Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rpayvin]

Hullo all,

I am going to South Korea for the first time, with the EPIK program, and I am going to a school in Jeongseon. Anyone have any experiences about this part of the country? Any pictures, or anecdotes that they would mind sharing with me? Thanks! I've looked all over wikipedia and the usual google drill, and was hoping for some first hand accounts.

[Jane]

http://eng.jeongseon.go.kr/

This site has a video.

Not sure how many first-hand accounts you'll get posted here, as there might be very few people who have live there.

[rpayvin]

Thanks for the reply, although I couldn't get the video to work!

Thanks to robot teacher for some info too, I can't private message yet since i am still new to the forum, so I'll be in touch with you as soon as I get some more posts up and am allowed to pm.

[Jane]

OP, please check ur message box.

[Cohiba]

Wow, looks like you are pretty near the Sea of Japan. You better be
ready for a REALLY rural time.

Good luck.

[skookum]

I haven't lived there but I stayed overnight there once or twice. What I remember: nice five-day market; railbike track just northeast of there. Small place, in a high valley - likely pretty snowy in the winter. It's on a dead-end train line - well, only dead end in one direction fortunately! - but there won't be lots of trains running by. You'd hafta transfer to get to the east coast, so though it looks close its still a long trip. I don't thing you can expect to find many English-speakers there. This will be real cultural immersion. The countryside around is real nice - lots of places to hike, little villages and hamlet, Old Korea as much as old korea exists nowadays. Hopefully you like Korean food...

You may love it or you may hate it. It's not a place for everyone. Hopefully, if you go there it'll be the place for you...

-- Skooooooo

[rpayvin]

Hi all,

So it turns out I'm posted to Sabuk, within Jeongseon County. Anybody been?

Thanks!

[Chamchiman]

sojourner1 was there for a while. How about posting some more and PMing him?

*Edit: I gather he isn't with us any longer. Or is he...?

[billietea]

EPIK can place you anywhere they want within the Province. For three weeks they told me I was going to one place, so I packed "beach-wear"...24 hours before my flight to Korea they told me I was, instead, going to the Mountains. You won't really know where you will be placed until you get there. Don't stress, this is the first test of your flexibility AND it is essential for dealing with the system. This is not a good/bad judgement...just the reality.

* I live not too far away and have visited and it is VERY rural. You will have a real immersion with Korean food, culture and language. If you are at an elementary school they may or may not know English beyond, "Hello". I say this only so that you can start working on your Korean language reading/speaking. Reading so that you can order food at the restaurant or a bus schedule. You will find folks who live a bus trip away on Facebook so that you can maintain your English skills. It is an experience and will be exactly what you make it...

[rpayvin]

Well thanks a lot, all of you who have taken the time to post here. I certainly am preparing myself for a total immersion, and no doubt I will be back here seeking more advice. Sounds like it's lucky for me i'm flexible and relaxed!

Billietea, that's sweet that you've been there, at least now I know it truly exists! Also, very good advice about the learning menus thing - going to be key.

[rpayvin]

Hey Billietea I can't PM yet because of the ol' # of posts, maybe I'll have enough soon...

[Xuanzang]

[Sidneylarissa]

Hi there
I am currently teaching about 6 km away from Jeongsan near Najeon. I am here on contract for 5 months. I often go to Jeongsan to the traditional market and look around there. As mentioned it is quite rural and traditional but at the same time this is a very beautiful part of Korea with lots of places round the area for hiking and siteseeing. You can also find Gangneung about an hour away from Jeongsan and there are beaches there.

All in all, I am loving being in the countryside and far from the madding crowd. If you have the right attitude this part of the world can be a rich and rewarding experience.

Enjoy.

[milkweedma]

I lived and worked in Sabuk which is a terribly isolating place to exist as is Jeongsan. Its exremely cold in the winter but if you love skiing, Gohan has High1 ski resort 4 kms from Sabuk. Good luck in that region. I'll never return after being sacked for attempting to do my job effectively at a certain unamed Elementary school full of back stabbing Korean ar$holes.

[billietea]