Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Paladin Brewer]

So I have a job with GEPIK, and I should be getting my location next week. I was wondering if a rural area (for GEPIK) would be all that bad? When I say bad, I don't so much mean the social aspect. I'm not interested in going to Korea to hang around with other foreigners. I don't care much about going out and drinking all the time. What I mean is, is it that bad in terms of living (apt., plumbing, etc), good internet, easy to get food, etc etc.

[andrewchon]

I am just south of Suwon. I live urban and teach rural.
It's an 8km march to school. All my basic needs are met where I live.
I have internet, sit-down toilet, supermarket is walking distance away.

For more sophisticated needs, I go to Suwon.

[tokkibunni8]

You'll be fine. I live in a town that has one bowling alley, one small movie theater, and one bar that can house more than 10 customers at a time and I'm enjoying it out here.

Food will not be a problem. Just about anywhere in my town, I will pass at least 5 restaurants in a 10 minute walk (probably be same for you). I can walk from one side of "downtown" to the otherside in 5 minutes so that gives you an idea of how big my town is. As for internet, Korea is wired...That's the least of anyone's worries. And as far as housing goes, in my experiences, housing in the rural areas seems to be a lot better than the cities. I live alone in a 3 bedroom apartment, while friends in the cities (suwon, seoul, pusan, bundang) live in one room studios or run down officetels.

If you're somewhat like me (not here to hang with other foreigners), then you'll be fine in the rural areas.

[Rteacher]

Most rural areas in Gyeonggi province are within an hour-and a half of Seoul by express bus for less than $5.00 - and the mass transit system in general is much better than in the U.S. - so even if you can't find everything you need where you live you can go into Seoul on the weekends for supplies.

[sojusucks]

It makes a big difference to be closer to a subway station. The rural areas seem to have a greater impact on the English levels of the students. Also, many Korean teachers may have to make long commutes and may not like that very much.

[Paladin Brewer]

Thanks. I don't know if I'm getting placed in a rural area or not. I don't even know if I am getting placed....I was told by the recruiter the position was secure but I'm hearing GEPIK got an overload of applicants :/ But alas, here's to hoping

[chachee99]

I couldn't do it. I am too adapted to the convenience of Seoul.

[shostahoosier]

I live in a VERY rural area. The largest building (and employer) in my town is the school. However, I commute to an even MORE rural place to teach at a very small school.

I travel 15 minutes to a nearby town to socialize with expats or go an hour to get to the nearest city (which only has 100,000 people and not much to do in terms of movies or shopping).

My commute to Seoul can range from 2 hours to 3 1/2 depending on conditions as I dont live near a subway line and must take a bus.

Its doable though and I'm actually quite happy. I love my school, co-workers and students. I also worked really hard when I arrived to find expat and Korean friends both locally and in Seoul so that I would always have social options and its worked out well.

Its annoying to have such a long hike to Seoul and I'm sure I miss out on things there during the week, but to be totally honest, I'm a club veteran and Seoul isnt that "wild" a place anyway (to me at least anyway) so I can deal with visiting on weekends to get my social needs fulfilled.

I would have preferred to have been placed in a more urban area closer to Seoul but this isnt bad at all either. I'm also saving a lot of money (more then $1k a month) and I'm still doing plenty of stuff when I get off of work with co-workers and random Koreans who want to see what its lik to hang out with a foreigner for the evening.

I was very scared of being in a rural area because I'm black and I had heard Koreans werent fond of foreigners of color. However that's hardly been the case as I've made a lot of friends in my village...or at least acquaintances.

It all really depends on what kind of person you are. If you can adapt to things, have no problem trying new things, and are really social then you'll be fine.

If you cant live a day without western food or freak out at the idea of being the only foreign person in your town...then it could be a little rough.

Also, it helps a lot if your school is friendly too. Because my school is so rural, they bend over backwards to give me what I want and are just happy that I come in every day and dont pull a runner.

The 5 vacation days are nice and will come in handy...but its not worth it if you are unable to handle being so far from an urban area.

Speaking of the extra 5 days (which may be eliminated for incoming people)...it depends on where your school is, not where you live. I have friends in Uijeongbu who commute to a rural school and they get the 5 days because the school is rural...but Uijeongbu is hardly what I would call a farm town.

[PeterDragon]

[motown]

Rural areas.....
If you get a spot that is similar to what the last couple of posts have stated then it sounds like a good situation.
Problem is if you end up in a bad rural situation then what do you do?
You could be out of luck. Anyone with a bad experience in rural Korea want to chime in? Just curious how they see things.

[eljuero]

Apologies if this is too off topic.

Curious when you found out you were hired by GEPIK? I'm assuming this is for a 3/1 start?
Does this mean GEPIK has made all final decisions for 3/1?
Thanks for any thoughts on this.
eljuero

[wylies99]

[wylies99]

[Triban]

Short answer...it blows.

[eljuero]