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thejoker9
Joined: 17 Mar 2003
Location: Zhuhai, China
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 Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2003 5:49 am Post subject: I'm coming to teach and have some questions...hlep? |
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Hello ladies and gents-
I've loved reading your postings and have found them to be helpful. I was recently offered a job and I am thinking about coming to ROK but I have a few questions that I was hoping some of the old hands could help me out with.
1) Anyone taught at Chonnam National University? What's the scoop?
2) Anyone from Gwangju? Is it a nice place to live? Busy? Scenic? etc..
3) What kind of western food can I expect? I've been living in China for two years now and might just kill someone for a lasagna....
4) Can I watch MLB (Baseball) on TV? You can't do it in China because they aren't really into it and the government isn't too big on playing anything they don't create or have the chance to edit first..
5) What about book stores with a decent selection of English books? There is nothing where I live now and want to know about the possibilities of picking up the Sunday editions of a US paper, some novels, maybe even a few American comic books...maybe I am asking too much here.
6) Racism is a problem here...what can I expect in Korea? When I say it is a problem I mean they have posted cameras outside my housing at my current university and prohibit me from talking to any female students outside of class..of course my Chinese neighbor who is also a professor has a few of his students spend the night on a regular basis but they look the other way for him and glare at me if I am at all friendly..not to mention that we have the spies from the administration and the government come into our classes. Not the Chinese teacher's classes but for all the foreigners. I don't mind staring or odd questions. I'm used to it and curiosity doesn't bother me. I also don't mind people who just have no use for people other than those like them. My problem is when it is institutionalized. How bad is it really?
Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2003 8:19 am Post subject: Re: I'm coming to teach and have some questions...hlep? |
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| thejoker9 wrote: |
| 1) Anyone taught at Chonnam National University? What's the scoop? |
I don't know on this one.
| thejoker9 wrote: |
| 2) Anyone from Gwangju? Is it a nice place to live? Busy? Scenic? etc.. |
I never lived here, but had two friends who did. They seemed to like it ALOT! Especially compared to Busan where they had been the previous year.
| thejoker9 wrote: |
| 3) What kind of western food can I expect? I've been living in China for two years now and might just kill someone for a lasagna.... |
I'd expect very little if any. If you are in China, I'd recommend taking a trip to Yangshou or Hong Kong to get yourself some good western food. (I think Yangshou would have it? I went to Dali & Lijiang and those little backpacker haunts certainly did.
However, in Korea.. there is very little western food. Just some fast-food restaurants here and there.. However, Korean food is pretty good in my opinion.
| thejoker9 wrote: |
| 4) Can I watch MLB (Baseball) on TV? You can't do it in China because they aren't really into it and the government isn't too big on playing anything they don't create or have the chance to edit first.. |
Hmm.. not sure? There is some sports cable plus AFKN (military-based tv).. I don't follow sports though.. so not too sure.. someone will know..
| thejoker9 wrote: |
| 5) What about book stores with a decent selection of English books? There is nothing where I live now and want to know about the possibilities of picking up the Sunday editions of a US paper, some novels, maybe even a few American comic books...maybe I am asking too much here. |
Most english books in Korea tend to be Lonely Planet travel guides, literature, and K-Mart real mainstream paperbacks. Don't know about Sunday editions of newspapers, maybe near the military base. American comic books.. yeah, probably definetely asking too much on that one.. you are probably better off getting a subscription to comic book stuff.. and maybe even news magazines rather than sunday newspapers..
| thejoker9 wrote: |
| 6) Racism is a problem here...what can I expect in Korea? When I say it is a problem I mean they have posted cameras outside my housing at my current university and prohibit me from talking to any female students outside of class.. |
| thejoker9 wrote: |
| My problem is when it is institutionalized. How bad is it really? |
Institutionalize racism with cameras at your house.. no. Never heard of that in Korea before. No problem either with visitors.. unless you happen to be working at a university and living in the dormitory or something.. they often have dormitory rules for no guests.
But, generally, no. Never. |
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The Great Wall of Whiner
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
Location: Middle Land
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2003 4:37 pm Post subject: no |
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Tiger Beer wrote:
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| However, in Korea.. there is very little western food. Just some fast-food restaurants here and there.. However, Korean food is pretty good in my opinion. |
I don't know where you are Tiger Beer, but I have seen tons of western food places in Korea!
I had lasagna at Wal-Mart in Korea everytime I went shopping.
Also, there are tons of western restaurants in Korea, not just fast foods.
Even lots of Korean places have western menus. |
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Tiberious aka Sparkles
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2003 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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I'll field the comic book related question (you must be able to tell I'm a fan from the nifty avatar).
You can find comic books at the Kybo bookstore in downtown Seoul, or at a small foreign magazine shop in Hongdae. Of course, if your not going to be living in Seoul, I can't help ya. The comics are usually ONLY Spider-Man, Super Man and Batman. And they're expensive as hell (about twice as much as I would pay for one back in backbacon country--and that's pretty darned expensive!)
Anyway, I just noticed that my avatar eerily fits in with the type of mindset I sometimes have living here, except that I don't eat beans cold out of a can (okay, rarely) and I bathe regularly.
