Korean Job Discussion Forums

stellarsky627 · Joined: 09 Feb 2010

Hey All,

I was thinking about taking a position with GEPIK teaching in Gyeonggi province.

I really want to make sure I'm able to get to a subway to get into SEOUL. It looks like Gyeonggi is really big. Does the Seoul subway cover most of Gyeonggi province or not really?

If I accept the GEPIK position, I'm not guaranteed any specific location, just somewhere in the province. I don't want to actually LIVE in seoul, but def. want to be close enough to go there whenever I want.

I'm just nervous that I'll be stuck without anyway of getting anywhere in some far away location. Is this possible in Gyeonggi Province? I know it's huge, but I just wonder if it's more common to be placed closer to Seoul or if I could get stuck without public transportation?

Kaypea · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

You'll probably be able to get into Seoul in an hour or less.

Right, guys?

T-Bone · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Location: Yongin

Where in Gyonggi will you be living?

I am in a similar situation. It is my first time to Korea, and I wanted to be placed in Seoul or in subway distance to Seoul. It turns out I will be in Gyonggi; but just slightly far away from the subway. I will be in Yongin, so I will have to take the bus to Bundang (right at the end of the line) to catch a subway into the Big City. I reckon it'll be an hour and 1/2 total travel time when I want to go to Seoul.

Is this less than ideal? I suppose. But I see the positive: I will not be able to spend a lot of money quickly and easily by being right in Seoul. Saving money is one of my goals.

I guess it's the luck of the draw when applying through GEPIK, but I imagine most places will either be on the subway or have a short bus ride to a subway stop. Gyonggi ain't THAT big. Doesn't hurt to apply, either way.

Best of luck! I hope you have a blast!

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

atwood · Joined: 26 Dec 2009

The buses are very good in Korea so you'll always be able to get to Seoul, but unless you're fairly close you're probably looking at two hours door-to-door.

There's only one express subway line so it's a slow ride. Don't let seemingly short distances fool you; it's difficult to get around quickly in Koera.

shostahoosier · Joined: 14 Apr 2009

Globutron · Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Location: England/Anyang

Plus depends where in Seoul you wanna go. It takes me like 2 hours to get from one end of Seoul to the other, let alone gyeonggi =\

BoholDiver · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Location: Canada

Bucheon is a good place in 경기, so is Anyang.

Both of those places are about 30 minutes away.

A bad place is Gwangju, Yongin, Dongducheon, Namyangju.

In my opinion.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Murakano · Joined: 10 Sep 2009

morrisonhotel · Joined: 18 Jul 2009 Location: Gyeonggi-do

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

stellarsky627 · Joined: 09 Feb 2010

Thanks for the info! I'm not sure what city I'd be in, but my friend and I might be placed in Gyeonggi Province... but that could be anywhere within the province.

If we were at two opposite ends of Gyeonggi Province, how far would be the farthest traveling distance away from each other? Any ideas?

People are always saying Gyeonggi Province is "really big", which I'm fully aware of. I just wonder how big in the sense of if we were placed as far as we could be away from each other... how far traveling distance wise would that actually be?

peppermint · Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 2:19 pm Post subject:

The whole country is about the size of a postage stamp but traffic can make getting around a bit of a pain. Even in the worst case scenario, you and your friend should be able to hang out every weekend. There are express buses that go all over the place, and they're often faster than the subway.

Burndog · Joined: 17 Feb 2008

Ummm...can't you and your friend ask your recruiter to look for schools 'near' each other? Within 30 minutes or so of each other? It would be easier than doing a pot luck thing where you tell the recruiter to look anywhere. If you're friend is at one end of Gyeonggi-do and you're at the other...it could take two to three hours to meet up in the centre of Seoul (door to door)...so four to six hours to visit each other!