Korean Job Discussion Forums

[R. S. Refugee]

Things seem to be improving in my job search and I think I have more than one offer at this point. The potential employer who inspires the most confidence and excitement is a woman owner/manager of a single, independent school in Gimpo. Three foreign teachers (is that three including me or three plus me?) and ten Korean teachers.

So, my main question at this moment is, "What is Gimpo like? Can I be happy there?"

Well, how would you know where I could be happy, but possibly some of you have some knowledge to offer regarding Gimpo. It's more important to me that I'm in the most satisfying work situation since that is where most of my life is spent anyway. And being an enthusiastic musician means that I don't get bored much spending time alone. It will just make me enjoy it that much more when I go to see the bright shining lights of the big city where Harpeau has told me all about the pleasant acoustical music venues where I'm likely to hang out. Gee, I hope they're smoke-free, but I'm not holding my breath.

Let the advice and edumacation begin.

Cheers.

[fandeath]

My answer is yes.

[funplanet]

not too bad...you'll be fairly close to Ilsan which is where a lot of artists and media stars live...a lot of artsy places to check out, clean, and the people are quite friendly

[dulouz]

No, Gimpo is Korea. Korea bad.

[hellofaniceguy]

Half the people like it and half don't. You just have to find out for yourself.

[inkoreaforgood]

Gimpo, north of Seoul, is a pretty calm place. I lived there for a while, fairly enjoyable. What school are you talking to in Gimpo?

Downtown Seoul is about 1.5 hours by bus, although I've done it in an hour a few times.

[R. S. Refugee]

[Cohiba]

Think twice before you live outside of Seoul. "In Seoul" and
"outside of Seoul" are like two different countries. Seoul
is an interesting place with variety and venues for most
tastes. Outside of Seoul you will find a homogenous Korean
culture. I don't mean this in a bad way, but you will never
find things like: brown bread, good beer, bars with good
tunes, English book stores etc.

Remember the FFF RULE. FFF=Fun For Foreigners.

If FFF in Seoul = 100, then FFF decreases at
1/distance. So 2km from Seoul FFF=1/2(100)=50;
10km from Seoul FFF=1/10(100)=10. This rule is
a rule for nightlife, food and foreign products only.
Nature etc. is on a different scale altogether.

This means you will be wasting a lot of time commuting
to Seoul. This is especially a drag if you have been
boozing on a Friday night and there are no buses or
trains.

I, unfortunately, live in Inchon where the FFF factor
is almost in the negative range. I know!

[R. S. Refugee]

[Cohiba]

I'm 40 and have to slog it into Seoul most weekends
to meet friends. If I suggest going to a bar in Inchon
they just laugh and ignore me. If you want music, I
would say you would have to live in Seoul. There are
quite a few live music venues in Seoul. Inchon had
one blues bar that closed down after 6 months. The
Koreans who live outside of Seoul just don't seem to
be enlightened.

On the other point, yes I like beer. I like to make my
own. I just finished making 20 litres of brown ale. My next
project will be an overstrength IPA.

[R. S. Refugee]

[Big_Bird]

[rapier]

[inkoreaforgood]

bus is faster from Gimpo. Good luck!!!!!!!!!

[R. S. Refugee]