Korean Job Discussion Forums

teacherman1234 · Joined: 19 Apr 2007

I was hoping to teach in Seoul from around next Feb or March, unfortunately ETIS is Sept-Aug. Can anyone suggest another Government program i should apply to teach in Seoul with? Or should i just go for a Hogwan and scope out the best one i can find? Altrenatively stick with EPIK and live somewhere else for a year? Its hard to know whats best when you havent been to a country before. Thanks in advance, p

tob55 · Joined: 29 Apr 2007

You have the option of finding a school that is not actually in the Seoul Metro area and commuting to Seoul for your activities and fun...The mass transit in this country is quite good, and once you reach the outer hub of the City you can use the subway system to get virtually anywhere in Seoul...

There are a number of fairly good teaching positions within 30 - 60 minutes of Seoul that are rural and many people usually don't opt for those because they feel they will be too far away from the action. However, the travel and cultural experience of being in a rural area a short distance from Seoul can be quite good...

It all depends on what you are looking for in terms of your social life...You can find plenty to do that is not directly in Seoul, but again, many people will tell you to stay in Seoul...I personally think living directly in the City has nothing that would entice me to give up the fresh air I smell living close to the mountains in my rural situation 45 minutes from Seoul...Hope this gives you some help...

Fishead soup · Joined: 24 Jun 2007 Location: Korea

Seoul is over-rated. You'll either end up with substandard housing or you'l
be paying for it out of your own pocket. You will also find yourself in a situation where you're disposable. They have five teachers lined up behind you if things don't work out.

bosintang · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject:

I've lived in Seoul and in Kyeonggi-do, and if I had my time over, I would have only lived in Seoul, or maybe Bucheon, Bundang, or Anyang/Sanbon area, which are nice areas and close enough to Seoul.

But I'm not one to glorify the local experience. I'd rather be closer to the action.

bosintang · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 3:37 pm Post subject:

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

I've always advised people "Seoul or nothing", but of course it depends on what you want. Personally I love living in Seoul (Busan would be nice too) and don't find it over-rated at all.

Ttompaz makes a good point (as always) though about placement- if you get a job in Seoul, find out how far it is from the major hubs of activity like Sinchon and Hongdae, Gangnam, Itaewon and Myeong-dong (can anyone add to this list?). Otherwise you might end up pretty far from all the action even though you're in the city. And don't expect a great apartment if you're in Seoul, unless you want to pay a lot for it.

I find living in Itaewon best because besides living in Itaewon I'm also close to Myeong-dong and not too far from Gangnam or the Hongdae and Sinchon area. But again, that's me.

If you find my advice at all useful or insightful and want more, feel free to PM me.