Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Cedar]

Hey guys, I got some nice tips from a couple of you, but I could really use more advice for my captive audience of a room full of EPIK new teachers tomorrow morning.

I am supposed to teach EXPLORING KOREA.

Cool stuff? useful websites? must see locations? how to get around? Your best tips, being taken only until I fall asleep tonight...

Yes, I've got a lot, but I'm no newbie and I'm fluent in Korean, so I could be overlooking something...

these teachers will be outside Seoul, so I'm really looking for non-Seoul/smaller city/town info if possible!

[sojusucks]

You should already know about the tourism websites. Since they are living outside of Seoul why not talk about things to do in Seoul? It's a place they will want to visit and should see before they leave.

[PatrickGHBusan]

Off the top of my head: The national parks, Jeju do, Busan, Gyungju, DMZ, some of the beaches, regional foods (the dishes you can find in certain areas that are worth it; ex: seafood in Busan), some sites like Suwon fortress, bulgoksa temple near gyungju.


The trains and buses (avg prices).


Good luck.

[Koreastyle]

[PatrickGHBusan]

[Koreastyle]

[Cedar]

Koreastyle, I also was an EPIK teacher (for two years, 97-98, 98-99) which was not when I first taught in Korea-- so I am well aware that my audience will have some range in it. However, as you should know, most EPIK teachers are in fact newbies. With 15 years experience with Korea, working on my 12th year living in the country, and active engagement throughout that time period, I assure you I know how to enjoy & explore Korea. Hopefully I can present this in a way that will be interesting enough that people won't want to walk out. But, seriously, I was looking for advice from this board to make sure i didn't forget something we'd all want to know, not bitter quips.

Patrick, thanks for your advice.

[Summer Wine]

Dont make any assumptions that it will be similar to your own country.

You carry your own luggage on the train. There isn't a separate baggage car for it. Large luggage is usually stored by the doors in an alcove set up for it.

If you dont understand something then clarify it, or keep on struggling until you understand. Sometimes, it could be just that you are standing in front of the wrong ticket box, not that they don't sell tickets there.

Dont buy food on the trains if you dont have too, it can be quite pricy. During weekends, make sure you get to the bus or train terminal with plenty of time. It can get quite busy and the old people pushing in front of you can even make it more difficult to get a seat.

Be polite but dont be a push over. Though let some issues slide, that old woman who pushes in front of you to get on the bus isn't worth stressing over.

Dont be scared to try something new. Some teachers live off pizza for the first few months just because they dont want to try something new. It can be hit or miss though, but every now and then you will find some food is great even though you didn't know what it was when you ordered it.

Be patient with the teachers who have been here for a while or came a year before you. They may want to offer advice that you might think is useless at the time, but will help you later.

Pushing them away with a "I dont need your help I can do it all on my own" doesn't endear you to them. 6 months later when you need assistance from them, dont be surprised if they arent really interested in helping you.

If you are not sure of something ask.

Oh, I know you are new here and you might normally speak in a loud voice, but dont assume everyone else wants to know your issues or that the koreans you are bitching about dont speak english.

Thats all at the moment.

[guava]

If you're a six footer, KTX isn't the way to go, unless you go first class. Regular seating won't accommodate you.

The Saemaul train is nice, and the express bus with three across seating is nice too.

[sublunari]

Take the time and effort to learn Korean. Just in the classroom alone it makes an enormous difference and it really impresses a lot of people, particularly your students, if you show that you've bothered to work through one of the most difficult languages for English speakers to learn. It's definitely hard, but the amount you can speak is essentially equal to the amount of time and energy you put into learning--so, obviously, if you really dedicate yourself, you really can learn.

There are all kinds of other benefits that go beyond just being able to control your classroom easier; at the very least you can become one of the few non-Korean people who knows how to speak the Korean language, it supposedly makes learning Chinese and Japanese a little easier (I can't personally confirm this), and although the monetary benefits aren't immediately evident, it really does open up your mind and allow you to see the world in a totally different way. Once the North falls (any day now...) the language will become a lot more important.

I'm writing this because I wish someone had told me the same thing when I first arrived; it took me about a year to figure it out for myself.

[nchannah]

Tell them to run screaming in the opposite direction of Korea.

[sojusucks]

[Cedar]

[nstick13]

Re: Buses - might want to advise them to buy tickets to return from Seoul in advance on the weekend, as expecting to show up and just get a ticket may result in excessive waiting. I buy my ticket home from Seoul when I get in to Seoul.

[ThingsComeAround]

OP-

what do you like?
What gets you through the day when you've had a rough week? How do you unwind/relax? Share that with them, I'm sure they'd appreciate it