Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jim_we]

When the loudest sound you usually hear at night are the frogs in the rice paddies surrounding your apartment. building.

[crash bang]

places like that actually exist in korea?

sigh

[Underwaterbob]

At one of my schools we recently had a cherry blossom festival. I walked in the parade with the kids. We circled the entire town in about an hour and a half (going slowly and actually doubling back at one point). My students and half the town brought me alcohol during the trip and I'm not entirely sure that a few of the students weren't a tad sloshed. They were certainly trying to sneak some makoli away from every huge pot of it set up on the side of the road. I had to take a late, local bus back to my hometown and the old ladies were all grins and giggles. Gave me a seat and some gum.

[jajdude]

Can't say I've lived in a really small town in Korea, but did for a bit in Taiwan years ago. A different scene altogether, so quiet, yet Taipei took an hour on bus.

In Korea I worked in a "countryside" town, yet just between Suwon and Anyang. You might have thought they were many hours from any bigger city. Strange places, these small, densely populated Asian countries. Yongin and Seongnam had the same vibe at times. Near big cities, yet with feeelings of countryside here and there.

[travel zen]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

- you buy three foot-long subs to take home everytime you pass by a Subway sandwich shop when you're in a big city.

- you never walk around in shorts because that's just not how teachers dress.

- you become the under-age enforcer at the bar.

- you can run a line of credit at the bar.

- students from other schools know your name.

- you end up acting as a tour guide for new Korean teachers.

[Froggy Parker]

People expect you to speak Korean rather than the opposite.

[merkurix]

- there are always seats on the bus, no one ever stands.

- the people in the bus pass around a huge jar of makkoli for everyone to take a swig.

-any shop sign, billboard, or advertisement is completely devoid of English words or alphabet.

-ajosshis have mustaches, harabojis have beards.

-all the children never fail to say hello to you.

-ajummas till the fields while babysitting. The baby is strapped to their back.

[Rae]

- When the ajummas are friendly.
- When you see the same old folks working the fields day and night.
- When you get random food offerings from kids when you're waiting for the bus.
- When going out at night requires a flashlight.

[Stormy]

[cdninkorea]

[nicholas_chiasson]

[Stormy]

[cdninkorea]

[Stormy]