Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pauly]

Well, I'm finally on my way. I'll be in Incheon this Thursday at 5:40 pm. I don't know if I'll be left to my own devices or if they have anything planned for me, as I am the first of 9 teachers to arrive, but if there's anything anyone can suggest for things to do, that would be great. Unfortunately, I don't know where I'm going to be staying yet. Looking forward to meeting some of you.

[Reflections]

Not trying to be cynical, but in all honesty the place is a cess-pit. After travelling to just over 20 countries, Incheon was the worst; period.

One of the most heavily polluted backward cities I have had the misfortune of living in. The quality of people is looooow, all of the car plants spill their guts out 24/7 and if that doesn't knock you over, then the yellow cloud from China which is arriving soon, will. Mexico City with its infamous pollution problems was like the garden of eden in comparison, literally.

I was constantly sick in Incheon for the whole year.

I would try and change to Seoul, but that was just my experiece. Also, depends where you are - I was in Gyesan.

I have read many other people had more rewarding times there.

Best day was getting my bonus check and departing>

[Reflections]

Not trying to be cynical, but in all honesty the place is a cess-pit. After travelling to just over 20 countries, Incheon was the worst; period.

One of the most heavily polluted backward cities I have had the misfortune of living in. The quality of people is looooow, all of the car plants spill their guts out 24/7 and if that doesn't knock you over, then the yellow cloud from China which is arriving soon, will. Mexico City with its infamous pollution problems was like the garden of eden in comparison, literally.

I was constantly sick in Incheon for the whole year.

I would try and change to Seoul, but that was just my experiece. Also, depends where you are - I was in Gyesan.

I have read many other people had more rewarding times there.

Best day was getting my bonus check and departing>

[Cohiba]

Here are two relevant posts I put up a while back about Incheon:

1/
I know this post is about Ichon, but I have to
put my 2 cents in here. I have lived in Incheon
for years and I agree that it is a city with almost
no redeeming qualities. The people who live here
have to be the most cultureless, boring hive drones
in all of Korea. And yes, garbage everywhere.
No decent foreign restaurants, no good bars. Its
one saving grace is the islands of the coast. They
are great for camping.

2/
Think twice before you live outside of Seoul. "In Seoul" and
"outside of Seoul" are like two different countries. Seoul
is an interesting place with variety and venues for most
tastes. Outside of Seoul you will find a homogenous Korean
culture. I don't mean this in a bad way, but you will never
find things like: brown bread, good beer, bars with good
tunes, English book stores etc.

Remember the FFF RULE. FFF=Fun For Foreigners.

If FFF in Seoul = 100, then FFF decreases at
1/distance. So 2km from Seoul FFF=1/2(100)=50;
10km from Seoul FFF=1/10(100)=10. This rule is
a rule for nightlife, food and foreign products only.
Nature etc. is on a different scale altogether.

This means you will be wasting a lot of time commuting
to Seoul. This is especially a drag if you have been
boozing on a Friday night and there are no buses or
trains.

I, unfortunately, live in Inchon where the FFF factor
is almost in the negative range. I know!

[Scott in HK]

Are you working for the Incheon Board of Education...and will you be staying at the Robert Hotel...

I just left a job with the Incheon Board and I heard about a new group coming in soon...

Incheon is not that bad...and if you are part of that group there is a small chance that you might not be leaving in the city...

The other group I know of lives in the Airport New City...out in the country..

[pauly]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Unfortunately the part about the pollution and being sick all the time is true. Bupyeoung is all right. Incheon still has everything you need in terms of shopping. Are you arriving with such a large group of newbies? That should be interesting. I'm sure you'll find your footing soon enough. Hopefully you'll be close to a subway line. If you find it's complete shit and can't find the one location where all the foreigners hang out give me a pm in a few weeks.

[Scott in HK]

The part about being sick all the time may be true for some...but not for me...I haven't been sick any more than usual....

Pauly....the teachers I know working out by the airport are all in new officetels (spelling)...I don't know if that is where they are putting the new batch of teachers...you might be housed somewhere else...

We were working at the Incheon Board of Education's Language Institute, so our jobs were different (The institute runs short English camps for students and teachers). The people there are only getting their 14 days...although there are lots of days with nothing to do....

If you are in a school, then I have heard (second hand) that you can get more holidays...but you may be expected to some English Camps...every job seems to be a littlle different....

[Son Deureo!]

North Incheon, the area around Gyesan Station, is also pretty nice. I had a great year there, and still miss it. Well, not my psycho-byotch boss, but pretty much everything else.