Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eventually]

My upcoming position is located right flat smack dab in the center of precisely absolutely nowhere. I am a first year ESL teacher, new to Korea.

Actually, I've been interviewed for, and subsequently offered (every time!), many positions throughout Korea, including Seoul. This is the only one, however, that is with a public school system and not a hagwon, and all the hagwon horror stories were enough to scare me into the boonies. I decided to sacrifice city comforts for nice, stable and predictable working conditions.

Anyway, I am wondering: if I end up going stir crazy, all cabin feverish and feeling the effects of space madness, is it possible and/or probable that the office of education will feel sorry for me and transfer me to a more populated area?

Or would I have to stick it out? I mean, don't get me wrong, I can know I can do it, and I know there's also a strong possibility I'll love the peace/time to write seriously and just use the weekends to travel, but I have the feeling there may come a time I'll wish I at least knew the answer to this question.

[YTMND]

There is not enough information to go on. Where exactly are you?

Korea is not a big country. My best guess is that you are with EPIK and in the east rather than the west. I'll even go further and guess north rather than south.

If you don't mind getting new documents, you could just ask them about relocation. If they say no, give your 30 day notice and then leave.

[Troglodyte]

It's extremely unlikely that they'll transfer you.

As far as hogwon vs PS. Both have their pros and cons. Both can be great. Both can be a nightmare. Each has it's own set of potential problems. So.... if you're only choosing a PS because you think that it will be without problems, then you should read more posts here and start considering the hogwon jobs as well. Since most PS jobs hire about the same time, the problems associated with a PS job are seasonal and most people experience them at about the same time. Hogwon's hire all the time so problems in that sector trickle in on the forums throughout the year.

[eventually]

it's in the west, actually. northish west. below seoul. paranoid about my recruiter reading this and ascertaining my identity, so i never like to give too many details: i plan on using this forum for many complaints and dumb questions to come.

regarding hagwons: i realize some are okay, but given this is my first time going, and i don't know which ones are good and which ones are schemes/scams, i wanted to choose a tried and true job. i am aware the PS job will not be without its issues, but at least they'll pay me and i know they exist. my other "this is a sure thing that will pay me and my recruiter will not switch me to a worse school at the last minute" option was POLY, which i was hired for -- but i heard and read nothing but nasty reviews here, and elsewhere.

my only issue now is, "Where the hell am I going?" i read a thread here started by a fellow who lived in my future area. he made it sound like Green Acres was the place to be, but he wasn't new to South Korea...

well, i'm in this for the money and the adventure. at least i'll have both there.

[YTMND]

[eventually]

i looked at a map again, and it's more right in the middle of Korea - not to the north. it's just below Deajeon, but still in the same province. is that no longer nice territory?

[YTMND]

[eventually]

boy, no need to be so mean. i'm not playing games; i'm protecting my identity. i would do this on any website, ever, regardless of my location or exact job, and it's not a bad idea. this is a Good Idea for anyone and everyone.

anyway, looking at that map my suspicions are confirmed: i am in the boonies -- i think that's all the information i need to share for my particular question. and as far as i can tell, it looks like i'm sticking it out. at least i'll have a more interesting experience to share.

[YTMND]

[eventually]

I did. I said below Daejeon...

[YTMND]

[eventually]

it's below Daejeon while being in the same province, as i said. if i give you any more clues than that, i'd be telling you exactly where i'll live. you want my exact location, while claiming you don't need my exact location to help me. surely you can step into my new balance sneakers and understand why i find this ridiculous, yeah?

anyway. let's just say i am using EPIK, for the sake of convenience. and actually, none of this is for me. it's for a friend. 's uncle.

[Sector7G]

If you are within 30 minutes of Daejeon by bus, I'd venture to say it's not too bad.

Daejeon, is major crossing point for the train lines with 2 stations-Daejeon and Seodaejeon. From there you can zip up to Seoul in 1 hour by KTX, or about 2 hours down to either Busan in the SE or Mokpo and Yeosu in the SW.

It's a moderately large city that has plenty to do- it even has a Costco.

But then again, it depends on how long it takes you to get there. Even 30 minutes to civilization might be too long for some.

I live in Iksan, about an hour south of Daejeon by train.

[YTMND]

[eventually]

thank you, sector. i really do have a lot of questions, but as i said, i don't feel comfortable identifying myself on the internet. if anyone who lives near that area or knows about that area could PM me, i'd greatly appreciate it.