Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ck10n3]

Hey everyone! I am a Half-Korean American trying to get a job post-graduation. I have been approached by several companies and was wondering if anyone could help me out with choosing a location that might be suitable for me. Thanks!

A little about myself: I enjoy the outdoors. I would like to find a place where people are friendly to foreigners. I am interested in a place that will show me some of the history of Korea. I love the outdoors so I would like to be close to some non-city area. I grew up in the suburbs, and have never lived in a city (I would like to live in a mildly sized city).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
Ck

[Adventurer]

[tzechuk]

When you say *company* do you mean a hagwon?

If so, then you'll probably like Daejeon...

If you mean a business company, then I think your choices are rather limited to Seoul..

[afsjesse]

Well without knowing if nightlife is important to you, I'll recommned the following places.

1. Gangneung, about 300K people and located on the East Sea, is a lovely city. It has a good reputation among the foreigners there and has a nice night-scene in my opinion. The beach is very nice and the downtown is fun to hang around in. The city is historically important as a famous woman and her poet son are from there, their names escape me atm. It's 3 hours from Seoul and has direct buses to most other major cities. It's in Gangwondo which is the most rural province in S. Korea and with Odaesan and Seoraksan in your backyard, you can enjoy all the hiking your poor feet can endure! I've done both and found Odaesan too be the most breathtaking of the parks. Awesome peaks and lovely river ravines.

2. Jinju: While I have never been to Jinju, I've heard it is a very nice town and it is located reasonably close to Gwangju. It's 400k people give or take and the charm about this place is its proximity to Jirisan National Park. Another awesome park to hike in and to take in all the majesty the mountains of Gyeongnam have to offer in this traditionally flat, rice producing part of Korea. You're also within easy reach of Yeosu and 3 to 4 hours from Busan to get a good city fix.

3. Daejeon: A metropolitan city 1 hour from Seoul via the KTX. It is surrounded by some nice mountains and is a fairly "small" metro city, just over 1 million people. It's close to Seoul if you need the city life. From what readers posted on Dave's it sounds like a quiet, dull town that isn't very rowdy, which may be what you want?!

4. Changwon or Masan - Both are small towns with nothing really special about them. Except they are spitting distance from Busan, Korea's 2nd largest city. I'd imagine there is some good hiking near there as well.

5. Gyeongju: Probably the most historic of Korea's cities IMO. Very close to Daegu and Busan. This city offers a plethora of hiking, sight seeing, bike riding and historical attractions that it would make you're head spin. Albeit it's no Kyoto, but it comes reasonably (sort of) close. It easily covers the historical part of your list as it was the ancient capital of the Shilla dynasty and you have the royal tombs right downtown!

Those are the places I'd look at if I were you. My favorite is Gangneung, then Gyeongju.

Good Luck
Jesse.

[skookum]

Go to Tong-ni in Taebaek-shi. It's right on the train line. It's all downhill from there when you leave, whichever way you go.

In retrospect, this comment is not particularly helpful.....

========

I do agree about Gangneung and Gyeongju. How 'bout Chuncheon? - that may be shaping up to be our next destination. About 250,000 people, and hills all around.

We lived in Jeomchon (Mungyeong-shi) for a while - pretty centrally located in the middle of nowhere. There's a provincial park and parts of two national parks within the city limits. We liked it there, though we'd prefer a place a bit bigger next time....

[Forward Observer]

I keep hearing that Pyongyang is pretty cheap and clean

[billietea]

[Ck10n3]

Wow 6 replies! Thank you all! That is extremely helpful. Come to think of it a beach does sound extremely nice. Night life is not very important to me if I can establish some good friendships. I am trying to quit drinking I hope that is possible in Korea, I know it limits social networking greatly.

I like your description of Gangneung! I am looking more into these places. Thanks again everyone.

[phoneboothface]

What about Ilsan or Bundang? The 'suburbs' of Seoul?

Cleaner air (it seems....) and less crowded than Seoul. Better laid out. In between the city and the country...

[waynehead]

Gangneung? Jinju? Heh, good luck with that.

Seoul, or close to it, is where you want to be.

[Oreovictim]

[margaret]

I also recommend Chuncheon. In fact, I'm planning to get back there myself. Please read the pm I sent you.