Korean Job Discussion Forums

dreamscape · Joined: 05 Aug 2004

OK, I was just offered what looks to be a pretty decent contract but the position is in Gwangju. Other than Seoul and Busan (Pusan??) I don't really know anything about cities in Korea. Does anyone live there or can anyone tell me anything about the city? I'm also a little worried because the school the job is at would have one native english teacher: me! Anything anyone can tell me about the city would be MUCH appreciated!!

Thanks Smile

Koreabound2004 · Joined: 19 Nov 2003

I like the city. Has Western Restaurants, and great shopping. I would definitely live in Gwangju. I think its the 5th largest city in Korea.

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

I've been here almost 2 months and it's a pretty decent place. There's plenty to do here and there are other foreigners around (not as many as Seoul, of course, but it's not like you're clear out in the boondocks). There are shops and restaraunts if that's your thing. There's an international center here that has activities and Korean classes. It's also pretty easy to get to both Seoul and Busan. Either one is about 3-4 hours on an express bus so weekend trips are easily do-able. The big art festival is this month and there're a couple of great museums here. My Korean friends tell me that Kwangju is famous for tasty food, but I've been holed up at my school most of the time getting lesson plans ready for the year, so I haven't gone out to eat much.

All in all, I like it here. Seoul was too crowded and I always felt clausterphobic (sp?). Here there's a bit more room to move around. I feel like I can connect to Korea a bit more here then in the ant-hill that is Seoul.

Buena suerte.

~krats

dreamscape · Joined: 05 Aug 2004

Thanks for the input on Gwangju. I'm mostly concerned because I don't know anyone there and there aren't any other native english teachers at the school. Are there many places to meet english speakers? I'm cool by myself but I want to know I can meet some people fairly easily. Has anyone else worked in a school where they're the only english teacher?

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

dreamscape · Joined: 05 Aug 2004

Damn that pic is cool Manner of Speaking.

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

Thanks.

Why don't you have one?

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

dreamscape · Joined: 05 Aug 2004

Well, I accepted the job in Gwangju, it looks like I'm Korea bound for October 1st! I hope it's good!!! (there doesn't seem to be a nervous/excited/scared shit less emoticon that fully expresses how I'm feeling).

As for the lack of a pic, I'm working on it, I just need to resize something to fit it into the 80x80 pixel limit. That and I'm lazy Smile

Kimchi Cha Cha · Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: was Suncheon, now Brisbane

I'm heading to Gwangju this Friday. I'm hoping it's good too!

Spent my first contract in Jeonju, which all in all is a nice city with quite friendly people. I'm hoping Gwangju's turns out to be a larger version of Jeonju with a few more attractions.

wylde · Joined: 14 Apr 2003

gwang ju is great...

the only thing i don't like is peak hour traffic

anyone wants to go for beers send me a pm

cacheSurfer · Joined: 07 Dec 2003

Kwangju has a great downtown area.
at night it really lights up.

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

rawiri · Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Location: Lovely day for a fire drill.

[quote="weatherman"][quote="cacheSurfer"]Kwangju has a great downtown area.
at night it really lights up.[/quote]

That is about all it has, and this will take away your cash pretty fast too.[/quote]

too true, after one year there i left with about 4000...pathetic.