Korean Job Discussion Forums

[la_lau]

Hello,

I have just jumped into the ESL-teaching thing, and the camp I'm looking at is in a place called Yeoju. I found it on a map, and they tell me it's 90 minutes from Seoul, but other than that, I can't find any info on this town. Can anyone tell me anything about it? It's a 6-week camp that pays a LOT (almost $5K Canadian!) but I would like to know that Yeoju is not a complete hellhole. Rural = cool, but industrial dumpground = def. not okay.

Also, is there any way to buy a Korea-friendly hairdryer BEFORE I leave? I live in Toronto, BTW.

[cbclark4]

6 weeks! Take a shot! Life is short! Not much to lose!

cbc

[jajdude]

I have no idea, but if it's only 6 weeks for good cash, you'll survive.

[cuckoococoon]

The biggest advice I can give someone who hasn't come over here yet: you are thinking about it too much. Just come and work out the details later.

[silvertoes]

And just buy a cheapo hairdryer when you get here. Or borrow one.

[la_lau]

Thanks for the advice. I'm only troubled by the fact that no one's ever heard of it. I'm a private tutor here in T.O. and even my student from Seoul has never ever been there and doesn't really know anything about it. Am very excited, though.

BTW, anyone heard of Planet People? Are they reputable or no?

[laogaiguk]

Yeoju is not an industrial hell hole. Actually, it's the exact opposite. The government passed laws saying towns along the Han river (which is Seoul's water source) can not be heavily developed, which the people in Yeoju (I know many) hate. It is definitely rural, and because of the law not allowing any pollution to enter the Han river, you should be ok in that aspect.

THere are almost no Western restaurants (fast food, but I think there is a Pizza Hut). THere is definitely no Dunkin Donuts, because at the bus station, people going back (including the people I meet in Seoul from there) always have to take donuts back with them

[Paji eh Wong]

You want to be asking some questions about your employer's reputation. 5K is a lot of money for a short time contract, making it tempting to welch on.

Get some references.

[la_lau]

References are what I'm asking about. I haven't heard about this camp before, and I don't know where I'd find references.

Glad to hear it's a pretty rural town; I loathe fast food, so a lack of it is certainly good for me. Korean food is awesome, so I'm happy to get my tummy filled with the good stuff for six months.

[dogshed]

[CGully]

Yeoju is a nice little town, and for six weeks I think you'll do just fine. There's a nice movie theater, plenty of restaurants, a Domino's Pizza, and all the other Korean "amenities" (PC Bangs, Norae Bangs, etc). There are also some great historical sites (big temple whose name escapes me right now) and a large pottery market.

Plus it takes just over an hour to get to Seoul, and the bus is only 4,300-5,000 won.

If the references check out, then I'd say you landed yourself a great deal. Good luck!

[Qinella]

[Novernae]

[la_lau]

Yeah, true, though I know pretty much every town that's within an hour's distance. I'm concerned that I haven't heard anything about Planet People; how would I go about getting camp references?

[Captain Corea]

Maybe post that name in the Job section?