Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Baron]

Anyone know anywhere about this area?

I have an interview for a school there tomorrow. Im kind of adamant about wanting to go real soon and was willing to accept almost anywhere but this place seems to be really out in the sticks.

Im 23, just out of college and looking for a bit of craic as well as helping the Korean children to learn English of course so is this place a non-starter?

[Mosley]

Just about anywhere in that province is out in the sticks.

You'll probably be sorry if you take it.

What the hell is "craic"?

[Baron]

Craic, crack cocaine silly!

Nah, it's just an Irish term for fun, messing, merriment, etc.

[Trinidad]

I could tell you the horrors of living in rural Korea, but I think this
guy, Cohiba, summed it up eloquently and logically here:


Remember "Cohiba's Rule" (Now better than ever!):

Think twice before you live outside of Seoul. "In Seoul" and
"outside of Seoul" are like two different countries. Seoul
is an interesting place with variety and venues for most
tastes. Outside of Seoul you will find a homogeneous Korean
culture. I don't mean this in a bad way, but you will never
find things like: French, Greek, Indian or any other ethnic
foods. Markets that sell sherry, pate, pastrami, ricotta cheese.
Specialty shops that sell Cuban cigars, European pies, cold
cuts or rye breads. Just to name a few things. Also clubs such
as photography, drama, public speaking, sailing are 99% in
the capital city. If you want to experiment with a very Korean
culture, which unfortunately means "closed", then choose the
countryside. If you want to make money and have the lifestyle
choices similar to a western country, then there is no other
choice than Seoul.

The FFF RULE: FFF=Fun For Foreigners.

If FFF in Seoul = 100, then FFF decreases at
1/distance. So 2km from Seoul FFF=1/2(100)=50;
10km from Seoul FFF=1/10(100)=10. This rule is
a rule for nightlife, food and foreign products only.
Nature etc. is on a different scale altogether.

This means you will be wasting a lot of time commuting
to Seoul. This is especially a drag if you have been
boozing on a Friday night and there are no buses or
trains.

I, unfortunately, live near Seoul where the FFF factor
is almost in the negative range. I know!

[Hyosung650]

OP the other posters are right to a point, Nonsan is a small town and if you're new to Korea and don't speak any Korean there won't be that much for you to do in the town itself. I lived there for two years but I had already been in Korea a while then so I knew what I was heading into, if you are a first timer you need to weigh up what is important to you.

For amenities it's getting better there is a fair sized homeplus and a brand spanking new sports complex with pool gyms etc

For transport it's good. Nonsan is on the KTX (fast train) line which really cuts the time down when you want to go to Seoul (just over an hour I think). Daejeon is only 30 mins away and when you come out at seodaejeon station you've got costco right next door which means you'll be able to buy just the same western foods as anyone living in the middle of Seoul.

For nightlife you are pretty stumped in Nonsan. Try the bars round the university during the week (at the weekends the students will all head off home) and look up watermelon sugar to see if that's still going. Otherwise Daejeon is where you'll be headed. There's a sizeable expat scene there and a few good areas for going out. Please don't listen to people who say Korea starts and ends with Seoul they really don't have a clue. Sure Daejeon isn't Seoul and doesn't have quite the variety and ritziness Seoul has but it's like saying Liverpool is no London - you can still have a damn good night out in Liverpool.

Any way good luck with wherever you choose but don't let those who want their time in Korea to be like living in a mini America scare you off from trying different parts of Korea.

[Hank the Iconoclast]

[detourne_me]

Hank and Hyosung are right. Nonsan isn't that bad.
I lived in Gyeryong for 2 years, and it's smaller than Nonsan, but closer to Daejeon.
There are plenty of foreigners, and honestly given the year it's a pretty good, tight-knit community.

[thurst]

i was pretty much in the same boat as the OP, i've never been to nonsan but it's pretty close to gongju and similar in size i believe. if you're proactive about meeting people in your area (facebook is your friend) you'll be fine.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

I wanted rural and am in that province. I like it. Bear in mind I have plenty of friends I can visit or who can visit me anytime in Seoul and Gyeonggi and have lived in Seoul for 5 years so don't feel any isolation or lonliness or whatever as I've been there and done it.

If you don't SPECIFICALLY want a rural life for a year - do not come to this province.

[Hank the Iconoclast]

[Harpeau]

Stop at the doorway. The craic ain't good, lass! I lived in Nonsan for 5 months. Thank God for the IMF crises!! I was out of there as fast as I could. It's a piss factory. Farmville. Don't go there girl. You will regret it!!!!!!!!!

[Sadebugo1]

[Hank the Iconoclast]

[thurst]

assuming nonsan is like gongju, try to find out exactly where you'll be living bcuz you could end up in the "urban" part of nonsan and it'll be fine...or you could end up in some remote ass -eup nextdoor to your school and hate it.

[Hank the Iconoclast]