Korean Job Discussion Forums

[AllOneK]

I was told by one recruiter for the Herald Schools that if I have respiratory problems aggravated by air pollution I should not even consider living or working anywhere in S. Korea, Japan and most of China - except perhaps the south east coast of South Korea.

I've just turned down a job in the oldest part of Seoul dfue to pollution. I've been offered jobs outside Seoul - but everything I read on this forum tells me I want to be in Seoul - so I need to know how bad the air pollution really is. Compared to say: Montreal, Toronto, London (England), Budapest...

I had problems my last year in Budapest, but I think that was from being
around such heavy smokers combined with a move to what turned out to be a major short cut during rush hour.

I am starting to think I should just forget S. Korea and go to Europe (have U.K. passport, CELTA, B.A. 5 years exp.) ) and run from office to office and spend a chunk of my earnings on accommodation.

But I want to save some money to buy some Technology and S. Korea seems the place to do it.

[mithridates]

Technology, nice air and close to Seoul? Sounds like you should be in Daejeon. Nice air, big enough city, close to Seoul, centre of the semiconductor industry, aerospace agency's located there, just started their subway service...go there.

[poker player]

Yes I have respiratory problems so I work at a uni in the country with no industry around and normal traffic but even here I have had the odd problem especially around yellow dust time. Every time I go into Seoul I need to leave after a couple of days because I start coughing and all those other nasty things that go along with this problem. Also, you will need to stay out of most bars unless they are well ventilated because of the smokers. I was coughing a lot when I left Korea in July and after about 3-4 days in Canada no more cough or wheezing. I went to a doc just after I got back and then again just before I left. When he noted the difference in my lungs in those 6 weeks he basically said I was nuts to return so this is my last semester here. Now to be fair, I am over 50 so maybe you younger studs can handle the pollution but other than this problem I am in good health.
So, if you can find a job outside of Seoul, you will probably be OK but be warned, pollution is everywhere here but Seoul is terrible. Mith's advice is on the money I think about Daejeon.

[mithridates]

Thanks. One other point you might want to keep in mind is your apartment when you get here (talking to the op now). My brother is a botanist and works in a lab splicing plant genes and whatnot, and as a result of that and just his love for plants, his apartment in Canada is full of plants. They're everywhere, and the moment you step in there's a perceptible difference between there and the outside air. I used to go in there just to relax and breathe the oxygen it was so nice. That required a sun lamp (a really big one hanging from the ceiling but you could probably get a smaller one) but it was worth it.
Since everybody spends at least ten to fourteen hours a day in their own house, maybe you could choose Daejeon but also really check into the apartment before you arrive, and make sure that you'll have a place that you'd be able to fix up like that. Get a sun lamp and a million plants and that should improve things immensely. Then you can take pictures of your jungly apartment too, put them up on your Cyworld and get a million friends.

[michinkorea]

I have Asthma and just arrived in Seoul a week ago. I'm from Hamilton Canada and have been to Toronto quite a bit, as well as Montreal and I think Seoul is comperable to these, not notably dirtier anyways. I'm still not sure what part of Seoul I'm in, and I'm right near a little river and a park (not the big river) and I think it's great. Not a bit of wheezing or coughing so far. I had a bad summer at home this year with the intense heat and humidity, but I'm perfectly fine here. I do use a steroid puffer about every other day (doc said to use it every day, but i sometimes forget) so take that into consideration. I was on the puffer at home and had some problems, but no problems here.

[Novernae]

I was in the North-East of Seoul last year, and I found it pretty bad pollution-wise (I have allergies and breathing problems). I would go out and exercise, come back, and be sick by nightfall lasting a week or two. Then I'd get better, do it again, and be sick again. Took a few times to figure out what it was. This time we decided to come to Ilsan, and the air quality is incomparable. We drove through Seoul a couple of weeks ago and it was like night and day.... We were driving along the river and you couldn't see the other side of the river. I'd say look for a place outside of Seoul, if possible close to the ocean, and take side trips to Seoul to get your fix.

Another point though, what kind of technology do you want to buy? Don't base your decision to come here based on the idea that you'll get great deals on incredible stuff. The good stuff is just as, if not more, expensive than everywhere else....

[Snowmeow]

[quote="AllOneK"]I was told by one recruiter for the Herald Schools that if I have respiratory problems aggravated by air pollution I should not even consider living or working anywhere in S. Korea, Japan and most of China - except perhaps the south east coast of South Korea.
quote]

The Southeast may not be a good place for you either. In Busan the air smells awful at times.

[willardmusa]

..

[VanIslander]

Whenever I get within two hours of Seoul I feel it in my chest. Ugh. I just came back from a two-day trip up there, gladly back to the fresh air southeast.