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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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 Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:26 am Post subject: My school is in the boonies.... |
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I was told my school would be in Pocheon City....and I was willing to accept that after some thought....however...I recently found out that my school is near the Jung-ri reservoir WAAAY north of Pocheon and directly east of Yeoncheon.
Does anyone have any experience with this area? Is it going to be impossible to get anywhere?
Are foreigners absolutely crapped on in areas this rural?
I've been told that my school has less than 40 students total. |
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uk27
Joined: 19 May 2009
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:07 am Post subject: Re: My school is in the boonies.... |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
I was told my school would be in Pocheon City....and I was willing to accept that after some thought....however...I recently found out that my school is near the Jung-ri reservoir WAAAY north of Pocheon and directly east of Yeoncheon.
Does anyone have any experience with this area? Is it going to be impossible to get anywhere?
Are foreigners absolutely crapped on in areas this rural?
I've been told that my school has less than 40 students total. |
On the bright side, it sounds like you've landed yourself a cushy job. I'd take this into consideration while you're weighing up your options. |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:20 am Post subject: |
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| What do you mean? |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:24 am Post subject: |
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He highlighted "40 students" in bold. You will probably have a lot of time off. 40 students is less than 2 classes 
If you have to teach 22 classes, then you would have to teach them 11 times, but there are only 5 school days. Think about it.
Last edited by lifeinkorea on Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:27 am; edited 1 time in total |
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asmith
Joined: 18 Jun 2009
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:25 am Post subject: Re: My school is in the boonies.... |
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| shostahoosier wrote: |
I was told my school would be in Pocheon City....and I was willing to accept that after some thought....however...I recently found out that my school is near the Jung-ri reservoir WAAAY north of Pocheon and directly east of Yeoncheon.
Does anyone have any experience with this area? Is it going to be impossible to get anywhere?
Are foreigners absolutely crapped on in areas this rural?
I've been told that my school has less than 40 students total. |
I live in the boonies. It ain't that bad. |
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uk27
Joined: 19 May 2009
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 8:33 am Post subject: |
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| lifeinkorea wrote: |
He highlighted "40 students" in bold. You will probably have a lot of time off. 40 students is less than 2 classes
If you have to teach 22 classes, then you would have to teach them 11 times, but there are only 5 school days. Think about it. |
Also, there's every chance that you won't have to be the world's best teacher the minute you step off the plane at one of these places. You'll be treated as more of an oddity/celeb is what I hear, at least for the first few months anyway.
But don't listen to me. Google 'Rural Korea teaching' and read articles that people have written who have actually done this.
I'm off to Gwangju, but if I stay in Korea more than a year or two I'd be definitely interested in sampling the rural life at some point. |
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Rory_Calhoun27
Joined: 14 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 10:45 am Post subject: |
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One of the problems with a small school, or at least in mine, a SHRINKING school, is that you can end up with potentiall MORE classes to make up the difference... with more books, lesson plans, copies, videos, etc....
my elementary SHRANK by 2/3, as readers of my complaints know. 
anyway, with 40 kids, I can't imagine things getting too bogged down- maybe this is really just the sequel to "My Teacher Mr Kim." Hope they cast the female lead good for ya.  |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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I have searched EVERY major website and cant find any information on whether or not busses serve my area.
Is it possible to live in an area not served by public transportation?
I doubt the school will give me a car. |
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andrewchon
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Location: Back in Oz. Living in ISIS Aust.
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 12:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Trust me, there are buses. I am in the similar circumstances. Although next year, the number of English lesson hours for grades 3 and 4 will increase 100% and 50% for the grades 5 & 6, the school will 'make up' classes studying other than the text book for this year. What exactly, will depend on your co-teacher. If you want better transportation, then get yourself a scooter or something. If you have driver's licence (your country) and an international driver's licence then you can ride a scooter (of engines smaller than 125cc) without Korean licence. This only applies to non-Koreans. Rural area is great because you don't have to worry about the crime, students and parents are less judgmental. |
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shostahoosier
Joined: 14 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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Whats a good place to look for a bike/scooter before I arrive?
And where should I research pricing?
I am both excited and terrified. I'm coming from a major city in the US (Chicago) so I'm not quite used to the slow life.
I guess I'll have a year to practice my Korean and train for the Seoul marathon...among other things.
The extra 5 days of vacation will be nice.
I've checked out my school's website. For the less than 40 students there are about 15 teachers...so this school is tiny! |
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andrewchon
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Location: Back in Oz. Living in ISIS Aust.
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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research the official motorcycle/scooter thread in the general discussion forum. Decent used 50cc are around 300,000 to 500,000 won. 100cc are around 750,000 won. Pocheun should have a motorcycle shop/mechanic.
Small school means you get to know each student personally, it's a good thing. |
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KYC
Joined: 11 May 2006
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, last year I worked in an elementary school also north of Pocheon. It was very rural and the school had a total of 65 students. I DID teach the full 22 hours because the pawned me off to a nearby elementary school.
There are very few buses in the area. BUT I think your coteachers or coworkers will help you out in regards to transportation. You will be well taken care of.
Having said all that, I hated my first year. I hated my main school. The environment was anything but welcoming. I loved, loved the 2nd school they pawned me off to. It's just a different environment. And for a first year teacher, I don't think it's good to start off with a very small school. I just think you need more experience.
With smaller class sizes, activities and games go by very quickly...meaning you have to make lots of actitivies and games just for one class. Right now my elementary school has over 1,000 students. I can play ONE activity for a class and it'll probably last 20-25 minutes. With a small class, it would last 5 mins max. |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Try to get your house in the nearest big town or city and have a teacher drive you to school each day. Don't let them put you in a very smal rural town to live. |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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| D.D. wrote: |
| Try to get your house in the nearest big town or city and have a teacher drive you to school each day. Don't let them put you in a very smal rural town to live. |
I agree and don't with this point. You will be given a ride, and I have had to accept taking the bus myself for the past year. It was told to me I could live within walking distance from the school, but then they changed it at the last minute.
The difference is that I can take the bus and have my own personal life aside from the school. When you are always coming and going with someone from the school, you need to get along more with the school. They are not always eager to get along with you and may resent having to drive you around.
I would suggest doing this on rainy days and special events, but for the core of your transportation look for an independent way and if you can try to get them to reimburse you. |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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| Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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| lifeinkorea wrote: |
| D.D. wrote: |
| Try to get your house in the nearest big town or city and have a teacher drive you to school each day. Don't let them put you in a very smal rural town to live. |
I agree and don't with this point. You will be given a ride, and I have had to accept taking the bus myself for the past year. It was told to me I could live within walking distance from the school, but then they changed it at the last minute.
The difference is that I can take the bus and have my own personal life aside from the school. When you are always coming and going with someone from the school, you need to get along more with the school. They are not always eager to get along with you and may resent having to drive you around.
I would suggest doing this on rainy days and special events, but for the core of your transportation look for an independent way and if you can try to get them to reimburse you. |
My main point was not about the commute but was to avoid living in the really small town. |
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