlust.boringlikebehaviour.com/blog/?p=8

[Meggiebea]

There is an event this Saturday, March 21, in Uijongbu at Beer World at 9pm. Message me if you want more details.

[danwilson]

Hey,

I just moved to Uijeongbu this weekend, and from everything I've read it seems like it isnt the most exciting place. I would like to get an idea where all the foreigners are in the city. Is anyone still around?

Dan

[TruLee]

Hello - I didn't teach in Uijeongbu but lived there for 2.5 months. It is not the most exciting town but I enjoyed being there. I would have my weekly Whopper Jr fix and go to Home Plus (walking along the river) - practically lived there on some days - when I just wanted to shop in ONE place & not a bunch of stands, the train station shops for bored browsing, etc.

FYI - females - skip the restrooms in the Uijongbu train station if you can help it - it is the floor kind.

In the Huge covered market, I had a woman refuse to let me try on clothes and another be completely nice to me. Mostly I was ignored.

There was a nice bartender at one place but I don't remember what is called.

The area can be quite loud at times - with the megaphones during day & the drunken masses in the weehours - especially disconcerting when it is an American & I all of a sudden would understand what someone was saying so would have to pay attention. Didn't run across many people who spoke English. Did see a few GIs.

Ate at the Outback once but went to several Korean BBQ in the area - YUMMY!!!

Not sure I can be as helpful with the other things.

Will be living there again by the end of the year - 1/2 time since I will be teaching further south during the week and will stay by the job then.

Would be interested in meeting others - once I get somewhat settled.

sorry for the rambling - on a break at work & got distracted.

[AbraxasZ]

Hi everyone. I'm moving to this area next week and am getting a little bummed out reading these comments. I've heard some good things too though, so I'm hoping it's not all bad.

Does anyone have any updated info on the area? Someone in this thread said to PM them if working for an elementary school, saying it was important. I can't PM until I post 25 times.

Anyway, it would be nice to hear from other foreigners already in the area or moving there.

[TruLee]

When I wrote that post I had only been there in the summer/fall of 2007.

I have since been there & the train station was renovated, the central area has been updated & is more pedestrian friendly, it has a more welcoming vibe.

The noise at night turned out to summer time - rest of the year not loud at night.

Don't get bummed. Things are always different when you get some place so take everything said with a grain of salt.

Line 1 is great to get to Seoul.

As to PM (how about making 25 posts - just say hi & ask some odd question or something) ha ha ha - who knows, maybe it will work.

Good luck.

[snowysunshine]

Uijeongbu is not a bad area! There are a lot of young people, many foreigners, and there's lots to do. There is a central area, called Rodeo Drive, I think, with great shopping, and there's usually something fun going on in the plaza there. If you're on Facebook, there are Uijeongbu groups that you can join. They usually organize some get to-gethers, and although most of them are set up for places and events in Seoul, it might be a good way to meet some people from the same area.

[AbraxasZ]

Thanks guys, that's very encouraging news! I'll join those groups and keep my chin up.

I thought I had 25 post, but I haven't been on here in years. Must be a new-ish policy. Post post post.

[jesseinthebu]

I've lived in Uijeongbu for several months now and I'm not sure why anyone would write anything negative about it. Of course, it's not Seoul, but it's got everything you could ask for in a small city. And it's less than an hour on the subway to get to downtown Seoul.

If you're going to a hagwon, you should have no problems meeting people. I've met at least 30 foreign teachers living here. If you're at a public school, you might be the only foreigner there so then you really have to be proactive in order to make some friends. What school are you going to?

[AbraxasZ]

Thanks guys. I'm here now and people definitely overstated it when they said it was in the middle of nowhere. This is a pretty nice area and there seems to be lots to explore.

I am at a public school, but I'm told there's a good size foreigner community, so I'm sure I'll bump into some people. Would be nice to get to know some Koreans better this time around, too. I already have the impression that working at a public school will help my Korean a lot more than working at hagwons did.

See some of you around.

[Jprevite]

Hi,
I am having the same problem. I have been in Uijeongbu for about 5 weeks now and I have yet to run into any english teachers. I have been to Uijeongbu station a few times without any luck. Are there any teachers still in the area?