Korean Job Discussion Forums

kangasuz · Joined: 11 Nov 2009

Hi, all. I have an opportunity to apply for a college teaching position, which sounds great in theory, but the major drawback is that it's in the countryside -- 50 min. by bus to one of Korea's larger cities (not Seoul or Busan) and a COUNTY population of approx. 65,000.

This will be my first time teaching in Korea and originally, I wanted to be in a city where there would be contact with other foreign teachers... however, do I take the uni job because of the benefits over a hagwon, or do I go with a hagwon located in Seoul or surrounding area?

I'm not someone who needs the big-city nightlife, and I'm OK being "on my own", but there's still a part of me that wants the ability to enjoy some Western amnenities.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

PigeonFart · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

I think you should go with your gut feeling.... i.e. go to the city.

Given that you could only talk to about 1% of the population (i presume you're not a korean speaker), a small town of 65,000 people would actually feel more like a remote village in the Australian outback with a population of about 7 people.

Not to mention how backward these country folk would be! They'll not have passports, they'll have never been outside their own backgarden, and they'll point at you like you're an animal in a zoo. I couldn't stand that lifestyle, and you might very quickly realise you made a big mistake in choosing the countryside....especially since you've never been to Korea before (you don't really know what life is like here).

I say, err on the side of caution and choose the big city....lots of non koreans and more western comforts.

This is just my opinion. I'm sure many would disagree. Only you know what's best. Good luck either way.

hoopslam · Joined: 19 Oct 2009

A lot of what you experience in Korea really depends on your attitude and respect for people. If you make a strong effort to try and assimilate to your surroundings, I find that Koreans really welcome and appreciate that sort of behavior (especially in the "shi gohl" or rural areas). I dunno what part of Korea pigeonfart's referring to but I've been to some pretty rural parts of Korea and my experiences have been very positive and hardly
backwards (minus the squat position poopers if ya know what I mean).

You'll be near a University so at the very least you'll have a pretty decent pool of somewhat proficient English speaking students. Korea's a small country, you can get to Seoul or any major city within 1-2 hours from any point in the country. Access to a major city is almost a non issue.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

One factor to consider is the vacation: I bet you've got a lot more of it at the university. On the other hand, living in Seoul when you're new is like a vacation whenever you're not working because everything is new and close by.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 3:44 pm Post subject:

As a newbie, focus on your teaching. The experience at a college will set you up well for more urban university settings your second year.

Use your weekends to travel to Seoul and Busan, with cheap, fast and comfty express buses getting you there before noon Saturday and motels in this country are cheap, so you could spend one night every week in a motel and still not spend more than $100 u.s. a month on it!

Plus your vacation time ought to be considerable, as another poster noted.

If you are thinking of teaching in Korea for a few years then take the rural college for a year; if you plan on being in Korea for only a year then go Seoul or Busan and enjoy the bar life on weekday nights.

Captain Obvious · Joined: 23 Oct 2009

xingyiman · Joined: 12 Jan 2006

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

PigeonFart · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

[quote="hoopslam"]I dunno what part of Korea pigeonfart's referring to but I've been to some pretty rural parts of Korea and my experiences have been very positive and hardly
backwards[/quote]

A fair point. It has to be said, my opinion was merely my point of view. People really do see the same things in different ways. My friend has lots of patience and loves rural folk. I'm the opposite and have a very negative attitude to even the slightest non-cosmopolitan behavior. So it really does depend on what type of person you are. The original poster should do some introspection and think what really is important to him/her. Good luck either way.

kangasuz · Joined: 11 Nov 2009

Thanks for all your advice. I have "gone with my gut" and decided to steer closer to the cities for my first year teaching in Korea. Wish me luck in securing a position, however, as I think my recruiter is officially peeved!