Korean Job Discussion Forums

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

Hi there,

I'm just curious as to what other schools do for their picnics, and what the day is like in general. i.e a fun-filled outing for students and staff alike, or a pointless waste of time that drags on interminably.

My girls' middle school went to an art gallery, (but I didn't go, because of prior plans, was Chuseok week, etc).
I found out today that my boys' school is having their 'picnic' on Friday and we are going to a nuclear power plant. (I may have the chance to opt out of it though, not too clear on that point yet).

So, what are your experiences?

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I never go.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

I always go. I have seen Gong Ju, Gyeong Ju, tons of stuff in Seoul and around my school, all free with no hassle of transportation or anything like that. Also, the kids like when I go too.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I am sure the students will like it if I go. It is just that I teach at 7 schools I have a lot of half days at one school and then a half day at another. Any time something interesting comes up it's a two day trip. To be brutally honest though I like staying home and spending quality time with my dog and sleeping in.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

Well, I came to experience Korea and add another language to my repetoire. These trips help me. I can fully understand how many people would rather not go though, even if they had to stay at the school for the time.

One thing, the trips have tended to be optional in almost all cases I have seen here on Dave's.

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

Not to sound condescending, because I don't mean it in that way . I have been lived in Korea for 5 years now. Been on countless hogwan picnics (not babysitting either, drinking strawberry wine with the directors etc.) I have seen so many temples and museums it has come to the point where nothing really is "new" to me anymore. The advantage of working at 7 schools is that you don't have to show up on picnic days or sports days etc.

However, If I was new to Korea I would definitely jump at the opprotunity to mingle with your students and experience the finer points of Korea.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

my picnics usually involve the korean teachers marking off numbers at the start and end of the day and then heading off or a 3-4 hour lunch.

riley · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: where creditors can find me

Sometimes I'd like to but then the thought of being stuck on a bus that always slams to a stop and accelerates hard, just makes me nauseous. Plus on the overnight trips, I'd miss my second job, which is too bad though, because the 6th graders just got back from Gyeongju which I've always wanted to see.

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

I got told on Monday that the 6th graders will be on a field trip "tour" for three days next week, (2 days of the 3 I work at that school).

Also, all grades will have a field trip to somewhere near Gyeongju, Pulguksa maybe, next Wednesday. I was asked if I wanted to go and was assured I'd be back by my usual finish time. I'll go, it'll be good for the kids to see me outside of the classroom.