Watchmen fans, recognize! |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2003 9:13 pm Post subject: Re: no |
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| The Great Wall of Whiner wrote: |
Tiger Beer wrote:
| Quote: |
| However, in Korea.. there is very little western food. Just some fast-food restaurants here and there.. However, Korean food is pretty good in my opinion. |
I don't know where you are Tiger Beer, but I have seen tons of western food places in Korea!
I had lasagna at Wal-Mart in Korea everytime I went shopping.
Also, there are tons of western restaurants in Korea, not just fast foods.
Even lots of Korean places have western menus. |
Well, maybe you are right.. there is western stuff here.. hmm.. I don't know why I made my response.. I guess comparitively to most other countries.. the Western food here is pretty limited.. plus the Korean places do have western menus.. you are right.. but.. hmm.. they taste so horrible to me.. well, i'm probably all messed up because i'm addicted to daejigalbi, sallongtang, kimcheebokimbop, and a bunch of other things.. they are cheap and quick.. mandu, ramyen as well.. hmm.. i'm so addicted to that stuff.. but yeah, you are right.. western food is here.. i don't personally think its any good!! but actually it is on alot of menus and such.. true.. good point |
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Wishmaster
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 12:50 am Post subject: |
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| And people actually go to live in China. Yeah, you should expect to be spied upon as well as receive a pittance of a salary but hey, come to China for that cultural experience. What is soooo good about that culture. I've never had a desire to go there...and I never will. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 3:16 am Post subject: |
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| Wishmaster wrote: |
| And people actually go to live in China. Yeah, you should expect to be spied upon as well as receive a pittance of a salary but hey, come to China for that cultural experience. What is soooo good about that culture. I've never had a desire to go there...and I never will. |
Yeah, thats right.. that post of his definetely cuts out any desire to go there!
I've taken a couplr trips to China.. I kind of like it.. and I kind of don't.. its not nearly as alive as Korea.... very few if any people have even basic knowlege of English.. even if you write something down in English.. you forget how many Koreans, while maybe not speaking well, seem to understand things quite well if you write your question down on paper and show them.
The only real good thing about China.. is that its a huge place.. and there is this anticipation that someday that might be a good place to be..
But.. yeah.. I agree its not really the place to be now.. thats for sure.. |
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waterbaby
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Baking Gord a Cheescake pie
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| Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2003 6:23 am Post subject: |
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Getting off the topic here, but Korea is a heaven to me compared to my gawd-awful teaching experience in China. I was one of those gawd-awful complainers in China. Finally woke up to myself and realised that I didn't have to be there... so I just left! No apartment surveillance, apparently... phew! And here I am back in the Big K... no complaints now... hehehe
I find that Western food gives me the runs now... (and does anyone else find that in Asia it's perfectly acceptable to talk about one's bowel movements??? I do... converstaions often run something like this now... "How are you?" "Fine thanks, and you?." "Oh the bowels are giving me a bit of trouble, but otherwise OK." The first day of my second contract brought this one back into light after I hastily devoured a strawberry yakult and forgot to chec k the used by date...)
Though I will admit that the franchise chain "Outback Steakhouse" is worth a few cramps now and then for some succulent rack of roast lamb... yummmmmm... just awaiting my next paycheck... bring on the cramps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh dear, now I miss my mum  Shame it's so expensive.
Like TB (Tiger Beer, is it OK if I call you TB? I feel as though I know you already after reading your posts...) I'm pretty much into Korean food only. It's delicious and cheap. Has done wonders for the waist too  |
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OiGirl
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: Hoke-y-gun
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| Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Tiberious aka Sparkles wrote: |
| Anyway, I just noticed that my avatar eerily fits in with the type of mindset I sometimes have living here, except that I don't eat beans cold out of a can (okay, rarely) and I bathe regularly. |
That is a very weird comment with your current avatar!
 |
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Tiberious aka Sparkles
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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| OiGirl wrote: |
| Tiberious aka Sparkles wrote: |
| Anyway, I just noticed that my avatar eerily fits in with the type of mindset I sometimes have living here, except that I don't eat beans cold out of a can (okay, rarely) and I bathe regularly. |
That is a very weird comment with your current avatar!
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Sparkles*_* |
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kangnamdragon
Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea
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| Posted: Tue May 11, 2004 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: I'm coming to teach and have some questions...hlep? |
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| thejoker9 wrote: |
3) What kind of western food can I expect? I've been living in China for two years now and might just kill someone for a lasagna.... |
You can get anything if you know where to find it or know whom to ask. (ahem...cough cough)
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| 4) Can I watch MLB (Baseball) on TV? You can't do it in China because they aren't really into it and the government isn't too big on playing anything they don't create or have the chance to edit first.. |
Yes, it is on the Armed Forces Network. I don't imagine China has that station.
| Quote: |
| 5) What about book stores with a decent selection of English books? There is nothing where I live now and want to know about the possibilities of picking up the Sunday editions of a US paper, some novels, maybe even a few American comic books...maybe I am asking too much here. |
There are many great book stores. If you cannot find something they will order it for you. There are also ways to order books online and get free shipping to Korea. Sunday papers are hard because it is Saturday there when it is Sunday here.
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| 6) Racism is a problem here...what can I expect in Korea?! |
From my experience, those who encounter the least racism are those who make friends with Koreans. Make friends with Koreans! |
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