Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mking55]

This really isn't a tale of woe but I'll give some of my naive background and then ask my questions.

After working for some 20+ years in computer software I woke up one morning in January and thought I'd have an adventure. I thought I could go overseas (I'm Canadian and had been living in Texas for 10 years) and teach English. I didn't want to look at a computer screen all day anymore. And I'd taught ESL 25 years ago in Israel.

I knew nothing about Korea except it seemed to pay the best and they paid for the plane ticket up front so I felt they were putting their cards down first. I would have preferred China but $500 a month and maybe plane ticket reimbursement didn't quite cut it for me.

I wanted a small city because I don't like big cities and I thought I'd have a better chance of meshing with the locals. If I wanted to socialize with North Americans, I could have stayed in North America. I sent out the resumes and got a job offer in Gwangyang. I looked at the website and it looked fine. (What website doesn't make their place look good?). My interview with the director went well and she seemed like the kind of person I could get along with.

Now the reality. I'm bored. I haven't met anyone outside the school and I'm the only foreign teacher there. I still haven't gotten the city tour from the school director although it's promised to me almost daily. I haven't been introduced to any Korean's. I would need a Korean who could speak some English as my Korean is non-existant. I don't know where to turn. (And I won't even get into female companionship although I'd like to).

Does anyone (I'm desperate) live in Gwangyang or close and care to meet and pass along some pointers? After just a month I'm thinking of pulling up stakes and trying another city. I came for adventure and going to work and coming to my apartment is not an adventure. I need to meet people.

As many have said to me back in North America, "What were you thinking"? Good question. Then again, not many people of 50 (and a very young 50) would just pick up and move half way across the world without knowing anything. They'd either be an adventurer or a fool. The jury is still out.

So I'm reaching out for some help, guidance, companionship, friendship, whatever. If you're in the area, all the better.

Thanks for your attention.

[kangnam mafioso]

i've never heard of that town so i can't help you much. join some clubs (hiking, korean classes, tai kwon do, etc, church, whatever floats your boat). find out what bar all the waegooks go to and go there even if you don't drink. develop some hobbies (reading, language, writing, photography, etc). i always go by the old saying, "if you can't enjoy your own company, how can you expect others to?" socially, my first 6 months in korea were pretty awkward and i was in seoul, the city with the most expats (old and young) and nightlife and things to do. many weekends were spent alone. after a while you will start to meet people.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I've never heard of Gwangyang either.

You are on the right track posting here. That's a good first step. Someone is bound to be in your neighborhood.

The other poster is right about joining things...hiking club or photography club. A gym. An art class. Check your personal interests and set about developing those. What kind of experiences were you looking for that constitute an 'adventure'? Focus on finding those. There are always Koreans around who speak some English, especially among younger people. The trick is to get yourself into situations where you can meet them.

I'd say to sit down with your boss and be frank: Your adjustment to Korea (and your eventual success as a teacher) is suffering because you need some help getting started. Have her check around for groups/classes you might be interested in. Mention the local colleges/universities--they usually have English clubs and all of them would be delighted to have a native speaker attend. Once you make that initial connection, you'll be OK. I highly recommend studying Korean. That will give you the confidence to get out there on your own.

PS: You are not free to just change cities at will. It can be done, but you have to follow the rules to do it. And it will likely sour relations with your present employer.

[ashke516]

Is it near Suncheon in Jeollanam-do province? If it is, here are a couple of sites that may help you out:

http://au.geocities.com/yangposse/

[email protected]

[email protected]

[Ekuboko]

I hadn't heard of Gwangyang either, until last night.
I was reading about a big Apricot Blossom Festival there starting next weekend.
Was hard to find on the map! Might be a bit of a hike to get to from where I am though...

[mking55]

Actually, I do enjoy my own company. I enjoy it more when I have a choice between being alone and doing something. I've often chose to do something alone. What I hate is the lack of choice.

I tried to join a Yoga class. I thought this is something I don't have to know Korean to do, something with Koreans, and I'd be fine. I got someone to help me sign up and went back the next day by myself to begin. The person running the gym (where the classes were to be) told me in Korean and sign language to come back on March 2nd because that's when they would begin. I wonder why he didn't tell the Korean person who went with me originally. I went back on March 2nd and he told me to come back on March 13th. I got my money back (he didn't understand English except for "give me my money back"). So now I have to find a new place for that. What was good about this place was it was only a short walk from my apartment.

I plan to learn Korean. The school director offered to teach me. So far she has given me a piece of paper with the constanants on them and said, "memorize these". She is long on promises and short on backing them up.

She is nice and does try to do things for me, but I want to not be dependent on her for things to do. I want to socialize with her occassionally, not have her as my only link to the outside world. Tonight I will go to a bar or 2 by myself because that's all I can think of. I'm not a bar goer, but I've got to get out.

I love the little things like kids coming up to me on the street and saying, "Hello, my name is ...". I have no problem going out and fumbling my way through. I do it at the supermarket. I can act out things and people will try to help.

I appreciate the suggestions so far. I just wanted to say that I'm pretty fearless and am willing to try whatever it takes. I've even gone so far as to ask my students if any of their parents spoke any English. No luck. I don't think I'll stoop to "do any of you have an older sister"?

There must be someone in these parts who can reply. And I joined the 2 Yahoo groups mentioned. The Gwangyang one seems pretty dead and Suncheon is only about a 30 minute bus ride so that may be okay.

Any and all suggestions are most appreciated so thank you so far.

[kangnam mafioso]

[Banana Bender]

MKing,

I live in Gwangyang ( not the posco side ) give me a PM and I can give you my phone number.

Regards

BB