Korean Job Discussion Forums

[missjd]

I just got a job offer from what seems a reputable high school in Bucheon. The current English ALT has worked there for five years and the teachers seemed very nice during the interview and I think my recruiter has my interests at heart despite the giant commission she'll probably make.

My issue is, from what I have read and seen, Bucheon seems like a dreary suburb and I don't think I want to live there. Some friends have advised me to hold off until I find something I really like, while others who have worked for JET and were placed in rural areas say it doesn't really matter where I live because South Korea is small and I'll travel, make friends etc.

I'd really like to live in Seoul proper but a my recruiter and another I spoke to suggested against this since SMOE received many apps this year and the selection will be tough and I have 1 year full-time teaching experience in multiple subjects and SMOE gives priority to teachers with one year of single subject experience. What's more, the coastal cities I'd like to live in only have hagwon positions available and I'd like to teach at a public school for obvious reasons.

So my question is, what should I do?

[DorkothyParker]

Have you even tried to do any research on your own? Eatyourkimchi.com is a great blog by a Canadian couple living and teaching in Bucheon. It's helpful.

Depending on where you're from, Bucheon may seem small. Personally, I think it looks cozy. It depends on the person, though. It has a pretty decent foreigner population from what I've seen and it's not too far from Seoul. It's not a hick town, at least.

What do you want to do? You can wait and reapply for public schools in the Spring and get certs in the mean. Or, you can commit to a year in Bucheon and try for somewhere bigger once you have yet even more experience. Write a list describing your ideal school/situation. Scale the list from what you absolutely must have and what you are willing to budge on. It's really quite simple.

[missjd]

Yes, I've actually done a lot of research. I've saw that site and it is great but it's one of the only ones that has anything positive to say about Bucheon. And more so than being positive, it's more of a documentary of the couples' travels and experiences, not a description of the city itself. My concern is that nearly all responses on Dave's have been negative in nature.

I'm afraid it's a little more complicated than that. I must leave in mid-late August as I'm starting grad school exactly a year after that. So there's a definite time limit I'm working with.

I'm just trying to weigh the odds of taking this good position and not being in an ideal location vs. waiting for a better placement but risking not getting one that fits my time frame.

Thanks for the reply though.

[AgentM]

[Otherside]

Seriously, just google Bucheon.

Bucheon has the 2nd highest population density of any city in Korea, a 15,000people/km2, so not exactly dreary suburban material. Also, you are smack bang between the Biggest and Third Biggest cities in Korea, so lots of things are a short distance away.

Getting a public school position in Gyeonggi is often superior to one in Seoul. This is because you will know your location. (i.e. you know the school, it's history, it's location and probably what the apartment is like etc), With SMOE it's a crap-shoot.

Atleast now you know that you are 20mins from Yongsan, 40mins from Hongdae (just guessing here) and x mins from wherever else you want to be. If you did manage to get in with SMOE, you could find yourself at the far NorthEast corner of Seoul, a good 75mins from the places you want to go to, living in a crummy apartment and earning less than you would with GEPIK (VERY TRUE for the lower-levels)

[missjd]

Thanks for your input everyone. I'm going to take the position. It works out with my time frame and is not far from some really cool places. I appreciate your help!