Korean Job Discussion Forums

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

Andong City
Gunwi Gun
Uiseong Gun
Yecheon Gun
Bonghwa Gun

I have been working with a recruiter to accept a public school position. I have stressed that I only want to work for a single school. The recruiter tells me I have a choice of the above cities to pick from. I understand they are all small fairly remote cites in South or Central East.

From the web sites I have seen Bonghwa Gun looks nice. Anyone have any experiences or words of wisdom?

Take care

alabamaman · Joined: 25 Apr 2006

Hit him square in the buttocks.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Anything with Gun behind the town name is damn small. I mean you are going to be bored. You will also most likely be teaching at more than one school (less lesson plans though). From the people I know,very few renew their contracts if they work in a Gun.

The most common complaints are that there is very little to do. It is a long time to get to any major city (4 -5 hours). They don't have a lot of privacy and when they go out to drink they are often subtley reminded that they were "seen". NO AVAILABLE WOMEN. Because it is a small town the ones that aren't already hitched would not want to risk embarassing their family by being with a foreigner. The list goes on..

If you want to experience Korea, a Gun is not for you.

That's just my two cents.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 12:27 am Post subject:

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

Good to know Kim. I did not know the meaning of �Gun�. I have made it clear to the recruiter, and I will make it clear to the school board before I arrive in Korea that I am a one school only teacher. If they try and change it up once I arrive and it does not suit me to travel to more than one school�.I will walk.

I grew up in Chicago and have been living in Hat Yai (a medium size city) or Bangkok for about 4 years. I am kind of in the mood for some peace and quiet. Humm at least I hope so. I only plan on staying one year�..coming back to the beaches in Thailand, and then teaching again a year latter.

Thanks for the info�. More welcome!

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

I always feel that anything outside of Seoul or Busan is TOO quiet here. I need to feel I have more opportunities open to me. Be careful what you wish for, and speak to your recruiter with all Guns blazing...

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

Wait��. I need to take a knee after that pun�.. Wait� ok�ok... I�m ok.

�The Andong area has been known for its traditional culture since the Shilla Dynasty (668-935).� Every website I look at about Andong City harps about the traditional culture and how conservative it is (Andong is my leading choice for the moment because it is the largest and sits on a rail line). Does this mean they hate foreigners and BBQ dogs in the street in front of god and everybody. Or does it mean I can expect the kids in school to be well behaved and excited about learning English from a foreigner?

I have been to the remote areas of Thailand, I am not so worried about general gawking. What is it like for you VanIslander?

Wishmaster · Joined: 06 Feb 2003

Again, I've said it before and I've lived in hick town Korea, it is very difficult. Yes, living in the country back home(done that too) or in a place like Thailand might be nice...but you have to remember: this is Korea. It is quite different. If you can handle the isolation and are a bit solitary in nature...then you can probably handle it. If you are looking to score with chicks, small town Korean ain't the place because gossip lives endlessly there. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Of course, I lifted a hell of a lot of weights and read a lot...kinda like prison. That might tell you a bit about the social conveniences of small town ROK.

Maxboss · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Seoul

Be VERY careful about throwing that dart. Should it land in North Korea a gun might look very attractive

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

I think I am sufficiently scared away from the �Guns� and will look at the larger Andong City. Andong City has a population of around 200,000. It seems to be a commercial center in an agricultural area. I am thinking a Korean version of Omaha, Nebraska USA.

I know nothing about the place except for the short blurbs I can find on web sites. Would I be unreasonable to expect a nice health club nearby and internet access available in my apartment? If you have not been you may not know�. I just mean from your experience in Korea what do you think.

I don�t mind a year of relative solitary. I think I would just get on a motorbike a explore the country and mountain roads if I am board. I am trying to get a sense if provincial Korea is �backward�. I mean is it like Korean version of the movie Deliverance (a movie reference lost on younger �Davesters�)? Or are people as in Thailand generally friendly and easy going.

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I think you can rest assured that you will have a very high speed internet connection available.

sentient_squirrel · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

Maxboss that's a really obselete and lazy comment there dude, gotta say. If you think about it, North Korea is probably one of the safest places in the world. They're not gonna bomb themselves, are they? And the physical countryside is completely stunning while the people (the ones that will talk to you) are just lovely.

Fllick thru http://www.koryogroup.com/tips/index.html for more info.

That's all from me. Think I'll pop down the road for galbi and beer.

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

My two cents?

Small town Korea can be very rewarding IF you have a basic grasp of the language and Hangul. If you are new to Korea and have little or no understanding then it is hell on earth!