Korean Job Discussion Forums

[net86]

What is it like to live in Gwangju? I have just had an interview for a school there and the school sounds really good - just a little unsure of the area - is it like being a small fish in a very big pond??

[escarole]

Well, hopefully someone who's spent more time in Gwangju than I have will take a stab at your question, but they might have trouble with that considering it's a bit vague...

If someone's criteria for where they want go is that they don't want to feel like a small fish, then it might be a safe bet to avoid any country other than one's own or perhaps countries that speak the same language, or failing that, well-established expat communities akin to Chinatowns, Little Italy etc...

If you've been in Korea for awhile (or traveled much), and you have some ability with the language, familiarity with the general feel of day to day life, then my above answer probably comes across as presumptuous, and in that case I'm sorry.

If you're a first-timer in Korea, most any place above a certain population is probably going to seem superficially very, very similar, with the bulk of difference only becoming visible with time.

Maybe your question is really aimed at finding out the ratio of expats to Koreans in Gwangju, vs. other places you've lived in Korea? In that case I know there's a healthy expat community in Gwangju. As for the exact ratio, the size of the pool of possible friends, etc etc I'm not sure.

I don't really know what information you're after but I hope I've conveyed something of use.

[MoneyMike]

Hey man, I'm just finishing up my second year in Gwangju. (I'm assuming you mean the Jeolla-do Gwangju right?)

It's a decent little place. There are a few different areas of the city where you can expect to run into foreigners, and lots of bars that are heavily frequented. The nightlife is kinda lame though, live music doesn't happen too often. Other than that, there are weekly hangouts for board games, card games, and lots of other stuff. Pretty good foreigner community in general.

One downside is the distance from Seoul and Busan. If you like the big cities, (like I do) Gwangju is a relatively inconvenient place to make trips from. Bus tickets to both cities are quite cheap, but it's a long ride compared to other places.

If you have any specific questions throw em on here.

[Daelim]

Gwangju is like I imagine Daegu or Busan to be ten to fifteen years ago.

It is becoming more modern though and it's certainly not a bad place to live and work by any stretch of the imagination.

[krats1976]

I spent 3 years in Gwangju previously and am headed back in about three weeks. I liked it just fine. You'll find most of what you'll find in bigger cities and a little bit of hunting around and you'll find some great foreigners to hang out with. It is a ways from Seoul, but weekend trips are very do-able. I went frequently, but only because there's an English congregation of my church in Seoul (& none in Gwangju) and I still have friends there. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't bother.

[FDNY]

EVERYONE should read and memorize this. Seoul is EVERYTHING in Korea.

Remember "Cohiba's Rule" (Now better than ever!):

Think twice before you live outside of Seoul. "In Seoul" and
"outside of Seoul" are like two different countries. Seoul
is an interesting place with variety and venues for most
tastes. Outside of Seoul you will find a homogeneous Korean
culture. I don't mean this in a bad way, but you will never
find things like: French, Greek, Indian or any other ethnic
foods. Markets that sell sherry, pate, pastrami, ricotta cheese.
Specialty shops that sell Cuban cigars, European pies, cold
cuts or rye breads. Just to name a few things. Also clubs such
as photography, drama, public speaking, sailing are 99% in
the capital city. If you want to experiment with a very Korean
culture, which unfortunately means "closed", then choose the
countryside. If you want to make money and have the lifestyle
choices similar to a western country, then there is no other
choice than Seoul.

The FFF RULE: FFF=Fun For Foreigners.

If FFF in Seoul = 100, then FFF decreases at
1/distance. So 2km from Seoul FFF=1/2(100)=50;
10km from Seoul FFF=1/10(100)=10. This rule is
a rule for nightlife, food and foreign products only.
Nature etc. is on a different scale altogether.

This means you will be wasting a lot of time commuting
to Seoul. This is especially a drag if you have been
boozing on a Friday night and there are no buses or
trains.

[oldtrafford]

EVERYONE should read and memorize this. Seoul is EVERYTHING in Korea.

Remember "Cohiba's Rule" (Now better than ever!):


it wasn't funny on the other thread and it aint funny now. Head for Busan or Seoul if you like minge. Trust me, out of those two cities you aint gunna find much flange!!

[Yaya]

[Porksta]

Gwangju is known for three things - mafia, food, and hookers. If any of those interest you I say go for it.

[ssuprnova]

[krats1976]

[net86]

I just cannot decide between Gwangju or Geoje island - 2 totally different places. I like the look of Geoje but I would worry that island fever would set in after a few months which leads me to Gwangju - I dunno

[sirius black]

[oldtrafford]

Ignore anyone who posts that Cohiba rule thing. Its almost always posted by someone who has no clue about Korea at large. Seoul is a great city but its not for everyone. Its akin to someone telling an immigrant they have to live in NYC and outside it is wilderness.

utter rubbish. The States is known for having many, many diverse and multi cultural places. Korea isn't and doesn't offer this beyond Seoul and at a push Busan!! Your analogy is ridiculous!!

[ippy]

Gwangju is nice. Its a city, but its kinda not on the same scale as your busans and seouls. If youre british, its probably on the scale of your newcastle compared to london.

This means everything is pretty muhc concentrated in the downtown area for nightlife. I havent seen much go on elsewhere.

Basically living there beats the hell out of living rural jeollanam (as i do), but its still a stop gap for when you want to go to a real club that doesnt play the same 6 songs every night.

Shot! shot! shot! shot!shotshot! EVERY-BAHHH-DAY!!!

*shudder*. It has a few cute bars, and a decent foreigner community. Its nothing special! but its also nothing awful. Get in with a nice crowd and i honestly cant imagine you having a crappy time here. Find bubblebar, the speakeasy or the underground grocers/cafe and youll be almost mainlined to the hive so to speak. Making friends here shouldnt really be a problem, and thus having stuff to do keeping you occupied (whilst making the occasional trip to seoul/busan), wont be an issue.

It beats the hell out of rural thats for sure