Korean Job Discussion Forums

orangepostit · Joined: 30 Nov 2008

So perhaps this question has been answered before. But when I look up something like "rural", I usually find a bunch of posts relating to the rural life.

Perhaps there is no answer. It might differ among different provinces and situations. But are there any rules for what is considered rural and thus gets you extra rural pay?

Like, has anyone ever been placed in a city of 100 000 or higher and had it be rural? 50 000?

Thanks! Smile

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:02 am Post subject:

It's what ever each province says it is and there�s no common, logical definition.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

kabrams · Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Location: your Dad's house

andrewchon · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:29 am Post subject:

If you're wondering which school is 'rural' and offers extra money and vacation, then there is no easy way to find out.
These schools are called 'designated rural' schools. Usually in rural areas but also in economically depressed urban areas as well. For a school to be 'designated rural' it apples to the President's program of 'counter-hagwon measures'.
It gets funding to provide hagwon-activities to students who can't afford to go to hagwon e.g. traditional music and dance, violin, piano, English etc.
There are 800 or so of these schools in Korea. So, not all small schools out in the woop-woop are 'rural'. If you want to know whether the school on offer is one, you ask the recruiter.

cruisemonkey · Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 12:33 pm Post subject:

There you go (from 'andrewchon'). I've heard about where a middle school and hign school (both with foreign teachers) were literally next door to each other - this is quite common in Korea - and one was designated 'rural', the other was not.

UrbanStyle · Joined: 23 Jul 2009

Rural = anywhere outside of greater seoul and busan = kinda boring

orangepostit · Joined: 30 Nov 2008

I must admit that when posting this I was thinking "how can I get rural pay while being the least rural I can possibly be"

I figured it depended on different provinces, circumstances, schools, ect

Still thanks for the info, if anyone knows specifics about certain provinces that'd be cool. If not I guess the answer is that there's no clear answer. Again, sort of what I was expecting so no biggie.

andrewchon · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:47 pm Post subject:

If you have any inkling of reservation with rural location then don't go there.
Extra pay and other perks just will not compensate for the fun you're missing out.
I chose rural because I wanted to try living in a place where you can park you car and leave the key in the ignition.
I may not be able to live in cities ever again.