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manduface
Joined: 09 Oct 2010
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 Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 10:32 pm Post subject: Ilsan VS Nowon |
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I'm trying to decide between two positions in Korea right now.
One is in Nowon-gu by Sanggye and Hagye station.
The other is in Ilsan by Hangshin station (On google map: Haensin 2 dong).
They look equally far from central Seoul/Hongdae/etc, so it's been kind of hard for me to decide.
I'm more of a city person (although I do like nature). I'm in my twenties so night life, good restaurants, nice fitness facilities (I like a variety of gym classes), and access to central Seoul is important to me.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks  |
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interestedinhanguk
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 1:05 am Post subject: |
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| Haengsin is not in Ilsan. It is in a different area of Goyang called Deogyang-gu. |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 3:56 am Post subject: |
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| Nowon is a better location, but I don't know the details of either job offer. |
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manduface
Joined: 09 Oct 2010
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 7:27 am Post subject: |
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One is a private-standard 2-10- and the other is a public school.
The contract for the private is posted on the 'contract' sticky.
There are some things I'm not comfortable with (primarily the airfare & vacation payback--If I don't finish the entirety of the contract I have to pay back both).
It seems non negotiable due to 'company policy.'
The thing is I'm a F4 and from what I've gathered it's an especially hard market for Ko-Am's who want Seoul, especially for those who aren't in Korea/have 0 experience.
I'm struggling with whether or not to take the job. If they're both equal distances to Seoul and the Goyang position isn't in the complete boon docks I might consider the public school.
At the same time, location is important to me and I'd rather sacrifice air fare if it means Ill be in a more foreigner friendly/urban atmosphere/populated area. I just don't want to be traveling all the time/have nobody around. I guess if there isn't a big diff. I should go public? But that doesn't necessarily guarantee happiness I suppose!
Thanks for the help, btw. |
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Totti
Joined: 24 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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Ask them where your apartment is in Goyang. I know a few of the public school teachers in the area taught in the sticks (paju) but ended up living in the main area of Ilsan.
Ilsan is a pretty good area to live there's enough going on that you won't feel the need to go to Seoul every weekend. It's 30-45mins away from Sinchon on bus depending on traffic. Getting back is quicker due to the empty roads and you can be in Jeongbalsan in 20 mins from Hongdae in a taxi. |
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interestedinhanguk
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Totti wrote: |
Ask them where your apartment is in Goyang. I know a few of the public school teachers in the area taught in the sticks (paju) but ended up living in the main area of Ilsan.
Ilsan is a pretty good area to live there's enough going on that you won't feel the need to go to Seoul every weekend. It's 30-45mins away from Sinchon on bus depending on traffic. Getting back is quicker due to the empty roads and you can be in Jeongbalsan in 20 mins from Hongdae in a taxi. |
If OP is teaching in Haengshin, they'll probably have him living in Haengshin. Once again, Haengshin is not in Ilsan.
OP, 20 minutes from Hongdae to Jeongbalsan is really only possible if that's late at night, but that's probably when you'd be coming back. It can take an hour from Ilsan by bus in the heavy traffic, though.
Anways, that's not important. Haengshin is closer geographically, and I think closer by road, as well. |
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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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Figure out your travel time from either location with this:
http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/
OP: there are gyms everywhere. |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 7:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| There are some things I'm not comfortable with (primarily the airfare & vacation payback--If I don't finish the entirety of the contract I have to pay back both). |
Airfare is a legitimate request if you leave before 6 months. However, vacation payback only makes sense if they are letting you go somewhere in the first few months. In order for me to take a job like this, I would figure if I wanted to be somewhere in the next 6 months.
If not, then either they remove that condition or I find a new school. You don't want to fall victim to them letting you leave earlier (few days) and then saying you left before your contract time which would then allow them to collect on this stupid vacation clause.
If you do want some time off, then see how flexible they are. At my current school, there is really no vacation time promised. It's simple to figure out, teachers can go somewhere if they want and the school has other teachers to fill in. If not, then we teach. |
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interestedinhanguk
Joined: 23 Aug 2010
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| Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:38 pm Post subject: |
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You're linking him to the Korean language site when he's a newbie?
Anyways, as far as I know, the trains from Haengshin don't regularly run all the way to Seoul Station, they stop before that. They only go to Seoul Station like once an hour. That being said, there's lots of buses from Haengshin to Seoul. |
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definitely maybe
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
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| Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 4:16 am Post subject: |
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| As others have said, Nowon is better unless you're actually in Ilsan. Line 4 and 6 are fairly convenient, allowing access to a number of places, and Line 1 is in nearby Changdong. The area around Nowon Station is decent enough during the week as well. |
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meaghan
Joined: 24 May 2009
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| Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 8:03 am Post subject: |
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| Keep in mind that on a public school schedule (fewer working hours, more vacation time as well as random days off and half days) you'll have a lot more free time, which may compensate if the commute is a little longer. |
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Caffeinated
Joined: 11 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 8:30 am Post subject: |
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| interestedinhanguk wrote: |
You're linking him to the Korean language site when he's a newbie? |
There's an English link at the top right. |
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manduface
Joined: 09 Oct 2010
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| Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 9:42 am Post subject: |
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Hey, everyone
Thanks for all the input.
I've decided to go public because I got a good feeling about the school/the native teacher I'm replacing said great things about the place. She's only leaving the position to go back home.
In addition, I asked if I could pick my own housing and they said yes!
Does anyone have recommendations for location? Will Ilsan be too far of a commute? Should I just stay near the school? The native teacher said that it was a 10-15 minute bus ride away, but I wasn't sure if that was only during certain hours as she mentioned that Seoul was closer.
I'd like to keep my commute to at most 20 min.
Also is anyone familiar with the bus system there? Or if there is a site like the one Caffeinated suggested for the buses?
Thanks and happy holidays!
Last edited by manduface on Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:11 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Totti
Joined: 24 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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I'd commute from Ilsan ( Jeongbalasan) because:
1. you won't see your students out and about all the time.
2. Lot's of teachers to hang with and places to go.
3. You'll have La Festa, Western Dome, Lake Park and Meat Street on your door step.
4. Good gyms around, World Gym and Flex. Plus another smaller gym next to La Festa where you can practice MMA if you want.
5. IMAX at western dome. |
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manduface
Joined: 09 Oct 2010
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| Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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| How about Mapo-gu in Seoul? |
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