Korean Job Discussion Forums

kilakilakila · Joined: 23 Jan 2011 Location: Gyeonggi-do

Hello, I'm B, American female, I've been lurking here for some time.

I'm moving to Gwangmyeong (city SW of seoul, I believe) in several weeks. Is anyone familiar with the area? I've been told I am stationed in Haan-dong. I understand it is a smaller city (~350k.) I'm curious as what to expect.

I'm teaching kindy/elementary in a chain hagwon. I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst, as usual. I'm a pretty goofy person, so I'm hoping my kids will eventually take a liking to me.

I'll have a close friend living ~45 minutes from me, which will be comforting, to say the least. Another friend coming a month later.

Here's the kicker. I'm a very inexperienced traveller, much to my chagrin. I've never been overseas, let alone flown. (In before someone tells me not to bother coming.) So I'm in for a lot of weird moments in the first 48 hours, I'm sure. Any relevant advice?

My hobbies include reading, writing, internetting, 'going out.' I have a quiet personality, work hard, and have fun hard.

So uh, any info? Advice? Wanna be friends?

modernseoul · Joined: 11 Sep 2011 Location: Seoul

Gwangmyeong is basically Seoul, so your very lucky as a newbie to get such a nice location. Not far from Seoul National Uni as well as basically everything Seoul has to offer. Try facebook for social groups in your area.

Depending on the size of your chain your co-workers should be able to help you out with most things, and as long as your nice and give unlimited attention the kids will like you.

Having not been to a foreign country before the first few weeks will be stressful, exciting, scary but hopefully fun.

The best I can give is to be yourself, relax and make the most of it. Good luck.

kilakilakila · Joined: 23 Jan 2011 Location: Gyeonggi-do

Thank you!

Apparently there are only two other foreign teachers at my school.

Also, I accidentally posted this in the Jobs forum also. Wasn't paying attention to where I was. Thought I clicked cancel fast enough to not have it post, and because I didn't see it, I thought I was successful.

Was accused of spamming by ttompatz. Sorry. Didn't mean to cross-post.