Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cocoajelly]

I guess we received the same e-mail. By the time the contracts go back to seoul so they can send them to the recruiters and then they send it to us I think it will be about 2 weeks.

The only thing that concerns me is the visa. Would we need to go the the nearest korean Embassy or can we send in our passport and paper wok. If we ned to go in I have to fly To Canberra and back (4hours)

I think i'm going to start slowly packing from now. The last thing that I want is to freak out the day before my flight.

Where are you flying from?

[Boating3]

[oldfatfarang]

[cocoajelly]

At least did you enjoy your year? where were you based?

[oldfatfarang]

[chellovek]

[lowpo]

[toonchoon]

pretty easy to get a job out in the countryside. i wonder if you thought gangwon is gangnam

nothing bad about working out in the middle of nowhere, except for the loneliness factor. prepare to be by yourself, most of the time, in a place where nobody speaks English.

culture shock? expect to be blown off your feet, expect instances of severe loneliness, feeling down and even mild depression.

these are worst case scenarios. you'll probably be OK especially if you're OK being alone.

[toonchoon]

[cocoajelly]

Apart from living in big cities I have actually lived in very remote mountain areas and I loved it. I guess you have to be comfortable with yourself to be able to live in such a rural area. There were times that several months would go by before I had the need to go to a city or a small town.

*****Just to give you an example: The area that I lived in had about 60 people and the closest small town (or what could be registered as a small town) was 3.5 hours away by car.*****

[bencrow]

Cocoajelly, congrats on being placed in Gangwon. My recruiter let me know on Sunday that I was placed there too.

I am also not so into nightlife, and I have also lived for long durations in very rural areas. I feel prepared in some ways. But I am sure many of you who have commented here are right, there is only so much mental preparation for this. For instance, I have never lived in a place where most people don't speak English.

I have read what people say in a few other threads: You will be lonely, Gangwon is boring, it rains a lot, etc.

But, it was my first choice because I have heard class sizes can be smaller. I love to hike in the mountains, go biking in the mountains, live in the mountains. I don't mind rain (I won't go so far as to say I enjoy it).

However if it sucks, I will let you all know.

I appreciate everyones insight, I have been following Korea Job Discussion threads for a while. Needless to say they have been extremely informative, and intermittently inflammatory.

[cocoajelly]

Hey Bencrow,

We should catch up for a hike or some biking in the mountains. Can't wait to get there.

[bencrow]

Sounds good Cocoajelly, I will let you know where I end up. I will be interested to meet some other NET's in Gangwon and see what they think.

[cocoajelly]

Chances are that I'll meet you at orientation. The Gangwon group is pretty small, only 50 people.

See you in korea

[stonebridgetom]

Hey Cocoajelly and Bencrow,

I'll be in Gangwon from March too, although not at the EPIK orientation. Hope to see you around.