Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Halcyom Chimera]

Hello all! I have sent off all paperwork except the passport scan for working in Ilsan for 2.9KRW/month. I am really excited about moving there in early January, but I know the culture shock will be immense. I live in a small town in Alabama. To give you an idea how small, I graduated in a class of 40 students. With zero minorities in the school!

I've searched the boards for information concerning Ilsan, but an insane amount of threads pop up that may just mention Ilsan in passing instead of dedicating an entire thread to it. So, to save that time (I have a huge paper due Thursday!) can someone give me some information on living and teaching specifically in Ilsan? This will be my first teaching gig. Again, excited but... maybe apprehensive? I am no stranger to change and diversity; I served in the National Guard from 2002-2008. Also, I've been in college steadily since 2004. But, this experience will be something entirely new.

Any positive, helpful information will be greatly appreciate! Thanks in advance!

[manofwar]

Hi you picked a great location. If your school is good than your life will be great. Ilsan is subs of Seoul, but still around 900,000 people. Loads of western stores and restaurant. Bars, gyms, and fast food places. Good luck.

[hoopslam]

I have relatives in Ilsan that I visit quite often. Ilsan is a GREAT location, you really lucked out. As mentioned, it's like living in the suburbs of Seoul. Don't let that fool you into thinking it's small town USA though, it's still HUGE. Lots of people but they are all more middle/upper class family oriented people. The subway line goes right through so you're within 20 minutes of downtown Seoul. Ilsan itself is a pretty newly developed area so it's still clean, well planned, and generally lovely to live in.

I'd be more concerned about what hagwon hired you than the city location. Some are good but some are not so good. PM me if you want more info about Ilsan. I'm going up there in a few weeks to visit my aunt so I'll probably take some pictures.

[skim234]

Welcome to Ilsan!

I moved here a month ago and like it quite a lot. The foreigners here are very close-knit and hang around La Festa mainly.

My only problem with Ilsan is that the subway is VERY slow on the 3 line in Ilsan. When I go to Seoul, I always take the bus from Madu Station to Dangsan or Seoul Station. This will save you about 20-30 mins.

[ThingsComeAround]

not to knock hoopslam

line 3 stinks. It takes about 40-50 (sometimes over 1 hour) on the rail to get to anywhere decent in Seoul. By that, I mean Susaek is "part of Seoul", but NO ONE GOES THERE.

Small town 'bama? I think you'd feel more at home in Paju, to the north. More farms, close knit community, etc. Ilsan has a Costco, Lake Park, WesternDom, and LaFesta. Other than that....

[fortysixyou]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=170616&highlight=

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=165027&highlight=

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=152796&highlight=

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=147654&highlight=

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=131592&highlight=

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=128534&highlight=

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=126089&highlight=

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=117711&highlight=

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=116387&highlight=

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=114544&highlight=

[kabrams]

[ThingsComeAround]

[madtownhustl]

LIVE. KNOW. ILSAN... Future

[kabrams]

[Murakano]

Ilsan is a really good place to live.....got most things you need. Plus there's Lake Park which is an excellent place to go for a walk. I don't think I've seen many better parks in Seoul. You have E-mart, IMAX and La Festa which is a nice place for shopping at.

Ilsan is a big place though. The closer you are to the subway stations the better as it's easy to get to . If you're a bit further out (like Goyang) you will have to bus it in to get to La Festa etc but it doesn't take long.

921 bus gets you to Hongdae (40 mins from near Madu Station)
9700/9711 - to Gangnam (9700 is slightly faster)
9707/9713/9714 - Sinchon(Yonsei)
9701 - City Hall/Gwangwhamun

The express buses run quite late from Yonsei (till 2am so you can hang out fairly late in Sinchon/Hongdae before hopping on a bus back home)

[aussieb]

I visited Lake Park in January once ... I was almost as frozen as the lake.

[whiteshoes]

m7106 goes from madu to gwanghwamun with no stops. If you're in Seoul and need to come home at night, go to Seoul Station and take it back to madu. Again, zero stops. Depending on the traffic it's taken me as little as 25-30 minutes and as much as 50 to make the trip. Also, the bus has wifi.

I'm from a small town too, 855 at the last census. You'll adjust quickly. Just find a regular place to go. If you go to the same kimbop place two or three times a week the workers will get you your regular without having to say a word. Just like home. If you have any questions, you can PM me.

[madtownhustl]

Whiteshoes, Is the M Bus the one that starts at Daehwa? How much is that bus?

[ThingsComeAround]

The "M" Bus (Sexy Bus) is same as other express buses, 1700 won

And it starts at Daehwa.