Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DanielGabriel]

1st post so be gentle

First off, a bit about me: I'm a single 23 year old male from Glasgow, Scotland (UK). I've recently finished my 4 year MA in Politics and completed a weekend TEFL course which was a good introduction into teaching methods.

I'm in the process of applying to the GEPIK program through Korvia and wondering whereabouts people would recommend living in Gyeonggi-do?

I like going out for a night-out now and again but I don't like spending day after day 'on the sauce' so to speak so Ideally I wan't to live somewhere with a decent sized foreign community which is lively enough to spend the odd night out midweek. Come the weekend I'll be heading into Seoul so preferably I wan't to be within an hour's commute of Seoul.

I've read many posts saying Bundang is good and I've heard some good things about Bucheon. Basically what I'm asking is, if you were me, where would you head?

Thanks in advance!

[Junior]

[ThingsComeAround]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cities_and_Counties_of_Gyeonggi-do

Anyang, Bucheon, Gimpo, Goyang, Guri, Gwacheon, Gwangmyeong, Hanam, Namyangju, Seongnam, Siheung, Uijeongbu, Yangju are all great options

If you will notice, I listed the counties that border Seoul.

Don't worry about your accent. If they hired you, you will be fine. If the ask you to "Americanize" your accent, try your best but its not the end of the world.

[whitestboyalive]

[appletarty]

Hey there - don't worry mate, I'm Irish and they have give me a job. Everyone knows the Celts are super charming

I just accepted a middle school job in Gwangmyeong - i chose it because it really is the closest you can get to Seoul without actually being in Seoul!

I will be teaching in a middle school, which scares me a litttle - anyone got any feedback with regards to that?!

X

[superNET]

[3DR]

[DanielGabriel]

Thanks for the advice guys!

superNET - Rest assured I'm not looking for anyone to tell me where to go, merely some advice that I can add to the information I've found out myself about certain locations

With regards my accent I'm kind of expecting to soften it a bit so that's not a problem.
I've got an interview with Korvia on Monday so I'll let you guys know how I get on

[wylies99]

OP, there are many nice areas in the Gyeonggi-do province, (aka GEPIKland), but I would recommend choosing a location that is close to the Seoul subway line. Not every school is close to the subway line and having easy access to the subway line opens up the entire Seoul area to you for: tourism, shopping, and fun.

http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/eng/index.jsp

[lifeinkorea]

I would rule out anything north of Hanam and east of Hanam. My reasons are that transportation is better on the west side, you'll have less travel time if you want to go south, and you can still go into Seoul easily on weekends.

Here is a map, http://jikimi.cha.go.kr/unisearch/eimg/map_kyungki.gif

The problem areas I see lie in Yongin and Anseong. The northwestern part of Yongin seems alright, but for a first timer to Korea I wouldn't suggest Anseong or the eastern part of Yongin. No, I haven't lived in either city, but I did live in Pyeongtaek just west. It was a good year there, but not many foreigners. I kept going to Suwon and Seoul (even Uijeongbu from time to time).

Another approach, if you don't mine the subway and have time, is to look at a subway map. Where does line 1 go? Where do the other lines go? Connect the transfer points and add 10 to 15 minutes for each transfer. That's how long your total trip will take.

[wiganer]

[lifeinkorea]

[superNET]

[OculisOrbis]

[superNET]