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joemartin
Joined: 04 Apr 2011
Location: Busan
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 Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:33 am Post subject: Meeting people with EPIK |
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Hello, I'm moving to Korea in a few weeks to start teaching at a public school with EPIK in Busan.
I was just wondering how easy it is to meet either westerners or English speaking Koreans if you're not working in a language institute with other English teachers.
I'm now starting to learn Korean but it will be a while before I can integrate without the help of fellow English speakers.
Has anyone experienced working with EPIK or in a state school in Korea? |
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Underwaterbob
Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Location: In Cognito
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| Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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| No worries, EPIK will force multiple NET gatherings on you. If you get here for the training, your first two weeks will be nothing but. |
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rickpidero
Joined: 03 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2011 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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| Underwaterbob wrote: |
| No worries, EPIK will force multiple NET gatherings on you. If you get here for the training, your first two weeks will be nothing but. |
Ya, he is right. Go to the orientation, you will meet so many people. It is basically like the first week of college all over again (well in America). |
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DejaVu
Joined: 27 Jan 2011
Location: Your dreams
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| Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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Underwaterbob wrote:
No worries, EPIK will force multiple NET gatherings on you. If you get here for the training, your first two weeks will be nothing but.
Ya, he is right. Go to the orientation, you will meet so many people. It is basically like the first week of college all over again (well in America). |
Except instead of college, it's more like middle school. I felt like a child and was sick of how much I was forced to speak to native-English speakers in my first week of "experiencing Korea".
The orientation is depressing unless you're someone who relies on social interaction to enjoy your life. |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 12:23 am Post subject: |
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GEPIK orientation wasn't much better.
Just take my advice. It's better to meet other teachers who will live in your area than to "hook up" with other teachers because they are your same age, hair color or from your home country. Those are the "natural divisions" but it's better, in the long run, to talk to others. You will understand later. Try to meet other foreigners who will live in your area. You will see them at many school events plus they are easier to meet after work, for shopping, or in case you have questions or an emergency. |
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Draz
Joined: 27 Jun 2007
Location: Land of Morning Clam
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| Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Being in Busan you'll probably be okay with making friends. I made friends at EPIK orientation but there were only like 6 of us in my province so they became just "weekend friends" because we were all spread out so much. |
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rickpidero
Joined: 03 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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| DejaVu wrote: |
| Quote: |
Underwaterbob wrote:
No worries, EPIK will force multiple NET gatherings on you. If you get here for the training, your first two weeks will be nothing but.
Ya, he is right. Go to the orientation, you will meet so many people. It is basically like the first week of college all over again (well in America). |
Except instead of college, it's more like middle school. I felt like a child and was sick of how much I was forced to speak to native-English speakers in my first week of "experiencing Korea".
The orientation is depressing unless you're someone who relies on social interaction to enjoy your life. |
Someone like a human |
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sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 7:54 am Post subject: |
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| Underwaterbob wrote: |
| No worries, EPIK will force multiple NET gatherings on you. If you get here for the training, your first two weeks will be nothing but. |
The trouble is maintaining contact. Find local teachers at these events and try to arrange regular events/meetings. |
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chrisinkorea2011
Joined: 16 Jan 2011
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| Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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I say just wherever you go, look for foreigners, introduce yourself and im sure you will find something in common between you and them. like stated before GEPIK orientation isnt much better, (although ive never been to an EPIK orientation) GEPIK thought it would be cool to try to CRAM things into peoples minds, it was like a horrible attempt at forced assimilation. The only fun part was eating food but even then it was mediocre food.
but you will be in busan. there is ALOT of foreigners there, and plenty to do. also at the very least learn to read korean and learn basic terms. you would be surprised at how many things that are in korean lettering are just the way to pronounce english words. good luck |
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meagan8477
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
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sallymonster
Joined: 06 Feb 2010
Location: Seattle area
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