Korean Job Discussion Forums

Dog Soldier · Joined: 29 Sep 2010

In work so can't spend too much time.

- depends on what you like doing
- yep not to western IMHO
- yep all kinds of food available
- excellent transport links. We are in the centre of the country
- no institute but there is a YMCA and sone churches give free lessons
- about 300 westerners, though I'd only say about 200-250 are socially active

I'll try and five you some more detailed info later if there is anything else you want to know

SallyLH · Joined: 02 Nov 2011 Location: Cheongju, Korea

I moved to Cheongju around a week ago and so far it seems like a pretty cool city. It's easy enough to get around, there are good transport links to the rest of the country. The locals are all really friendly and there are plenty of places to eat western food.

Dog Soldier, do you have any other details about where to get Korean lessons, I can't seem to find any info anywhere. Do you know what churches offer lessons and whereabouts is the YMCA? Thanks!

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Biggest drawback of Cheongju is that there is no train. Well...there ARE a few in the outlying areas...but you have to either have a car or take a busl

I've lived in quite a few places since my arrival in Korea in 1996. Cheongju isn't as bad as Kunsan was...but if you like to travel, it's not the most convenient!

That said, it DOES have a BK, a Krispy Kreams and a couple of Micky D's and the immigration office is right in town.

0rangeorchid · Joined: 03 Nov 2011 Location: United States

For stuff to do I'm pretty open to anything - I love photography, so pretty stuff is a plus.

I will be the only foreigner in my hagwon, so places to meet other foreigners/people who speak English are gonna be a must. I know they must exist, right?

I officially accepted a job there yesterday and will be arriving in February, thanks everyone for your input, I'm excited =)

Dog Soldier · Joined: 29 Sep 2010

For photography there are plenty of things for you to photograph. You won't get bored of that out here.

As for meeting westerners, again it depends what you are in to. If you like drinking, then yeah there are places all near each other where all the westerners hang out.

If you do more activity stuff, then yes there are places to go in the day.

If you like doing religious stuff, then yes I know there are quite a few committed religious people out here but I have no idea what they do. Though I think there is an english service so you could meet them through that.

Do you know the name of the hagwon? area? I may know it and let you know if it's good/bad.

Sam_Barefoot · Joined: 08 Dec 2011

So a school called TILS Immersion contacted me in references to my resume where I said I would prefer a school in Cheongju. The lady wrote "We are located in Cheongju, which is the capital city of Chungcheongbuk-do (province), in South Korea. Our city is about 1 hr 30min drive from Seoul."

But my draft contract says "Chungju Traditional Immersion Language School (TILS)"

Is it possible Cheongju can be interchanged with Chungju?? I'll ask her about it when I write back but I was anxious to hear what other people thought (I'm just waiting on advice on my contract before I respond back to her).

Edit: BTW, my draft contract is posted here if you have time to review it!
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=197658&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=1020