Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ksagain]

Hi all! I'm am currently considering 3 different positions and need some help in deciding. The pay is pretty much the same for all 3.

The first position is in Namhae for the public school system. It offers 5-6 weeks paid vacation.

The second is in Yeosu for the public school system and offers 3 weeks paid vacation.

The third position is in Yeosu for a private language school and offers 2 weeks vacation. I have gotten nothing but good feedback about this school and it's manager.

The vaction time is important to me because I would like to do some other traveling while I'm in Asia, but I'm concerned about Namhae being to small, not having a foreign community and not having much of a night life. I haven't been able to find very much on Namhae beside the city's website.

Anyone that has some experience with Namhae or both places...your insight between the 2 would be much appreciated.

[Hyeon Een]

Yeosu city is a lot bigger than Namhae, but still very small feeling compared to the big cities of Korea. Namhae has some beautiful scenery and one of the best beaches in Korea (Sangju). The main town is about 20-30km away from that beach though.

Yeosu also has beaches, a couple of them are nice, the 'famous' one isn't though. If I was you I'd probably choose the public school job in Yeosu. With both the public school jobs you'll almost certainly have more vacation than what it says in the contract. With the private institute you will have exactly the amount in your contract, or less even.. Public schools get lots of days off for things like tests, the school's birthday, field trips etc. Private schools never give you any 'random' days off (unless your vacation is 10 days scattered throughout the year).

Yeosu is a nice, clean city. It's small. Namhae is much smaller. Unless you really want to be pretty isolated you probably don't want to go to Namhae.

Oh also, ask where the public schools are. Yeosu and namhae are both big places. For example there are islands up to 2hrs away by boat from Yeosu ferry terminal which are part of Yeosu city.. working and living there would be very.. peaceful haha.

[VanIslander]

[ksagain]

Thanks for your replies. I still haven't decided and was hoping for some more feedback. I did rule out the private language school position in Yeosu though. After I informed them or my decision to not take the position, they informed me of a private public school for 2.2 million won a month and 5 weeks paid vacation. So, now the decision is between

Namhae public school 2.1 million won and 5 weeks vacation

or

Yeosu private public school 2.2 million won and 5 weeks vacation.

Now that the offers are comprable, it's just a matter of deciding between the locations.

VanIslander: Is there much of a night life and/or a foreign community in Namhae?

Thanks again!

[Smee]

You could do a lot worse than Yeosu. It has a population of around 300,000, buy it feels a lot smaller. Half of the city looks out onto a bay, and it's a very nice view as you come through the tunnel. There are nice beaches, islands, temples, etc. You are also close to cities like Gwangyang and Suncheon, and you're a few hours away from Gwangju. Once the weather gets nicer you can travel around the countryside down here, as there's some nice hiking, temples, and tourist spots.

There's some shopping in Yeosu, which comes in handy. I know there's an E-Mart, and there's a few other department stores, too. There are a few western restaurants like McDonald's, and it's possible to get real coffee down there.

I've never been to Namhae, but as a poster said it's conveniently close to other cities in the area, which adds some variety.

[VanIslander]

[SunnyD]

A friend of mine has been in Yeosu for years, and I'm moving out there after Christmas. I've accepted a hakwan job, mainly because the director came so highly recommended. Job satisfaction is huge for me, so I really needed to feel that the work situation would be flexible with a reasonable, helpful boss.

It sounds like Yeosu has a decent community of expats, who get together and all that. Of course I don't really know much about it yet. I've heard of a number of people that just renewed contracts there, or switched schools but are still staying in Yeosu.

SunnyD

[dmbfan]

Yosu, to my surprise, has been a nice little city to live in. The weather will not be as cold as Seoul (but still chilly), and it is not dirty or polluted. Since I have been here, we have had clear, sunny skies almost everyday. The scenery is worth mentioning, if you like mountains and the ocean.

However, how did you find a public school with 5 weeks of vacation? Most of the teachers here (or the new ones that I know of) have 14 working days.............dam, I wish I had that deal.

There is an expat community here. I have not really gotten involved as of yet, but soon will. So, just meet some folks, shake some hands, and you will do fine.


Cheers.

dmban

[ksagain]

Thanks for the information everybody!!!

After weighing everything together, I have decided to accept the position in Yeosu.

Now that I have made my decision I can start getting excited about my life abroad.

Thanks again!!!

[ella]

When you get settled, post again and let us know how you like it!