Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Snowkr]

This could be a good thing.
I desperately need to learn this language.

I am in Namyangju now... close to Seoul but not that close... and my students (high schoolers) act like I'm some kind of alien or celebrity. I guess I actually am an alien.

People here have been really nice to me and my co-workers are constantly trying to include me in conversations even though I don't speak Korean (yet) but I'm wondering... is Namyangju really completely empty of foreigners?
I've not seen much of the city yet. Where I live is so nice but the location of the school leaves a lot to be desired.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I sure know how you feel. By the time you start to feel normal around your school and by the time your co-workers get used to the fact that there's a foreigner who also sits in the staff room and goes around to teach the students just like them, your year will be over.

[jeffkim1972]

As i check my historical references. You are the first foreigner in the history of mankind to step foot in Namyangju.

[mrsquirrel]

Wasn't there that guy before, the one who went missing and the reappeared with only half a testicle and no back hair. He was meant to have been mumbiling about carnivorous rabbits or something like that.

[jajdude]

I've been to Namyangju, saw a couple of foreigners who were at a hagwon. I don't know how many hagwons are there, didn't look like many. I think Koreans consider it countryside, though Guri and Seoul are near.

Uiwang is probably similar. I worked there, lived in Suwon, a 15 mintues bus ride. It was the smallest town I worked in Korea. The academy for English was small. The boss had a big academy up on the next floor. I'd go up to do photocopies, and some students, mostly middle school, would gather around and be amused at the white guy acting like a person or something. It was a bit alienating. Kids, teenagers, and adults, having their first interaction ever with a foreigner. One person, my manager, spoke English. The boss had none, but his 6-7 year old daughter could speak pretty well.

Strange how close the boonies are to big cities. The same thing exists in Taiwan. A half hour away, it's another world.

[merkurix]

[B-Teacher]

Don't worry, you're not alone. There's a couple of us in the Deokso/Dogok area.

PM me if your interested in meeting up with us.

[Juregen]

yeah

I am in the Deokso area myself.

I have been seeing an increase in foreigners around here.

[Snowkr]

Where is Deokso?

[Snowkr]

One more thing... I'm thinking there is no Emart around Namyangju but how about something similar? Hanaro...? GS...? Anything of that sort?
I hate to have to go to Seoul for everything...

[jellobean]

Let's see.....

Subway is extended to Deokso....

More foreigners are seen in Deokso....

Could there possibly be a connection?

BEFORE SUBWAY
Recruiter: I have a wonderful school near Seoul.
Prospect: How far away is it?
Recruiter: You can get to Seoul (the outskirts) in just over an hour by bus.
Prospect: Hmmm.... I'm not sure... (Thiniking: traffic, reliability, busses suck....)

AFTER SUBWAY
Recruiter: I have a wonderful school near Seoul.
Prospect: How far away is it?
Recruiter: You can get to central Seoul (jongo) in 45 minutes on the subway.
(Less honest recruiter: You can be in Seoul (defined as Cheongyangni) in 25 minutes on the subway)
Prospect: That sounds good

[B-Teacher]

[Snowkr]

Is Costco actually in Namyangju?

[Fishead soup]

I've been to numerous speaking contests in that area. There are quite a few foreigners. You'll find them by accident.

I was actually the only foreigner in Yeouncheoung once. This is about as far North as they let you go.

[Juregen]