Korean Job Discussion Forums

[abarto]

Hello everyone,

I applied early for TaLK's Summer 2014 session for one year, and I have a Skype interview Sunday. I know that my placement isn't up to me, but I read online that early applicants are more likely to be placed in the region they requested. I don't really know much about Korea's non-metropolitan areas. TaLK placements include the provinces:

-Gangwon
-Chungnam
-Chungbuk
-Jeonbuk
-Gyeongbuk
-Gyeonnam
-Busan
-Jeonnam
-Jeju

I think I can only request a province, not a town within the province. I don't mind living in a rural area. I am more of a city person, but I definitely love my peace and quiet as well.

Can any of you suggest or share you experiences in any of these regions? Here is some more information about me that can be somewhat important for deciding:

-I prefer a cold winter over a hot summer
-I have a friend who lives in Seoul who I would like to visit often
-I care more about travel costs compared to travel times if I want to go into Seoul
-I really want to experience the music scene. I completed my undergrad degree in a music conservatory, and I am really curious to experience the music culture of Korea that isn't K-Pop. So, I want to visit the cities that have booming musician/artists communities
-I prefer mountains over the sea

I know my placement request is definitely not a guarantee, but I'm real curious to see what non-natives of South Korea suggest. Thanks!

[Hokie21]

Korea is tiny, anywhere you go in Korea expect a hot summer and a cold winter.

[abarto]

Ok yeah, I get that. I am used to 9 degree F winters with negative windshield, and humid summers in the high 90's, so I guess what I meant I prefer more of the winter environment over the summer environment.. like I don't really swim so I am not looking for a place to swim for the summer. I like winters, so I would be more inclined to be somewhere that would be more likely to have more snow than, let's say more southern areas.

Doing a search on these boards, a lot of people say that statement. I don't think it's a negative thing. It's what I've experienced my whole life. I am more curious to people's experience in certain regions because of the culture of certain communities in that area, ease of access, etc.

[jvalmer]

Live in a town that is on one of the major train lines (Honnam or Gyeongbu Lines). That way, transportation will be that much more convenient.

[jvalmer]

[mayorhaggar]

Other than Busan and to a lesser extent Jeju, all of those provinces are pretty big. So where you end up is going to be a total gamble.

I'd go with Chungnam if you want to be near Seoul.

Gangwon if you want to be in the most naturally beautiful province but are ok with really long bus trips to get anywhere.

Busan if you want to be in or near a big city, but it's surely more competitive to get a position there.

As for music, probably Seoul is your best bet to see live stuff. Kpop is REALLY dominant here but there are a lot of good Korean indie bands you can find on youtube.

[abarto]

[mayorhaggar]

I live in Chungbuk. From my town it is about a 3 hour total bus ride to Seoul (take one bus to Cheongju then take an express bus to Seoul), and about 3.5 hours to Busan if you bus to Daejeon and hop on KTX.

Chungbuk looks small on paper but it's so mountainous that when you take the buses it takes foreeeevvveerrr to get anywhere. To get to the nearest big city takes 80 minutes on the bus, or if you have a car about 35 minutes. The main problem is that the countryside buses here take really weird windy routes instead of just hopping on the expressway. Probably you will face this anywhere in rural Korea, and TALK mainly focuses on rural schools.

If you did pick Chungbuk, if you were in the north getting to Seoul would be pretty easy. In the south it's harder but you'd split the difference with getting to Busan.

I like my town but the transit situation is definitely a drag. And in general I don't find Chungbuk particularly scenic or interesting. There are some nice places up in the hills but you need a car to get to them. The places you can get to by bus are always super crowded. I'd love to go check out Danyang but it's like 6 hours away by bus, and I imagine it's super crowded. Cheongju would be nice to live in but it's not much fun to go to on the weekend, I'd much rather go to Seoul or Busan.

I don't think Chungnam would be that much more interesting but at least it has beaches and somewhat better access to Seoul and probably to Busan, and definitely better access to the SW corner of the country. Everything really depends on exactly where you end up. I wouldn't stress too much about being in a tiny rural town, even if you do end up here and you're a positive and flexible person, you'll really enjoy being in South Korea.

[abarto]