Korean Job Discussion Forums

refikaM · Joined: 06 May 2006 Location: Gangwondo

I put out a post a while back asking about Gangwondo and the best cities there for foreign teachers... I'm particularly interested in liveability, being close to natural areas, friendliness of the locals, yet still having a somewhat of a western population (not that I don't like Koreans) and amenities (like internet, etc)... Can anyone supply info? The individual websites don't enlighten much.... THANKS you Gangwondonians or past Gangwondonias!!

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

I live in Kangwon-do. What city are you thinking of? cubanlord lives in Kangwon as well...schwa in Sokcho, coolsage in Chuncheon....

You can get internet access in any city or town. Larger cities will allow easier access to Seoul.

Cities to consider: Chuncheon, Wonju, Sokcho, Kangneung. Chuncheon has a healthy foreign population, easy access to Seoul, hiking, rafting, skiing...

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I saw your earlier post & Grotto's response was accurate. I'll add a few more comments. I know the program well & I've been to all the places you're considering.

First off, wherever you choose in Gangwondo, I think you'll find the locals warm & welcoming. There tends to be a genuine appreciation for our services here & the program is well-established throughout the province.

Some of the districts are indeed isolated. Pyeongchang, Jeongseon, & Yeongwol are one-horse towns that all offer beautiful settings but little else by way of non-Korean amenities. Some enjoy the experience but more for old hands in Korea or dedicated small-towners. One plus: country schools tend to offer smaller classes & the kids are more innocent & respectful.

Hoengseong, Hongcheon, & Yangyang are also very small but each is convenient to larger centers. Wonju is bigger but strikes me as charmless beyond relatively quick access to Seoul.

Gangneung & Sokcho both offer beaches & mountains close at hand as well as a bit of an expat "scene." Each I'd guess has 40 or 50 resident foreigners but Gangneung has established hangouts while Sokcho is more freestyle.

The question of "livability" depends on the person. (Internet access is a non-concern -- its everywhere.) For what its worth, not one Gangwon epik teacher has bailed on their contract over the last few years. Not that there arent any problems, but evidently they arent deal-breakers.

I'll be speaking at the orientation in Cheongju (you'll figure out who I am) & you're welcome to pick my mind. Or PM me with further questions.

refikaM · Joined: 06 May 2006 Location: Gangwondo

Thanks schwa... I sent a pm as you said you didn't mind... If anyone else can enlighten me to Gangwondo.... I'm all ears.... Thanks!

refikaM · Joined: 06 May 2006 Location: Gangwondo

Oh yes and thanks demophobe, too.... I'm thinking about Gangneung, Chuncheon, and Samchuk.... Good choices?

cubanlord · Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Location: In Japan!

I'm here. It's peaceful and quiet. If you don't like those things, then Seoul, Busan, or other populated cities may fit your preferences.

refikaM · Joined: 06 May 2006 Location: Gangwondo

I prefer peaceful and quiet... not much of a big city gal as I grew up on a chicken farm in Oregon... Still got the countryside in my blood. Thanks for the info! Gangwondonians seem like a friendly sort of folks....

Antrugha · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: On a 2-wheeled engine

I live in Wonju (it's in Gangwon Do). Overall, I love the location, only 90 mins from pretty much everything (Seoul, skiing, beach, mountain range). It's hard to meet expats here, the only friend i have is my coworker, but i've only been here about 3 weeks. In the end, I would probably come back here if I had to choose.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

WHere in Gangwondo? That is a HUGE area.

I lived for 2 years in Gangneung, and it was gorjeous. The sea was a 30 minute walk, the people are great. They have a great bus system, but to get around you really do need a car, or you travel by taxi.

So, WHERE in Gangwondo?

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Perhaps you should think about things from a different point of view. Back home, being somewhat isloated is not so bad...TV, radio, friends a phone call away, familiar sights and sounds. Here, you have none of that and if you add a remote location to that, you may have a hard time. Dunno...just a thought.

Chuncheon...a great place with everything I could want. I think I outlined most of the fun stuff previously. If you have any direct questions, PM me as well. Right now, it's largely underwater, but when it dries out, it will be great.

Neil · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Location: Tokyo

happeningthang has lived in Samchuk since 1867, he'll know everything there is to know about the place.

refikaM · Joined: 06 May 2006 Location: Gangwondo

Thanks Neil... happeningthing are you out there to give me info about Samchuk? It's either Samchuk or Sokcho... I'll take some recommendations... ???

papa_geno · Joined: 26 Aug 2005 Location: Gangneung

Just about to finish a contract in Gangneung: very warm place, and as posted above, most of the institutes seem to genuinely appreciate the services of the English teachers here. And if you need to make contact with the ex-pat crowd, it's not hard at all. Put that together with great beaches and a wide variety of parks to hike in, and it's difficult to go wrong.

Bloglist (under heading "Kangsters") to be found on the sidebar of this guy's blog. At least two of those links lead to long-termers, good folks all around.