Korean Job Discussion Forums

[alexthethird]

Hello. I've applied for a rural placement in Gyeongsangnam-do. I was most interested in the Hadong County in Gyeongsangnamdo, but now that my recruiter has sent me the list of vacancies (with a deadline fast approaching!) Hapcheon looks like a top pick. (Along with Geochang and Haman.)

Firstly, any cautionary words to me, who is a gal looking for good food, quiet town, walkability in her placement, about which of these cities is best? Hapcheon looked good.

I have a choice between two 3-school tracks in Hapcheon:
- Samga ES, Samga MS, and Hapcheon HS
- Chogye ES, Chogye MS, Ssangchack ES

I'm not too picky about ES/HS and am pretty adaptable with cultural issues. I guess I'd like to ask anyone familiar with Hapcheon if you have a recommendation of which one of the two routes above would involve the most regular/calm flow of commuting. I like walking and biking more than bussing/driving, and I'd prefer less time being eaten up by commuting than more. (being HUMAN and all!) Any red-flag problems you'd see at one of these schools would also be appreciated if shared!

I'm damn close to PM priveleges, but not yet.

Thanks

[vw08]

Looks like you're applying through Korean Horizons! I filled out the same preference form last night for them, except I chose postings closer to Busan/Ulsan.

[Neziru]

I have no first hand experience to offer, but accounts I've heard from some filipino friends who live there say that Hapcheon is a great place! The foreigner community that exists there is pretty active from what I've heard. Sorry I'm not much more help.

[Modernist]

Those are some heavy-duty rural choices, for sure. I looked at Gyeongsangnam through KH as well, although I ended up in Chungnam instead. I think of the 3 you list I would concur with Hapcheong.

As far as commuting goes, just know that walking & biking will be pretty strenuous because there are more and steeper hills than you would think, Korean drivers are pretty lead-footed and never honk, and the sidewalks, here in rural Chungnam anyway, are not at all smooth but rutted/pitted tiles. Not the easiest for walking, really bad for biking. You'll have to ride on the road, and there won't be any painted lanes. I don't think Koreans driving in rural areas are used to bikers. There's a _lot_ of big, heavy trucks roaring around too, and their exhaust is usually, well, unpleasant.

Finally, I would strongly advise taking the track with all three levels. My slot here is 3/5 middle, 2/5 elementary, and the elementary is much more energy intensive than the MS. 3rd graders can wear you down