Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kelvinator]

Dear All,
I have accepted a position on Geoje Island at an international school called Okpo International School.

I was wondering if anyone out there has had experience in this school or know of someone who has?

I have read a few horror stories about other schools in South Korea so I'm feeling a little nervous about your answers to this one.

Any information about the island itself or the school would be greatfully recieved.

Thank you.
kelvinator.

[VanIslander]

I lived in Okpo for over three years until this spring and let me tell you: you have nothing to worry about. That's a good school from what I've heard.

Okpo, meaning "Jade Bay", is on the east coast within easy access of several great beaches. It's the second largest community on the island with about 50,000 people in Okpo I estimate (the locals I've asked never seemed to know). It's pronounced "Oak-po". It's very condensed between the huge DSME (Daewoo) shipbuilding port on one side, and hills on the other sides.

Here's a night pic:



You can see the shipyards in the top left, a bit separated from the town. I lived in a smallrise behind the tall apartments in the right foreground, at the edge of the nightlife district for the whole island. There are tons of restaurants there, and an active foreigner's club to service the over a thousand engineers and construction workers from Europe and Australia mainly. You will want for nothing. There's the equivalent of the "red door" of Itaewon, in other words, a nondescript imports store carrying stuff foreigners buy that's not sold in most normal places in Korea (English teas, oatmeal, hungarian sausage, cheeses, pretzels, lasagna noodles, taco seasoning, taco shells, etc, etc). There's nothing, absolutely nothing, you need to bring. Except your favourite clothes and pics of home for the students to see. Endstop. Don't overthink it. Heck, don't worry.

And PM when you have a set date for departure, an actual ticket in hand. Then I'll put you in touch with a few other foreigners living in the town.

[kelvinator]

Thanks for the input! You have put my mind at rest. Awesome night photo btw.

[just because]

I just was in okpo last weekend...

I got offered a teaching job at the DSME(Daewoo Ship building) company but turned it down as I like Changwon too much but i did go out for the interview and they sounded solid and Okpo looks like a nice place to live...

I thought about it but the commute is too much for a relationship...

Anyway, okpo looks great and if you are at an international School you should be fine