Korean Job Discussion Forums

Kraft Dinner · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Location: Ottawa,ON

Hey,

Just hooked up to this page recently. I am currently trying to navigate the various job offers from Korea. My hope, after nominal research, was to live in the south of the South, e.g., Busan, Ulsan, Masan etc.. I have a friend living for the last 5 years in Seoul who is counseling me to do otherwise and stick to Seoul. Any thoughts?

Specifically, I am close to signing a contract in Masan. Seems like a big enough city and from the few pictures I have seen, seems like a nice place. Anyone taught there? or visited there? What about Busan or Ulsan?

Sorry if this is not the appropriate place for posting this. Would appreciate any advice or info.

Thanks!

hojucandy · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Location: In a better place

people are often seoul-centric... seoul is fun but there are plenty of other good places to live

busan is great. i just moved there.

masan is a good place. if yu want - i can put yu in touch with a friend there who can tell yu more about it. PM me....

ulsan is a dirty polluted industrial town. avoid it....

Jack Bauer · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:15 am Post subject:

Jack Bauer says that he has taught in Busan, Daegu, just outside of Seoul, and is now accepting a uni position in Cheonan. Jack thinks that any place is what you make of it, so long as you aren't exiled to somewhere with a population of 300,000 or less.

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 10:55 am Post subject:

I love Gyeongsangnam province and highly recommend Geoje Island, Tongyeong and of course Busan! But... Masan and Ulsan are not exactly pretty cities, the former lacks character and the latter stinks, literally. They are the two least attractive cities in the province, IMHO. Even Changwon and Jinhae are better.

That said, you could scoot over to the island from Masan on the weekends, or to Busan (if you don't work Saturdays). But remember, Masan won't satisfy a desire to hang out on the beach. (Choose one of the highlighted places above for that.)

Good luck, whatever.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Seoul is by far the greatest and most (not all as evidenced by the above posts) of us who have lived outside of Seoul and in Seoul prefer Seoul.

However, if you like nature (or nature-light, as you'll find in Korea) clean air, and yokels you might like it outside of Seoul.

VanIslander · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:40 pm Post subject:

Not to mention if you want to avoid going underground regularly to get around in a subway. I'm amazed when big city folk think it's no big deal to travel 30 minutes by subway, EACH WAY. That's an hour of my day I wouldn't want to waste.

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

I would agree fully with hojucandy on this one. Seoul is a happening place! when I first crossed the puddle 7 years ago I was thinking "south". Not a bad thought, really. But, I've been in Seoul for the past 6 1/2 years and it is my drug of choice! The subway here is AMAZING!! As someone mentioned, it's what you make of it. Just sift through the information, know your own heart and make a choice.

Do keep in mind, having a friend who is already there does probably make a difference. Myself, I probably wouldn't live outside of Seoul-Gyonggi-do. Though, Busan may be a tad enticing.

All the best & welcome!

Harpeau

hojucandy · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Location: In a better place

bignate · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Location: Hell's Ditch

Flex Bulkchest · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2004 7:52 pm Post subject:

that's just it, there's no particular answer, you're going to have a different experience, it all just depends on what you're looking for. i've spent other parts of my life living in mega cities in north america and europe, so for me these parts of korea are perfect. my apt. is a 30 second walk from the sea etc...

personally, i think you're better off considering other facets of the job, not just location.

what do you guys think? would you take a great job (like a uni job) in a smaller part of korea over a hagwon job in seoul?

Kraft Dinner · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Location: Ottawa,ON

Thank-you to everyone who responded to my questions on locations in Korea. This information is invaluable for someone stuck in Ottawa with only recruiters pleadings and fear-mongering, and a copy of "Korea: Yours to Discover" from Chapters.

Looks like I will take some of the later people's advice and stick with Seoul and decide from there where I would like to investigate, after solidifying a contract. Yes I would like to have access to the coast, nature etc. , but better that I do so on the weekend, maybe, for now.

Let me know if anyone needs anything from Canada, Ottawa specifically; news, maple syrup, ice wine, t-shirts, beer....

Thanks again - would like to hook up with some people soon after I arrive, maybe I will send a shout out here when I get settled.

Thanks once again!

royjones · Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Location: post count: 512

marista99 · Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Location: Incheon

But, not everyone likes the big city. I know people who live in NYC, love it, think it's the center of the universe and would never leave. I also know people who wouldn't touch NYC with a ten foot pole.

On the other hand...if you don't like dense, polluted, high-rise city living, my impression is that most of Korea is not for you anyway.

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2004 7:00 am Post subject:

hojucandy · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Location: In a better place

i am just back from an evening watching live music in busan. this town ROCKS!! i have NEVER seen anything as good in seoul. so glad i left there!!