Korean Job Discussion Forums

[quietpatches]

Hi, you guys.
I recently just accepted a job offer from Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province and I wanted to see more information on the town, but I can't find any. I am just wondering if any of you are there or know much about it.
The only info that I could find was that it is an hour away from Seoul and that it is close to the mountains. Thats about it. It would be great it you guys can give me any info.

[dean_burrito]

I lived there for a year. What school will you be working in?
The good thing about Gwangju is that you will definitely explore Korea. In Seoul it's quite easy to go long periods of time with out leaving the city. Gwangju on the other hand you will spend a lot of weekends taking road trips and trying new things.. There's not many foreigners in the city, I only know of 10 while I lived there. But I met some good people and got to know some Koreans very well.

Here are some random off the top of my head about Gwangju.
There's a nice enough park around the river with bike or jogging trails. Some hidden trails through the mountains as well. There's a bowling alley. WaBar is some other foreigners and some English speaking Koreans will hang out. There is a great Thai restaurant and fairly fun Thai Karaoke bar. And I'm sorry to say but that is about it.

It's about an hour and a half to anywhere in Seoul you would want to hang out. It's also about a half hour from Bundang. No Subway line though. So you'll have to learn the busses. I still remember most of them so if you have trouble when you get there ask me later. I'm sure someone will help you.

Oh yeah, they don't see a lot of foreigners so expect to hear "service" quite often which means the business is giving you something for free.

[quietpatches]

[dean_burrito]

You'll actually be living outside of Gwangju. Toechon, while technically part of Gwangju, is separated from the rest of the city. It is mainly rural, yet very scenic, and is mostly known for a Tomato Festival they have one a year which is actually pretty fun.
But let me give you some advice. You aren't going to find much in the way of western convenience or find many people that speak English. Make life easier on yourself and learn to read Korean before you get there. It's pretty simple and will help you read the bus charts as they don't also write them in English out there. You can do that here, www.catcode.com.
Bring some books because you are likely to get bored out there but if you like being outdoors there is much more hiking in Toechon than in Gwangju and I think it is about 30 minutes closer to Seoul.

[maximmm]

Ah, Gwangju, Gyonggi Do. It's not quite Seoul, is it now?
If you've already signed up though, it's not such a horrid place to be in.
You'll definitely have the incentive to learn Korean there.
Most foreigners hang out in the downtown area. Otherwise, Bundang is where people usually go... places like Samsung Plaza among others.

Good luck.

[valkerie]

Hi,

Someone told me about your post. I actually live in this village and work at the middle school.

I think u can't send PMs (not sure if u can read them, I sent one to test it). Let me know here if you can read my private message and I will send you my email.

Or post yours here and then delete the post when I have it.

I can tell u stuff (and help u when u get here, I know a fair amount of people too so you will have some English speakers around).

The advise to learn to read Korean is excellent.

Bye for now

[quietpatches]