Korean Job Discussion Forums

callmenicknick · Joined: 27 May 2015

Hello everybody. I am going to be studying abroad in Wonju this upcoming school year. I was wondering if anybody has been there and could give me a general impression of the city. I will be in Yonsei University's Wonju Campus Global Village program for one year. This is my first post here. I'm very excited to go to Korea! Thanks!

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

Wonju is small. Very small. I know the numbers say population is something like 200'000, but that's about the equivalent actual size and convenience of a city of 20'000 back in North America. You will be living in the boonies. Your city slogan is also "Healthy Wonju" which is only slightly less ridiculous than "Good Chungju" a half hour to the south. It's only about an hour to Seoul. You will be making the trip often if you want western stuff at all. There's an Emart and I think a Lottemart. No Homeplus.

It's a little cleaner than the average small city in Korea and is actually known for having some decent, less corrupt (by Korean standards) and progressive government. Wonju has seen economic growth recently while some of its neighbors (*coughChungjucough*) wallow in stagnation. There is some gorgeous nature around there, but not really much else. I advise hiking in Chiaksan national park. Also, Danyang a little ways to the east is probably the prettiest little town in Korea.

Have fun!

Daryl69 · Joined: 30 Aug 2009

I am leaving Wonju after 6 years (all working at Yonsei) and I loved it! It is a growing city, in fact the only city in Gangwon province that is growing. There is a Home Plus as well as Emart and Lotte Mart. There is a lot of development in the Musildong area. The campus setting is beautiful, but it does get cold in the winter. The population is just over 268,000, but it does feel much smaller. The Yonsei campus is 7.5kms out of the city. The air pollution is bad, mainly generated elsewhere, but being in a valley it settles. It won't be quite as bad on the campus. The hiking is great even just in the campus surrounds. They are building a new rail link (not sure if it is KTX or subway) close to campus, near Emart. Good luck!

Underwaterbob · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Location: In Cognito

Daryl69 · Joined: 30 Aug 2009

Hey there, yep the Home Plus is maybe a couple of years old now. If you keep going up the main road in town past Lotte Cinema (there is another Lotte Cinema being built right now in Musildong) in the Dangu-dong area you will find it also on the right hand side. Living in Maeji-ri, we take the highway which takes us nearly there. I have heard rumours that Home Plus is in trouble in Korea and may be closed and/or sold off.

Bongotruck · Joined: 19 Mar 2015

But Homeplus chain is up for sale and will likely be bought out by some chaebol trash and end up a carbon copy of what is already here.

How far from Wonju to the nearest Costco? Probably Yangjae in Seoul.

denverdeath · Joined: 21 May 2005 Location: Boo-sahn

Daryl69 · Joined: 30 Aug 2009

Home Plus is good, but I still tend to shop at Emart for most things as it is closer. Nobody knows what will happen, if it will sell, be closed down, and if there are new owners, what they will do. Since I came to Korea in 2009, there has been a substantial increase in the amount of foreign goods available on most supermarket shelves in Korea, even in little Wonju. There is also G Market and other online options. I've only been to Costco once to check it out, but it didn't appeal. I am sure the original poster, "callmenicknick" is excited about coming to Wonju to do the Global Village program and experience Korean culture, language, food, etc. So may not want to do the Costco thing, or even the Home Plus thing anyhow. "callmenicknick" I am sure you will have a wonderful time, the GV program is fun and the kids are great, really keen to learn English and foreign culture, with many going on to do exchange programs. Good luck!

callmenicknick · Joined: 27 May 2015

Thanks everybody for your prompt replies. I did hear it was very small and I have heard the scenery was beautiful. I ended up choosing this place because they give all students free dorms, free plane ticket, and a $120 weekly stipend (pretty much the only reason I am going to Wonju). I have heard about HomePlus and stores like it but I am also hoping to throw myself into the Korean culture without any of the "home comforts" I may miss. Thank you very much!

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I moved to wonju almost 13 years ago exactly, and left 12 years ago, so I can't really tell you much of value but:

1. As others have said, it is surrounded by mountains. The city itself looks typically korean (lots of high rise apartments, nothing especially attractive), but it is in a very pretty location. Nearby Chiaksan is worth visiting too. I didn't think the city had bad air quality, but maybe that's a sign I've spent too much time in polluted cities...

2. The Yonsei campus is pretty far from the city center. Seemed pretty isolated to me, but that was over a decade ago...

3. You'll probably wish you were in Seoul after a few months of being in Wonju. While Wonju is only about a 90 minute bus ride from Seoul, that can get tiresome after awhile.

I also heard from a couple acquaintances that still have Wonju ties that it has grown quite a bit, and much more lively than it used to be.

Honestly, I liked living there for a year. That was about the perfect amount of time for me.

Daryl69 · Joined: 30 Aug 2009

Hey there "callmenicknick", I am sure you will have a great time! Like I said I am just about to leave Wonju after 6 years here at Yonsei Uni and I loved it. It is a fast growing small city. Korea food is fantastic and I really love it, and I have always enjoyed the lifestyle. The campus is beautiful. Maeji-ri, where the campus is, is a little quiet and lacking in entertainment choices (being 7.5 kms out of the city), but the GV program will ensure that you aren't bored anyhow. It is only for one semester right? I am sure you will love it! Very Happy

SeoulMan6 · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Location: Gangwon-do

Wonju is a city. The stated population goal is 500,000 people.

It has 4 universities, 3 movie theaters, Home Plus, EMart, Lotte Mart, Uniqlo, VIPS, Outback, a national park, a zillion bars and restaurants, a professional basketball team, and lots of other conveniences.

No, it is not Seoul. But it is nothing like a town of 20,000 people.

Yes, Yonsei is not in town. That's the bigger issue as it takes a bus or taxi ride to get to the things stated above.

peter07 · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Gwangmyeong

I'm probably moving to Wonju in a few months as my company has relocated there. The relocation of more than 15 government institutions, including the Korea Tourism Organization, will definitely raise Wonju's profile.

Also the Facebook group Wonju English Teachers is a good forum about the city.

Daryl69 · Joined: 30 Aug 2009

Agreed "Peter07" and "SeoulMan6", there is a "Techno City" being built in one area that has a whole pile of government and NGO buildings going up. On the other side, in Musil-dong there has been an explosion in building.

The FB groups, "Wonju English Teachers" and "Wonju Buy Sell Trade" are useful sources of info and on the Global Village program there will be a lot of information and support too.

There is a KTX or subway connection going in near Emart. Wonju is going to be the gateway to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics (now that place is small).

There are 4 universities in Wonju, Yonsei, Sangji, Halla, and Gangneung-Wonju National University. On the outskirts, in Munmak, there is also a branch of Kyungdong University.

The best thing about Yonsei for students is they can use the cheaper Eagle Taxi's. But normal taxis in Korea are dirt cheap. The main issue with living in the dorms is that there is a 12am curfew, which you don't want to breach too often as you may get into trouble.