Korean Job Discussion Forums

Shaunad · Joined: 25 Jun 2009

I would like to know the part of South Korea to go to have the most fun! I do want to teach and teach well, however I don't want to get to Korea and be depressed because I cant ever go out.

I would like a place with a few foreigners like myself who enjoy a drink, dont get me wrong I'm not going to drink every night but I wont be going to Korea to save money I want to get the most out of my experience by meeting Koreans and foreigners from all over the world. Plus I'm Irish wouldn't be in my nature to be quiet.

So this is my first time going to teach in a foreign country so any help you can give will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Smile

VanIslander

bobbyhanlon · Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Location: 서울

seoul- itaewon or hongdae. definitely not cultural hotspots, but full of drunk people and clubs.
anyway the most important thing in your case is: make sure you're in seoul. and if you're not in seoul, make sure you're in busan. otherwise forget it..

PigeonFart · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

Agreed. Seoul (any district within 10km from Hongdae) is your best option.

Shaunad · Joined: 25 Jun 2009

Im 24 so I think Seoul or Busan would be the best place for me -- now to convince the recruiter of that!! They seem to send you any place other then the places you want to go!

Cheers! Smile

Sure you can always travel outside of Seoul for cultural breaks!

bobbyhanlon · Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Location: 서울

i can't stress this enough- if a recruiter wants to send you somewhere you aren't interested in, just say no. it is easy to get a job teaching english in korea so just hold out for a place you'd actually enjoy.
also try to find a school directly over the internet- no recruiter- it is in their interest to just get you over there so they can collect their fee as quickly as possible, so they will tell you anything to make you say 'yes'.
make sure you're in seoul. busan is ok too (especially seomyeon or haeundae districts, fair amount of action there). anywhere else, just say no.

bobbyhanlon · Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Location: 서울

oh and if you want to enjoy life: no kindergarten, and only afternoon classes.
i think the best job for you would be in seoul, with afternoon classes. seriously, you'll easily get a job, so don't feel pressured into taking anything else. if you have to wait another couple of weeks to get it, just wait.. in the long run you'll be glad you're not teaching screaming toddlers at 9am somewhere in the boonies.

Shaunad · Joined: 25 Jun 2009

Aww thanks bobby, i'll just sit it out and be demanding hopfully it works out well for me! Ive an interview for Gwangmyeong - and the recruiter insisted it was very close to Seoul. Doing a bit of my own research its at least an hour away Seoul, so this mixed with your advice I think i'll wait it out for a position closer to my desired locations! Smile

thanks again

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

IN Seoul or IN Pusan. 'Close to' won't cut it. In fact, if they say that a job IS in Seoul or in Pusan, as for the specific neighborhood and subway stop. No subway? Could mean trouble.

Also, use every recruiter in the book, but remember that they're not working for you, they're working for the school paying the bills.

DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP · Joined: 28 May 2009 Location: Electron cloud

ernie · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Location: asdfghjk

i've never been to hannam city or ilsan, but note that 'a 45 minute bus ride to seoul' probably means that in the best possible traffic conditions, you can get to the edge of seoul in 45 minutes. rush 'hour' in seoul is nuts. on weekdays, it's total gridlock from about 5:00 pm to 10:30. saturdays and sundays during the day can be a nightmare.

i'd say add at least 15 minutes for traffic and another 30 to 45 minutes to get from where the bus drops you off to where you actually want to be. if you want to be in seoul, then accept a job IN seoul.

beercanman · Joined: 16 May 2009

Bus ride is 40 minutes from Ilsan to Yonsei university --did it many times.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Walk from my house to HongDae area is 18 seconds.

Walk from my house to Yonsei University area is about 15 minutes.

You decide. Do you want to commute to work or commute to socialize? Shoot for jobs IN Seoul.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

ekul · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Location: [Mod Edit]

Personally I'd rather commute to socialise than commute to work and back every day. I know people who live in Bundang that commute to the satellites and it's an hour each way just because it's rush hour. Yet when I come from my city to Bundang it's 20 mins by taxi or 30 by bus. It is a mission to get to Hongdae but generally we only do that once every other week, that place can get old fast.