Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pangaea]

I'm 31 and thinking about coming back to Korea to teach. I realize this may be a difficult question to answer, but are there any areas I can go where there is a higher concentration of "older" people? I also want to take Korean language classes at a University. I am thinking Seoul might be my best bet but I'm open to other larger size cities where I can take language classes.

[hugekebab]

[wesharris]

That's a rather jaunted view of things, I'm in the country, enjoy it, and I'll be purchasing a car soon to go to town when ever I'd like.
_+_
Wes

[michaelambling]

[moosehead]

I'm really surprised at the generalizations being made - having lived in both Seoul (now) and smaller areas of K, plus having traveled around the country quite a bit, and also having worked a number of camp jobs which tend to have teachers from all over, I have to say there is no specific place that's going to be more suitable than another for you OP.

Of course Seoul has the largest population so just by default you'll find a higher number of older teachers here but at the same time, univ positions are plentiful outside of Seoul and there are older people working there - if anything Seoul attracts more younger folks who come for the partying.

as for making friends - I've made K friends both here in Seoul and outside in the provinces where there were fewer foreigners around. again - it's just up to you and how interested you are in meeting people.

if you think positive you will make friends. if you are really interested in learning K, yes, you might need to focus on where you can take classes. again, when I lived in the provinces the classes were too far away for me to attend, so that might be a factor but it's going to be hard to negotiate that aspect with a job offer, I think, and if you're dealing w/a hagwon they might not even be that honest about it.

again, you can work it out on your own if you just think positive and look on the side of what can be done rather than what can't.

good luck either way.

[DCJames]

Seoul is the only answer. Don't listen to people who defend the smaller towns. There's NOTHING to do in these small towns, NOTHING.

[cck3000]

I think you must honestly define what "small" means. I live in a city thats considered small, and it has 300,000 people. It looks just like any other city in Korea. I would argue that I have had a much better experience because the expat community isnt that large and the Korean people have taken a liken to me. It may also have to do with the way I carry myself professionally and try my best to observe the culture around me. And Im a big black male that according to the people who post on here, I should be having a extremely bad experience.

Dont believe the hype....

[DCJames]

Just wait a few months..