Korean Job Discussion Forums

[margaret]

I've decided to return to Korea if I can find a job I want. I would like to live in a relatively small place, or even a tiny place, in the Eastern part of Korea--a non-coastal town or city such as Chunchon, Wonju, Yongju, Kyongju or Chechon in Kangwondo or Kyongsangbukdo. The other place we liked and I'd like to live is Konju, though it's in the west. If anyone knows of any job openings or can recommend a school in these parts I'd appreciate the info before I post my resume and subject myself to an onslaught of spam. I can start the latter part of March. I enjoy teaching and children.
Margaret

[turtlepi1]

should be easy...sounds like you want to live in the armpit of Korea.

I was just wondering why a non-coastal town...that is the part that caught my interest being the water-baby I am...

[SpecialK]

I am presently living in Daejeon. I know it's not one of the places that you mentioned but it has a small town feeling I find and I have had no problems. I am leaving in the middle-end of March and I am going to try to find a replacement for my Boss. They have been nothing but great to me (helped me organize a Chuseok holiday, helped with the language etc). If you are interested let me know and I can give you more details

[margaret]

To turtlepi1--I lived in Florida near the ocean for long enough and my step mother lives on the beach so it's "been there done that." I'm very attracted to mountains, however.
To SpecialK--thanks, but Daejeon is not where I want to be, thanks anyway.
Margaret

[Wishmaster]

Yeah, I've done the small town Korea gig. Just wait until you hit the six month mark...the isolation will hit you like a ton or two of bricks. If you like isolation...small town Korea is the thing.

[captain kirk]

I agree with Wishmaster. It sounds like Margaret is a couple, she said 'we'. In that case the isolation would be cut (though you might 'drive each other crazy').
A small town 'sounds ideal' at first, 'idyllic', but here are some experiences I've had.
If you think the K'rean men 'protecting' their women thing is unjust and over the top, it's more prevalent in smaller places. I knew a guy who swore off small towns because he couldn't be seen with a K woman, even just walking down the street together. In my experience I wanted to go out for a pleasant lunch with the newly arriving, local K teacher. We did, but she seemed to want to avoid it. And during lunch seemed very uncomfortable and uptight. It was the local K restaurant.
Very concerned, they have to be, K women, about how this apparent togetherness is perceived. What it might imply, and so on. Small towns talk. There's a yellow dog asleep on main street. Look, it moved to sleep in front of the corner store.
If you agree with the statement, 'humans are social animals' then one is going to go against nature and feel it in that small town atmosphere. One thing would help. If you have experience back home living in small towns.

[jajdude]

[margaret]

I am a we, alright ,and my better or worse half will travel part of the time which will decrease the constant proximity. I live in a small town now, although it certainly helps that I speak the language. I've lived in a small town before, and some of those places I'd like to go are not that small. When I worked in Korea before I lived in Jeonju, which was too big for me. Seoul was hell, even to visit. My kind boss was always afraid of my being lonely. I didn't feel lonely but I missed my boyfriend terribly whihc is why I wouldn't return without him. We've been together 16 years. I know the sexism will bother me--it's worse when I'm with him because they treat us like one person--him, but I'm ready for the trade-offs involving small. Who knows, in a year maybe I'll be running back to Cairo.
Margaret