Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Joce]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here so bear with me....I have a contract for a school in Cheonju. I kinda had my heart set on going to Pusan or Seoul because I'm more a big city girl and want to be surrounded with things to do and lots of other foreign English teachers. I'm wondering what any of you guys who are working in Cheonju think of it. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

[wylde]

i think being in korea you really should want to be around koreans..

i am a small town lad... the big city can be a little polluted and busy for me


edit to add: my town has about 200,000 people and it is not really that big but, it does have all the features of a big city with better scenery, nicer people, movie cinemas, department stores, train station, bus station and much, much, much, much less traffic.... in gwang ju once it took 1 hour and 30 mintues to go from the bus terminal to chonnam uni.. like 4 miles.. screw that me thinks

[kangnam mafioso]

big city. seriously.

seoul or pusan is the only way to go (for me).

[peppermint]

I've done both and returned happily to the smaller city. The commute in Seoul nearly killed me. ( a half hour each way when the first class is at 6:30am and the last ends at 9:40pm) I find my students are friendlier, things are more conveniently located and it's easier to travel. A lot depends on the size of the city, and your location in it.

Are you coming to Cheong ju or Jeon Ju? (usually not anglicized as Cheon ju)

[whatthefunk]

There is only one city worth considering. Its name is Pohang. Consider yourself enlightened.

[Patong Dong]

I lived in Jeonju five years ago when I first arrived and although it isn't going to blow you away it is big enough and has enough to do that coupled with it presumably being your first time in Korea you should enjoy it. It is also pretty easy to get on a bus and find yourself out in nature or at some mountain temple, something that is a little more difficult in the Seoul megalopolis.

[tomato]

Hello, Joce!

I'm not sure you and I are talking about the same city, but just in case you're talking about Cheongju in the province of Cheongbuk, here is my two cents.

I'm not the ideal person to answer your question, because I don't hang around with other wegookin's very much.
I have been told, however, that there is a wegookin hangout somewhere in Cheongju.

I've been in Cheongju since September, and I like it.
I wouldn't call it a small town; it has a population of a half million.
I concur with Patong Dong, however. I live out in the boonies, where I sometimes take a walk in the country.
I don't have trouble commuting to the city, though.

Cheongju considers itself an Athenian paradise.
It has four universities, but I haven't gotten around to checking them out.
It has two very good city libraries, but I haven't gotten around to checking them out either.
It has a classical radio station and one or two popular radio stations.

The city abounds with plays, concerts, and movies, and you will see advertising posters everywhere you look.
There is a foreign language school which offers Korean class for wegookin's. The classes are held in the morning, when most wegook teachers aren't busy.

I have been interested in Korean sign language for a long time, but this is the only city where I could attend class at a time when I wasn't busy.
The association for the deaf put on their annual program.
I was actually able to communicate a few sentences to a few Korean deaf-mutes.

Regarding Western food, I have found a McDonald's, a Subway, 2 Dunkin Donuts, and 2 Lotterias (I'm not sure, but I think that's an Australian chain.) I haven't found a Burger King, but that doesn't mean there isn't one.

Incidentally, Cheongju takes pride in its foliage-covered entranceway:



Is your school in Bun Pyeong Dong?
If it is, it is near my school, and I will be glad to check at the place after work.

[sistersarah]

i think a small city isn't a bad choice if it's your first time to korea. i lived in icheon, kyunggi-do, for 4 months when i first got here, and i liked it. the foreign community was really close-knit (at the time), you could walk everywhere, mountains to hike. you never get in "walking jams" like you do in seoul. i kinda miss it actually, now that i've seen "the big city".

[Yesterday]

Just had to have my say - BEWARE of Pohang (from the script above)

Cheongju is a beautiful city - with the best city planning of any city in korea - not too small but not exactly large and overcrowded - the government really put a lot of planning into making this city beautiful, peaceful and a nice place to live.

But never got to Pohang - its dangerous.....

[whatthefunk]

[Zed]

Was it a unanimous vote by the sole member?

[Zed]

Really the question can only be answered depending on your personality and interests. Some are going to hate the bustle and pushiness of the big city. Some will like the vibrancy, opportunities and more multicultural aspects. Some are going to dislike the seeming lack of things to do, the lack of western ammenities and the staring of the smaller places. Some are going to like the quiter pace and proximity to natural surroundings and, in some ways, more general hospitible nature of the people there. It depends on you.

[ryleeys]

[Zed]

I know that bus route and several others equidistant from Seoul and, in my opinion, it's a pain in the glutious to have to spend that amount of time getting in and out of Seoul to hook up with people.

[Joce]

Hey everyone!

Thank you so much for everyone who took the time to write out replies. I decided to turn down the contract, not because I'm sure I don't want to go there, but because I"m not sure exactly what I want, and need to do a bit more research before I commit myself for so long. Thanks again

Joce