Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kcmo]

I accepted a job last week for a school in the small town of Jinyeong (close to Gimhae and Changwon). I did my research and the school looks good. I am a newbie (just graduated college in August) and this will be my first time outside the western hemisphere. I have done hours upon hours of research in order to prepare myself. What should I expect living in a rural area? What I've gathered so far: I'll probably be one of only a handful of foreigners in the entire town, no nightlife and I will experience Korean culture more.........I've lived in extremely rural areas in the United States before and enjoyed it so I think that will have prepared me to an extent.

I have a few Korean friends who I was planning on visiting on weekends sometimes but besides that I guess I was just planning on doing a lot of sightseeing around the country on my days off.

[teachyou1004]

The rural experience is one of adaptability. In more cases than most, this is when you pretty much forget about how you used to live life. It is completely refreshing to those who seek it. Couple things from experience. Don't eat the raw liver from the freshly killed cow (which you may be offered at some point). Your body can't take the bacteria overload and you'll get sick. Also, get ready for drinking that goes beyond little Seoul college area soiree. Of course I'm only giving you one side of the spectrum from my experience. It's great to do a year in the sticks, and then take a job in a more populated city. You watch, at the second job you will be the only foreigner not complaining about a damn thing

[Rutherford]

You're going to want a car or motorcycle.

[Chet Wautlands]

[swinewho]

When you get out of the 'wilderness' you can write a book and/or exchange witty remarks with other 'vets' when you get into the big lights of the city

Hey you could also include 'Kimchi' or 'dog' in the title if you really want to be cutting edge!

[Colorado]

I know Jinyeong, and it's not what I would call the sticks. It's a small modern city with lots of western style amenities, fast food resturants, french bakeries. beer bars, etc. It's very easy to get around and you can walk everywhere you need to go in town. Plus you are only minutes by bus or train from the much larger cities of Gimhae or Changwon. There is a new KTX station outside of town. I doubt that you'll be the only foreigner there, but perhaps one of only a few. It's not Seoul, but Jinyeong is very liveable. Don't stress over it.

[Weigookin74]

Basically, a rural posting meant you or one other person. But over the last 2 years or so, EPIK has gone through a major expansion. So, even the smallest twon will most likely have several foriegners. But you are either friends with them or not. If you don't like those foriegners, you are screwed. Spend time alone. In the big city, you can choose your foriegners for friends.

The definition of rural depends on size. Mostly modern in many ways, but smaller areas will have a higher proportion of older dumpier buildings left over from when Korea was a poorer country. If you employer is generous, they might put you in a newer actually apartment building or if they are cheap put you in an old dumpier one room that is cold and poorly built, susceptible to mold issues.

A town of 100,000 or more should have at least some newer one rooms (Studio Apartments), though not many.

If you're in a town of 20,000 or 30,000 people, then you're more apt to rough it. This is when there are 4 or 5 foriegners whereas previously there might have been only one. Every Korean will know who you are. It will be very Korean with no or next to none Western amenities. You will travel by bus maybe an hour or more to a bigger city to "stock up".

Depending on where you are, RURAL EPIK will prob be more laid back. You might be teaching less class hours and get more unofficial time off. Everyone could be very welcoming or very old fashioned traditional xenophobic Korean. It really is a roll of the dice.

Rural areas can be good for a year or two, if you can isolate yourself sometimes. When I lived in a twon of 80,000 people, it had more amentities than what I described. But was very rural in it's feel because of it's geography and distance from other places. There were only two or three of us my first year. One worked in a hakwon. Was always gone on weekends. Another was a fellow EPIK dude, quite anti social. So, it was me by myself. You find out what you're made of then.

Being isolated might drive you nuts sometimes, but can be beneficial because you are more exposed to the culture. It might even force you to study the language. But no gaurantee.

In contrast, I met a guy who went to a 30,000 person town smaller than my old town. But there were more foriegners there from the beginning. Maybe 5 or 6 people. They hung out together and were quite close. They spoke to each other in English and partially insulated themselves from Korean culture and society. They felt no need to learn Korean.

I recently went to this small town and walked around with them. I was astonished at their lack of knowledge and virtually no Korean ability. Kind of made me look like a genius speaking to local townsfolk in Korean. (Trust me, I am nowhere's near fluent.)

Countryside can be good if you like more free time (Public school anyways). Hakwons are prob the same no matter where you are. I got into photography, biking, hiking, studying Korean, etc. Since moving to a much bigger city a couple of years ago, I have had less free time and prob less incentive to study Korean. More people speak English in bigger cities.

Been more busy and seem to run into Koreans that have at least basic English skills. But I can visit Seoul and blurt Korean to girls and impress them. Apparently, foriegners in Seoul never learn Korean. No incentive really as the English is really good up there.

Anyways, it's just one part of the arguement. Pros and cons against. The flooded market prob means you can be less picky than before. You might have to do it to get experience and then move on after that. So, if you have less choice, make the best of it. A year will go by quickly. Use the year or let it use you.

Best advice, based on my own experience, is to not be too close to the other foriegners. Try to isolate yourself somewhat if you can. Force yourself to study Korean and walk around practicing it and figure some things out for yourself. Try to learn the names of foods and otehr things too. In the beginning, the other waygooks can help you get settled in. But can soon become a distraction after the first month. (Don't insulate yourself from Korea with them.)

Don't mean it as a hermit or anything. But you'll click with the culture and the language more quickly in a sink or swim appraoch (Which I did because I had no other choice). Can benefit you once you move on to a bigger city later on. Trust me, when you move, you'll have much less incentive or time to study the language like before.

Make the best of your situation. Best of luck whatever you decide.

[Weigookin74]

Couple more things. 80,000 to 200,000 a small city. 300,000 to 1,000,000 a mid size city. Over a million big city. Less than 80,000 very rural. 30,000 very very rural. Small city will have a few amentites but not much. Mid sized city will have basic amentites. Larger supermarkets and basic franchises - McDonald's, Starbucks, etc. Large cities will have these things and more. Seoul in it's own league.

Don't think of North American cities when it comes to population. To compare here and there, take off a zero to have comparible features. For example, a small city of 80,000 will have the feel of a small twon of 8,000 back in North America. Maybe some small stores, a fast food restuarant (Lotteria not McDonalds), a small movie theater if you're lucky. Everyone builds up to conserve space. So georgaphic size might be similiar too. Hope this gives perspective.

[bekinseki]

I've had a lot of experiences meeting people stationed in small towns, and they often seem starved for conversation. Some go stir-crazy. Presumably if you can get through the year, it'll be a personality-building experience.

[TheUrbanMyth]

[Weigookin74]

[eamo]

[Weigookin74]

[TheUrbanMyth]

[ThingsComeAround]

Learn Korean Fast.

Get a Lonely Planet Korea and outline things you'd like to do/see and do them. (your friends cant meet you every weekend have a backup)

Take up a hobby (cooking, martial arts, calligraphy, vase making). It helps, even if you do have other foreigners around something you are learning and build on gives a fulfilling experience. Better than going to the bar or noraebang every night...