|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
superjo2092
Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Location: Gwangju, S. Korea (Jeollanam-do)
|
 Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2011 11:40 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
I've been living in Gwangju a lil over 2 years now, and I really enjoy it. The foreigner community is pretty welcoming and has recently gotten more active with theatre communities, group sports, etc. I've had friends move to Seoul from Gwangju and they've told me that they've had a harder time making friends there because it's too big. And let's be honest, Gwangju is 1.4 million people, so it's by no means a small town.
I only dig Seoul for serious shopping and to visit friends. I love it when people talk about how Seoul is the ONLY place to live in Korea. It is the same as any big ole city. You can get everything, you barely get to use the language, nothing is a challenge. That's part of the fun of living here-every day is something new and simple things back home are a challenge. You get a sense of accomplishment when you overcome these challenges. Well, at least I do.
Also, Korea is ridiculously small. A three-hour busride isn't much at all. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
sirius black
Joined: 04 Jun 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 6:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| oldtrafford wrote: |
Ignore anyone who posts that Cohiba rule thing. Its almost always posted by someone who has no clue about Korea at large. Seoul is a great city but its not for everyone. Its akin to someone telling an immigrant they have to live in NYC and outside it is wilderness.
utter rubbish. The States is known for having many, many diverse and multi cultural places. Korea isn't and doesn't offer this beyond Seoul and at a push Busan!! Your analogy is ridiculous!! |
Seoul is diverse in only a few places (itaewon and hogdae), How many times do you see a foreigner in mokpo?
Daegu, Busan, Daejeon ALL have areas where its foreigner heavy. You can live in many parts of Seoul and not see foreigners in numbers unless you go to certain areas.
You can see a random foreigner or whateve on your train line...maybe but you can run into random foreigners on a train or bus line in any city of size.
You're one of those if its not Seoul you can't live in Korea and have a good life type. Which is really those that mask their not having the balls or the confidence to live anywhere else in Korea because they need the security blanket of having foreigners in itaewon or hongdae because they need to be as culturally close to their home countries as possible. You lie to yourself and others that you live in Seoul for the great museums, restaurants which they NEVER visit. A joke, masking being cosmopolitan for being scared.
Again, Seoul is a great city. I love the city but some of you are on your knees sucking on Seoul as if its the end to be all and that one can't have a great life anywhere else. Its a bit pathetic really selling it as such to newcomers or people making inquiries about Korea. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sirius black
Joined: 04 Jun 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 7:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| superjo2092 wrote: |
I've been living in Gwangju a lil over 2 years now, and I really enjoy it. The foreigner community is pretty welcoming and has recently gotten more active with theatre communities, group sports, etc. I've had friends move to Seoul from Gwangju and they've told me that they've had a harder time making friends there because it's too big. And let's be honest, Gwangju is 1.4 million people, so it's by no means a small town.
I only dig Seoul for serious shopping and to visit friends. I love it when people talk about how Seoul is the ONLY place to live in Korea. It is the same as any big ole city. You can get everything, you barely get to use the language, nothing is a challenge. That's part of the fun of living here-every day is something new and simple things back home are a challenge. You get a sense of accomplishment when you overcome these challenges. Well, at least I do.
Also, Korea is ridiculously small. A three-hour busride isn't much at all. |
Good post. Here's another thing about Seoul. Whenever people go to Hongdae or Itaewon its to be with and hangout with friends. No one wants a random foreigner coming up to them or their group. Its the same as being back in your home country. You have your group and you don't interact with others.
If you're new and lonely and you to go to Itaewon or Hongdae or Sincheon try going up to some random group of foreigners and introduce yourself? Its the same as doing that in LA, NY or London, they'll think something is wrong with you.
However, in other cities you're more likely to be invited to hang out and make quick friends that way. The foreign community is tighter outside of Seoul for the most part.
Again, Seoul is great. I'm not saying it is but I am saying that the criticism of those of other places of Korea is incorrect and ignorant.
Furthermore, plenty of the people who do that are small town folks back in the states and can now feel big because they live in a huge metropolis. Like its an accomplishment. These same folks wouldn't last a week in NYC or Chicago. Scared out of their little town Iowa or Indiana minds they'll get robbed. I grew up in a big city in the states. Seoul is a joke compared to it in terms of living dangerously. Not putting Seoul down for it, I think its great that a city of 10 mil can be so safe. I can only wish American cities were like that. I say it because some feel that living there makes them a big city guy or gal. I went to school in a small college town in the south. I can live anywhere but I do see the value in all types of places and won't put some place down for no reason. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
