Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PBRstreetgang21]

Having had a job in Jeonju lined up for me that appears to be falling through because my govermnet not only took twice as long to process my background check but then screwed up the certification so it cant be apostilled, thus leaving me a month late and having to start over again-- Im looking for jobs again.

So I guess here is what I want to know.

Yearning for more quite, and friendlier faces Im looking to Gwangju, but keeping in my brain my network of friends in Seoul (both foreign and Korean) Im not sure where I should go now. I know no one in Gwangju, but the idea of a city with enough to keep you occupied but not so large it suffocated you sounds great. Especially considering I can live without pretty much all the foreign amenities.

Yet Ive found that despite speaking some Korean, making Korean friends in Seoul has been difficult. Maybe I just dont know how to do it properly, but I found it very hard to find the three korean friends I have now.

For those who have Korean friends, do you think its easier to make them in Seoul or outside of Seoul?

[earthbound14]

I think it's hard to make Korean friends no matter what. Language is the key issue. If you don't know all the in jokes an slang it can be pretty tough. Being in Gwangju would force you to learn Korean and Korean slang.

I live in the Seoul area and have few Korean friends. It's harder to bridge the language gap because I end up with so many western friends that I spend more time with them and when my Korean friends hang out with us they always feel like the outsider. When I hang out with my Korean friends by myself I feel like the outsider. I never really take the time to push past all the cultural differences while living in Seoul.

[PeteJB]

I've heard the people in Gwangju aren't as two faced as those in Seoul (Koreans consider them to be country bumpkins), so there you might have long term prospects but in the short term you might find it harder to make friends and communicate with folks. Depends if you can find English speakers or not.

[bobbyhanlon]

i found it really easy to make korean friends.. but the important thing is, if you are an english teacher, to make your friends away from the hakwon. if you play music, join a band, or if you're into sports, join a team.. that way you'll meet ordinary people who aren't interested in you for your english. and don't meet them at the 'foreigner bars' either.

korean slang is very useful too, never underestimate it!

[jeng]

That seems like some good advice.