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teacherman1234
Joined: 19 Apr 2007
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 Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:22 am Post subject: Need a little help 'cause im excited but a newbie! |
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Hey everyone,
Ive been trawling the site for sometime now for info (which is top notch by the way) but still not sure where I should go in Korea to teach. Im 24, just about to finish my teaching qualification in psychology in the UK but really want to go away for a year to teach English and see a totally different culture before starting that. Im looking for somewhere:
1. less crowded/polluted than Bangkok, but with a nightlife (Like Chang Mai)
2. Other foreigners around to help with the culture shock
3. Somewhere easy to reach the countryside for the odd weekend away from the hussle.
From what i can gather Ilsan or Busan seem to be good bets, is that right?
On a different note there is some talk on the site about racism,im pretty easy going and respectful of other cultures and am a big boy so can handle any little problems, but does this mean local girls wont be interested? Hoping not to be celibate for a year (heard your todger might fall off if you are), |
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princess
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: soul of Asia
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:38 am Post subject: |
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Uh-oh. Trust me. Deal with pollution. Seoul is THE only place in Korea to live. Compared to Seoul, everywhere else is a hick town, except maybe Pusan. I think I'd get bored there, even. The beach is it's only redeeming quality. Trust me. Pusan has about 6 million people, just like Atlanta. I'd be bored in Atlanta within 2 weeks. Seoul is the third largest city in the world after Tokyo and Mexico City. Other Korean "cities" aren't even in the top 10.  |
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tyleranthony
Joined: 17 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:50 am Post subject: |
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| princess wrote: |
| Seoul is THE only place in Korea to live. Compared to Seoul, everywhere else is a hick town, except maybe Pusan. |
unless you meant "seoul metropolitan area"...i disagree. suburbs of seoul are a good mix. i live in bundang which is about 30 minutes SE of seoul. there is everything i could ever need here...food, bars, shopping, etc...don't get me wrong it is totally boring compared to seoul. i've lived in NYC, washington DC and London...i understand the appeal of big cities as well as anybody...but i'm glad i'm not living in the everyday hustle and bustle of itaewon or gangnam. i wake up everyday and drink my cup of coffee watching the rise set over the mountains...its f*cking brilliant...yet when i want to rage my face off seoul is only 30 mins away.
it really depends what you're looking for. if you're in need of foreigner support, no doubt princess is dead on. you want excitement, living in or around seoul is the only place to be. the most important part is moving to an area (and a school!) that fits your personality. do research on dave's (with a grain of salt...lots of pissed off, cranky people on here), galbijim, and any other resources you can get your hands on to make your decision as educated as possible.
good luck to you. |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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OP. Princess isn't even IN korea.
Where you decide to live should fit with the kind of lifestyle you prefer. I'm a country boy. I live in a small city with maybe 50 or 80 thousand people. I love it. Seoul is a nice place to play, but I never want to live there.
What kind of person are you? If you tell us, then perhaps people can make some suggestions... |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Busan sounds most like what you're looking for. If you can't stand pollution stay clear of Seoul and especially Incheon. |
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poet13
Joined: 22 Jan 2006
Location: Just over there....throwing lemons.
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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| How about Taejon then? More central in Korea than Busan, and still a fairly large city. I don't know about pollution though. |
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teacherman1234
Joined: 19 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 12:22 pm Post subject: |
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cheers peeps, i think i just want somewhere where i can enjoy the city life but not feel that ive started smoking from all the pollution, im pretty easy about most things but having somewhere away from traffic nearby is a must. Having not been to Seoul im not sure if thats possible in the suburbs? Apart from that i think i know what your saying about seoul being the place to go.
One other thing, im thinking of doing the CELTA before going to be more professional and be a better teacher, is it worth the $2000 or should i just learn as i go? |
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bobbybigfoot
Joined: 05 May 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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| teacherman1234 wrote: |
| im thinking of doing the CELTA before going to be more professional and be a better teacher, is it worth the $2000 or should i just learn as i go? |
I had this very same thought. But I decided to skip it. I was able to get 2.2 million as a newbie. Basically you have to shell out 2K, plus give up a month of your life. Will you earn that back? Probably over time. Will you earn an extra 200,000 a month? Doubtful. The public system recognizes it the most. I'd check the pay levels first.
This I think is a personal choice to be made. Unfortunately the fees for this course are out of whack. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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| teacherman1234 wrote: |
cheers peeps, i think i just want somewhere where i can enjoy the city life but not feel that ive started smoking from all the pollution, im pretty easy about most things but having somewhere away from traffic nearby is a must. Having not been to Seoul im not sure if thats possible in the suburbs? Apart from that i think i know what your saying about seoul being the place to go.
One other thing, im thinking of doing the CELTA before going to be more professional and be a better teacher, is it worth the $2000 or should i just learn as i go? |
If you're only planning to do a year in Korea a CELTA isn't worth it. If you're thinking of making TEFL a career you may as well do it sooner rather than later.
As for traffic, it's a biatch no matter where you live. No part of Korea was designed for the volume of traffic that's come with every middle class person and many working class people being able to afford a car. And they drive on any flat surface they can, whether it was designed for cars or pedestrians. I can't walk half way across my town of 20,000 without being cut off by a car at some point. |
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