Korean Job Discussion Forums

MarketFresh · Joined: 17 Feb 2010

anyone currently working there? wondering' bout the current situation there

air76 · Joined: 13 Nov 2007

We took some of our students there and it looks like hell to me...I talked to a couple of guys working there and they said that it was easy but there are like 100 foreigners or something crazy like that living there so people are clicky, and that there's NOTHING around there. You need to take a bus/taxi to go anywhere.

It would seriously be more like living in a really, really crappy Disneyland than living in another country. Then again, this might appeal to some.

I've heard that the best thing to do when you work there is to head to Gumcheon.

ChilgokBlackHole · Joined: 21 Nov 2009

Usually they kick it in Geumcheon, so I've been told.

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

I went there years ago with my wife while we were dating. Total disappointment, including the worst burger I've ever tasted in my life - sent that back for nachos (they also sucked).

The wife and I jumped the fence towards the back of their pathetic compound and we (I?) decided to pull an adam and eve and run around being silly in the surrounding woodlands. Fortunately, that (and the weather at the time) was enough to save the day from being a complete abortion.

Amethyst · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:39 pm Post subject:

Well I actually worked there a couple of years ago..It was my first job and I was clueless about Korea..but it wasnt horrible. I met alot of great people, made GREAT money, and still had 4 weeks of vacation..being that there are so many native teachers out there..it was a close knit community, which helped me learn more about Korea..like how to get around, what doctors to go to, and cool travel destinations..Honestly, I gained a wealth of knowledge because I had never been anywhere outside of the states...and EV kinda cushioned the blow of living in a foreign country..It is true though..living out there, you don't feel like you actually live in Korea..that can be good or bad depending on what you like..Paju is a very rural area..there is nothing out there, but EV provided shuttle buses to the nearest city (Ilsan)..which provided much needed relief from the rural quiet of Paju..but alas I hear that EV may have eliminated their shuttle bus service..which would kinda suck.. Sad

You can take buses to Ilsan, but they take like an hour or more..
As far as living at EV, it was ok..as a new teacher you get a dormsized apt, but the shower is nice.. Smile

At the time I worked there, we didnt have to pay utilities and we got free cable..YAY! But I hear things may have changed..
Depending on what department you work for..your work experience can differ from other people..What I could have done without, was working every weekend and holidays..and the huge class sizes(sometimes 50 students)..and ppl running up to me to talk in English..I was burnt out after a year.. Sad

But that was my experience..some ppl love it out there, and some don't..it depends on what YOU can tolerate..
Overall..I had some great times at EV..but I think it really had to do with the ppl I worked with..they made my experience memorable and positive.. Smile

Good luck with what you decide..take care.. Smile

MarketFresh · Joined: 17 Feb 2010

thanks guys....it's a different type of environment, i can see how some may like the setting (natural, mountains) and some may hate it (away from everything)...there are also a lot of them teachers there so that might be an issue, sure...the pay's good tho, and so is vacation time...wonderin how crazy it actually gets there...lol

Amethyst · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:27 pm Post subject:

Well from what I remember..Since we were so isolated..it can get a lil crazy out there..We used to love to throw all kinds of parties and get togethers..Plus, a few nights a week ppl play some kind of sport..So you can be as active in the community as you want..I was kind of a homebody..so I missed a few good parties.. Sad

But I still had a blast.. Smile

tomato · Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:11 am Post subject:

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

I guess it's better to revive an old thread than to start a new one, so here goes...

Does anyone currently at Paju EV know what the job benefits are there?

How close is the EV to a real town? Can you walk or bike to a nearby town for shopping and such? Or do you have to take a bus/taxi? Do they still have the shuttle bus to Ilsan? If so, what hours does it run?

Does anyone have any experience teaching part time in the evenings or weekend in a nearby town? Is it possible or is the EV to isolated to be practical to commute? Or are the nearby towns too small to have any hogwans? Does Paju EV offer it's staff the opportunity to work overtime (e.g. a 6th day per week)?

Any feedback from someone currently there or who has worked there in the last half year would be appreciated.

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

I met a guy that worked there.

He told me that everyone works 5 days, however some of those days may end up being on the weekend Embarassed

And the only "shuttle bus" into Ilsan is the red 200 bus.

Ramen · Joined: 15 Apr 2008

Many have told me never to work in any English villages. They said all of them suck. Razz

elliot79 · Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Location: England

I was supposed to have an interview with them, it's been postponed for the 3rd time now Confused