Korean Job Discussion Forums

eac02 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008

I arrived yesterday assuming I would be taken straight to orientation but instead was picked up by my co-teacher and VP. They tell me I will be going to orientation next week. My permanent housing is not ready so I am staying in a very very small room with no furniture or bed and am sleeping on the floor.
My co- teacher, VP, and head administrator all seem very nice, and my co- teacher is taking me to see the school and meet the principal today.

The thing is, I was looking forward to going to orientation first so I would get a chance to meet people and make connections. Now I'm stuck in Gangseo without a clue. Sad

Can anyone please tell me about Gangseo, what kind of things there are to do around here? Please can anyone help out a little!!

Jandar · Joined: 11 Jun 2008

First I would refuse to visit the school until proper accomodations are provided. Sleeping on the floor is unacceptable.

My school put me up in a motel for the first week while we waited for the apartment. I had no problem with that there was a bed and a fridge.

You should at least have a bed.

eac02 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008

really, you'd demand a hotel? I have a fridge, stove, washing machine, etc, just no bed. Maybe I'll mention to my CT that my back is a little sore after sleeping on the floor (they did provide me with bedding).

Any advice on Gangseo? I'm going exploring today but if anyone has some info to share I'd love to hear it.

Also I believe she said the school is called something like the airport school because it is near where the old airport is. Does anyone know anything about this?

Binch Lover · Joined: 25 Jul 2005

I assume they gave you a small soft bedding to sleep on. That's what a lot of Koreans sleep on every day, so they may not realise that it's not suitable. I'd say roll with it if you can as long as it's only for a week and you're sure you'll be getting a bed and a proper apartment as soon as you get back from orientation.

As for Gangseo, I've never lived there but from your post, I assume you're near Gimpo Airport. That means you're probably near line 5 (the purple line). If you have some spare time, find out where the closest subway station is and ask on this board again about a more specific area. I'm sure someone can give you some info.

bangbayed · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Location: Seoul

My first year in Korea I slept on the floor, it's not that bad.

Sounds like you're near Kimpo airport, and there is indeed a high school named Airport High School. Don't know the area too well, but you're probably near the no.5 subway line. You're not that far from Hongdae and Shinchon, good places for a drink or dinner or clubbing there.

shaunew · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Location: Calgary

I live in Gangseo gu. You are close to Hongdea, not that far from Iteawon. Nothing really exciting around here, a park and Mokdong and the department store thats all. If you need any help pm me and I can out the best I can.

poet13 · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:58 pm Post subject:

lol. I feel your confusion. Sorry OP, but the bedding is Korean style. I like it, but I know many who don't.

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

You could always go to the airport and watch the planes take-off and land!
Those little thrills, you've got to enjoy them while you can! Very Happy

PigeonFart · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

Have a look at what's in your area....
http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=37.558544&lon=126.8549144&z=15&l=0&m=a&v=2

Definitely check out hongdae this Friday...its the famous 'Club Night' which comes only once a month. Gangseo-gu is very near hongdae. Only about 7 or 8,000 won taxi ride, or quick bus/subway ride.

Hobophobic · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject:

I lived in Gangseogu for a couple of years (Hwagokdong)...

I live in Sinjeongnegorie a couple of stops away now...there isn't much around...a few bars around Balsan and Hwagok, but nothing great...there used to be a German Draft bar there which was cool though...

There's an Emart and a couple of other dept stores near by you also...you could as another poster said be quickly in Mokdong...Omokgyo...Hongdae or Itaewon...

If you need any help I am still on holidays until Monday...

Jandar · Joined: 11 Jun 2008

Yep sleep on the floor.

Take a look around at all these stooped over old ladies.

That what happens when sleeping on hte floor.

Scoliosis is rampant it Korea.

It's your back.

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

eac02 · Joined: 23 Jan 2008

The place is only temporary but I think I will have a talk with the man in charge tomorrow just to make sure the permanent housing isn't basically the same.

I felt a little better about the bedding situation today when I visited the school and was shown a room where the female teachers can go and rest if they are not feeling well; they are supplied them with the same bedding I have. I don't really mind sleeping on the floor that much plus I've been promised a bed in my permanent housing.

I'm teaching at Gonghang Middle School if that means anything to anyone. I'd love to know if you've heard anything about it.

Orientation really is next week. There are 2 weeks of it this year so some people are at it now though. The temp housing sucks because (aside from being super small) I have to move 3 times in like 3 weeks- once into temp housing (can't unpack), then to orientation, then to permanent housing. Oh well Rolling Eyes

I'm going to go explore some more

bangbayed · Joined: 01 Dec 2005 Location: Seoul

justaguy · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Location: seoul

Gangseo gu is a rather big area streaching from the mouth of the Anyang river where it meets the Han river, west out to Gimpo Airport. Your area has a Home plus and an E-mart for grocery needs along with many smaller stores.

On the main street (the 6-8 lane one) you can find an Outback Steakhouse, and also a Bennigans. There is a decent Thai place across from the Outback although it's a little expensive.

On that same street between the Bennigans and the Outback there is the 88 gymnasium (a large white building with the number 88 on it with some bowling pins). The gym has everything you might want, bowling alley, pool, gym etc.

You live near the Han River park which is a great place to walk, run, bike. It's free and very nice but crowded on weekends and holidays.

The eastern edge of Gangseo gu runs along the Anyang river down to the Han River. There is the Mok Dong Ice Rink. There are many sporting events there, and it's a good place to go ice skating as well.

I reccommend learning the bus routes. Subway service isn't easlily accessable in most of Gangseo gu, but there are buses going almost everywhere in town.

The people for the most part are pretty nice, and you won't see many foreigners in this part of town.

Hope this helps.