Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Jabbles]

My girlfriend and I are looking to go to Korea next month and we've got until this weekend to decide between a couple position in Masan and Jeju. The major differences are:

Masan - pays more 2.6M won, is run by an American, and the school has been around for 7 years.

Jeju - pays less 2.1M won, we would be the only foreign teachers, in what will be a brand new non-chain school.

I've taught in Japan before so I know the benefits and down side to an American owner, and the plus side to a school that' s been around for a while. And obviously I know the money is better in Masan, but is it worth living there VS in Jeju?

What I'm really asking is for people with some experience in either having lived or visited either Masan or Jeju, and their impressions.

[Hank the Iconoclast]

Masan. It's near Busan and the KTX runs through there. It's very convenient and not far from the beach either.

Talk to the people who worked at the school before and see whether they were happy or not. I would be weary of new, non-established schools because I would be scared of them folding. However, I am sure the vets can be of more help than me.

[Muhaksan]

I lived in Masan for 13 years..(don't ask).. The KTX does not run through there. It starts in Pusan and goes up through Milyang which is a 40 minute train ride away, albeit an easy transfer to the KTX. The beach? Which beach? Pusan beaches are at least an hour by bus depending on traffic and Kojedo beaches are an hour the other direction.
Masan does have easy access to everywhere on the south coast and is literally next to Changwon. That being geographically. Chronologically, Masan is about 30 years behind Changwon in most modern areas including roads, schools, housing, and what you'd recognize as "the foreigner effect". My Korean wife and I went to Outback (when it finally made to Changwon) and we both agreed..."this will never make it in Masan" The people just seem much more affluent and worldly, whereas I heard Masan city council has banned any "family" restaurants.
There is good food in Masan, lots of seafood and a great mountain with lots of trails.
I've been to Chejudo a few times. Cleaner and nicer than Masan but I don't know about living there. Cheju city looks like any other in Korea. Apartments, buildings with lots of signs, etc...You would be isolated from the mainland....might be a good thing. Weather is a little cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Big mountain. ok beaches, crowded in summer. I could go on about Masan. Good luck.

[just because]

[VanIslander]

You and your girlfriend could really enjoy island living on Jeju. The summer is long and a year flies by.

Masan is my least favorite city in the entire country.

Jeju can be ENJOYED, Masan at best can be tolerated.

Good luck whatever.

[Ya-ta Boy]

Jeju-do is not a very big island. I repeat: Jeju-do is not a very big island.