Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ArikaWithAnA]

Hello,

I have an opportunity to go and teach in Tongyeong in March, but I am having second thoughts. It looks like such a pretty area, but I am afraid I will be bored and feel somewhat isolated. This will be my first time traveling abroad and I am a bit worried I won't be able to meet and connnect with people; I am really social, I love meeting people and going out. As much as I enjoy the beach and coastal areas, I really like being able to go out and partake in a decent nightlife.

Should I just go, or wait for an opportunity in a bigger city? I am also afraid that if I pass this up, I won't get another chance to teach abroad.

[Oliver]

Looks like a cracking place and a great opportunity to live abroad and experience another culture. However, if you are having doubts about the location then you shouldn't have any problems finding a teaching job elsewhere in Korea.

Public school jobs may be a little more difficult to find but finding a hagwon job will be no problem.

[DosEquisXX]

Tongyeong City is a cool place. Beware though, it rains like crazy there!

I like it mainly because you can take ferries to islands off the coast of Korea. Some really cool islands out there.

[VanIslander]

tons on foreigners 20 minutes away across the bridge to Geoje; Changwon is an hour away; buses go everywhere fast and often and cheap; Busan on weekends is very easy if wanted and motels cheap; plus there's a cool dozen or so twentysomething foreigners in tongyeong who get together for house parties, some visible in the bar district, usually friday nights

[ArikaWithAnA]

I like the rain and I'm glad to hear that there are people who get together.

[SanchoPanza]

I read this rule about Korea. I think it applies 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!

[redaxe]

Wait for an opportunity in a bigger city. Seoul or Busan. If you consider yourself a "people person" then other places in Korea will bore you to tears. If you don't mind living like a hermit, then sure, go to Tongyeong or wherever.