Korean Job Discussion Forums

babtangee · Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 5:42 am Post subject: Anyone Teaching North of Seoul?

Got offered a position in Chunchon. Very risky (hagwon's just starting out), yet very appealing to my sensibilities.

The director writes near fluently and studied at my uni, giving him instant cred. with me.

Is ANYONE working in Chunchon?

Do they have more trouble getting teachers nearer to the demilitarized zone?

I'd love to take this job, but my wife will take some convincing Rolling Eyes

Daechidong Waygookin

babtangee

Dawn · Joined: 06 Mar 2004

I'm not in Chunchon, but am north of Seoul and near the DMZ. The school I've been at the past couple of years does have a bit of trouble finding qualified teachers, but I don't think proximity to North Korea is a major factor. Much bigger factors are qualifications (we require teachers to hold either a valid teaching certificate or to have a degree in English and prior teaching), working hours and distance from Seoul. Many teachers simply don't want to give up the conveniences and/or night life of the big city.

On the flip side, life in the more rural areas of Korea has its advantages. Housing can be much nicer, as property is cheaper. The Korean community gets to know you a lot faster and doesn't treat you like as much of an "outsider." Outdoor activities are more abundant, and (with the exception of yellow dust season), the air tends to be a lot cleaner. Right now, I'm living in a 24-pyung apartment that's approximately a seven-minute walk from the start of a decent series of hiking trails and less than five minutes from a nice bike path along the river. Almost everything I need and much of what I want is readily available in this town of 40,000. Notable exceptions are books and music, which I'd be buying off the Internet even if I were in my home country.

As for the threat possed by North Korea, the local population doesn't seem to give it much thought, and if they don't worry about it, why should we? Because I live maybe 150 meters off the "main route" from the DMZ into Seoul, there's an abundance of Korean and U.S. military bases in this area. That necessitated our getting used to the regular buzz of military aircraft -- a bit disconcerting at first, but after the first few weeks, most people no longer notice it.

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I'm sure most people by now realize that DW lives in a world concocted from his own emotion, imagination, and limited perspective. That's why I feel bad about posting this, and triggering his heart to palpitate a little faster:

Daechidong Waygookin

Plume D'ella Plumeria · Joined: 10 Jan 2005 Location: The Lost Horizon

It wasn't obvious to me that you weren't serious, DW, since there seems to be a general patina of seriousness I've noticed, which surround your posts. Seems that others took you seriously too. Hmmm...we must ALL be a bunch of morons.

babtangee · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2005 12:10 am Post subject:

Actually, I did assume Daechi was joking: hence my witty reply (though I certainly would do any and all of those things should I find myself in the clutches of Dear Leader). Otherwise I'd have to assume he was a fool.

And yeah, I wasn't really concerned about the DMZ; just hoping others were and thus this job offer wouldn't be so bad.

Now I have to think (thanks for the links): the guy says he's been open for a year, and is right next door to a primary school. However, says he wasn't sure how to go about teaching children (he's only been teaching teenagers), thus he needs me.

If his business does crumble, well I should have an F2 visa by then, so it shouldn't really affect me too much - apart, perhaps, from the guy blaming and hating me... am I right? Is this job really not worth the free flight?