Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ella]

1. Use Seoul as a base and fly/bus/train wherever for interviews, or limit myself to one area, stay there and only interview there?

2. What kind of budget accommodation can I get where my luggage will be secure? Are there any dorms/hostels where you can lock up suitcases?

3. Where can I store my luggage while I'm on overnight trips for interviews?

4. Rent a cell phone at the airport or get one elsewhere? What's the difference in cost?

I'm flying out late June/early July and planning on a minimum of one month looking for work, although I'm hoping it won't take that long. I understand that's an expensive time to be travelling around and what the weather will be like then. Anything else I should be taking into consideration?

[Ya-ta Boy]

I'd say choose the part of the country you want to live in and stay in that area. There are lots of jobs all over. Public transportation here is excellent. If you don't know where you want to end up, consider staying in Daejon because it is more centrally located and you can save a little time travelling to different parts of the country.

The first thing you'll want to do is buy an umbrella. You'll be arriving during the rainy season. Pack your deodorant...right after the rainy season is the hot part of the summer.

I don't know how much you'll be bringing, but if you stay in a goshiwon (a low-price live-in study hall kind of place), you can just leave your luggage there and not have to retrieve it.

A cell phone is not necessary. Put your e-mail address in your resume and the phone number of the goshiwon (if you go that route) and check your e-mail everyday. PC bahngs are EVERYWHERE, so checking e-mail is easy.

[ella]

I'm hoping for a coast, but that could be Busan, Kangung - anywhere. I figured Seoul would be the best hub because I could get to anywhere from there. Would Daejon be better?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[ella]

I just thought of another question: when I'm offered a contract, will I be able to take it home and think about it over night (so I can ask you guys questions about it) or no?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Ya-ta Boy]

Since you want a coastal location, I'd go with Busan. Very likely you won't have to leave the city for interviews. If you do, you should have no trouble getting to other locations. (And you'll save yourself money and travel time.)

[ella]

Yu_Bum_suk - I know they'll email you the contract if you're overseas, but will they email it before you even interview with them if you're already in Korea?

[Hotpants]

If you're keen on coast, start up in Busan. I think you should just limit yourself to one place if you're new to Korea. There should be plenty of jobs going in Busan. Later you can move.

As for the advice about staying amongst the hooker area, you might not want to do that if you are female. 140,000 per week is also expensive. If you're on a budget, you'd be better off starting out in a goshiwon (study dorm - some rooms shared, others single occupancy). If you can find someone who speaks Korean, you'd do well to look at www.gosi1.net in advance - has a list of goshiwons all over the country with pictures and prices. Although you could probably find one upon arrival at Busan tourist office in the station. The goshiwons are also much safer and better quality than most yeogwans. You will get all main facilities such as bed, tv, internet, drinking water, cooking facilities, and even free rice, soap, toothpaste, shampoo and washing machine access. Living in a goshiwon is not ideal longterm because students are up making a noise all night, but it's MUCH better than a yeogwan whether long or short term.

I wouldn't worry too much whether you get a contract in or out of country. Most important is that you see a contract before you sign it. Also, a contract without seeing a school or speaking with current teachers at the school has little value in terms of sussing out whether it's a decent school or not.

A month is a reasonable timespan if you're counting on working in a hogwan. But, if you want something 'better,' the coming fall seems to have better jobs coming up. Budget yourself for at least 3 months.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[ella]

I'll try to find someone who can read that website for me, thanks, Hotpants. If 140,000 is expensive, what would be more a moderate price for a weekly rate? I'm looking at the pictures; are these single rooms or shared? Would luggage left in a shared room be safe?

[spliff]