Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kiwikorea]

I have been offered a couple of jobs in Wanju but from researching on the internet I cannot find any good information on the place. I've gathered that it is quite small (pop. 85,000) but there is a university there. Does anyone have any idea of what it might be like to live/work there?

Thank you

[ajosshi]

Wanju = Boondocks

Good luck!

[northway]

As the above poster said, it's kind of out there. I've passed through anyone of my old coworkers lived there prior to my working with him. Per my understanding, it might be okay if you really want to immerse yourself in Korean language and culture, but ultimately, it's still a small town. There aren't a lot of Western dining options and the nightlife is pretty dead (again, this is second hand). That said, it's somewhat centrally located and is ideal for getting to some of the more scenic areas of the country. I don't think I'd really want to live there, but it depends on what you're looking for.

[Kiwikorea]

Great, I think I may be go with a job in a more populated area but thanks heaps for the replies!

[luckylady]

stinks like hell out there - some kind of slaughterhouse nearby or similar?

extremely humid in the summer - the uni is a joke of sorts - stay away from there (English teaching that is)

there are other places, you can do much better elsewhere

[Hoost]

I used to work and live in Wanju county for almost 3 years.

It is true, the county is real country. I felt like I walked backwards in time.

There is absolutely no nightlife there and forget about many common franchises. It's mostly local. Though, on the good side that means that the area is SUPER cheap to live in.

Also, it does smell like shit. Literally. We used to call the smell, "shit-wind" in korean. No one knew exactly why it smelled so bad. We all had theories and urban legends, but most likely it's due to pig farms or highly enriched farmland (with manure). Whenever it starts to smell really bad, you know it'll rain the next day. It can get so bad that the smell woke me up from sleep.

I wouldn't consider working at a hagwon there. You'll be lonely, and there are many other better places to work. However, if you can work the University there (which I did)... you'll be pretty set. I don't know why anyone would call this university shit. Sure, it's not a highly ranked University, but if they pay you well, on-time, and provide a great working environment, who cares?

If you can work at the University, take it and don't hesitate.

[luckylady]

taught there one summer at the uni - the camp was run by the same aholes that ran the uni program - so maybe they aren't there any more?

the teachers who taught during the school year also taught at the camps. I talked to all of them as we were all together frequently - it was a 4 wk camp.

one of the biggest gripes was the lack of respect. for instance, during the camp, instructors who taught during the year and lived off campus there in Wanju were still forced to stay in the dorms, on campus, and abide by a curfew. this alone was probably the most ridiculous rule I've ever encountered EVER in Korea.

virtually all the teachers there were unhappy and all said they did not plan to renew their contracts - which means there were always openings.

now, maybe things have changed, new management, etc., which would be great. maybe I should have qualified what I said with this statement but it's been my experience that things like this rarely do change, if ever, so I didn't.

however, I would definitely say if anyone is considering a uni position there to talk to several of the other FTs there, in detail, and be sure of what's going on first and foremost.

in the end, tho, the stink alone in that town is enough to say no way, IMO.

[Weigookin74]

Went to visit a buddy down that way a couple of years ago. Think he went back home now. He worked for the Wanju education office. It surrounds Jeonju. If you work for them, you'll be housed in Jeonju and commute in the morning. You'll have multiple schools. Might let you leave early to catch the bus. He seemed to like it.

But, he told me of a friend who also worked for the schools there but was pimped out by this local rural university to the schools. He had to actually live out there and teach slightly more, but his schools sent him home when he was done.

A hakwon ought there might suck, unless they are paying really high, but I doubt that.

[Weigookin74]

[Hoost]

[Hoost]

[Weigookin74]