Korean Job Discussion Forums

fbermingham · Joined: 03 Feb 2010

I've been in talks with the head office of a large group of schools. Initially, I thought they were going to offer me a post in Daegu, which I was very happy about as I had read a lot of good things about it and knew a couple of people there. Now though, they have asked me to consider Changwon. I know very little about it. It seems quite small with not a lot to distinguish it, but I may be wrong.

Can anyone help me with some info on this city?

singerdude · Joined: 18 Jul 2009

I've lived there for almost a year, and can say although it is on the small side(about 600,000 pop), there is enough to do there so it's not too boring. There is one area called sangnamdong that has lots of bars, singing rooms, restaurants, and "other stuff." There is one rather cool mall called City 7, and there are 4 movie theaters in the city.

On the western side, a Burger King and Cold Stone Creamery just opened, a McDonalds, Dominos, Pizza Hut, and KFC, plus there is an Outback and Bennigans. If you like Indian food, there is very good Indian restaurant called Bombay, which I really miss. There are a few Western Bars too, the most popular being O'Briens(which is in the same building as Bombay), and IP (International Pub), which is near a popular night club called New Castle.

Any other questions just ask.

fbermingham · Joined: 03 Feb 2010

Thank you very much for that... did you move there alone? If so, was it difficult to meet foreigners? I also understand it is quite close to Busan, how easy is it to commute to Busan, Seoul, Daegu etc?

Senior · Joined: 31 Jan 2010

You could do a lot worse than Changwon, if you are just starting out. If the search function worked, then you could search for previous threads about Changwon. Unfortunately it doesn't, so that very useful info is likely lost to the sands of time.

wormholes101 · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

Try using this search engine:

http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=017533085494576982167%3Aviirjoto5h0

PinkEmJ · Joined: 02 Mar 2010

Last time I was in Korea I lived in Masan, and we used to go to Changwon all the time! (About an hour on the bus, 20 mins by cab)

It's a 'newer' city, and well planned. (Masan is old and kinda dirty, used to be huge in the textiles industry) -- The Chang is rockin' with loads of foreigners, and you're close to Busan, which is amazing. Gorgeous beach!! You'll meet friends from Masan as well I'm sure, the two cities are decently close Smile

It's about 6 hours to Seoul, but there's a comfy overnight bus that'll get you there in style. It was 60000 last time I took it.

Jazz is also a popular bar, at least with Masanites.

Consider it, really. It's beautiful!

PS SingerDude -- Bombay = LOVE!!!

Also, if you're *really* homesick there's a T.G.I.F (which apparently is a big American chain) and in Masan there's an authentic Mexican restaurant downtown, simply named "Mexico".

Patrick Murtha · Joined: 23 Mar 2010

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

There is a huge bookshop in Changwon within 5 mins walking reach of where you'll live, called Kyobo. Also you can swap books in a foreigner frequented bar called O'Brians.

Most of the foreigners have been quarantined to live in downtown. So you'll never be lonely.

Changwon is streets ahead of most Korean cities. Unfortunately, that is still not saying anything.

Don't ship the books. Rather travel light. The job may not pan out and you'll be too busy reading new stuff.

PinkEmJ · Joined: 02 Mar 2010

Kyobo is LOVE. Seriously - I'm moving closer to Seoul this time, and will be taking a bus down South JUST to visit that bookshop. They have stuff I can't find in Canada!!! Shifty's right about shipping the books - wait and see. That's a lot of money for not a lot of time. What about investing in a Kindle?

Patrick Murtha · Joined: 23 Mar 2010

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

The teaching is quite different from what you might be expecting.

If you can get an opportunity, sit in on another foreigner's class. In other words apply yr energies to the teaching than worry overmuch about location and the whereabouts of yr favorite books.

I say this b/c there is something undignified when a mature person appears hapless in the face of new demands.

Let's assume it takes you 3 years to get the uni job. That's a lot of water that first must pass under the bridge of hakwons.

I'm assuming hakwon from what you said in first post. Sounds like GnB.

Patrick Murtha · Joined: 23 Mar 2010

shifty · Joined: 21 Jun 2004

I must say it feels good to be called a "young snot" again.