Expat Living 41
Country Life vs. City Life Tips for Expat Teachers Written and photographed by Maria Moschini
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ince I grew up in Johannesburg, living in a big city was something that I thought I would always do, but when I was offered a place in the Jeollanamdo Language Program (JLP) and placed in Gangjin, I was given the privilege of experiencing small-town country life about 75 minutes south of Gwangju by bus. I have loved living in my little town, but there are some differences when it comes to teaching in the country versus the city, and I would like to share some tips for both. The first thing to determine is what sort of person you are and which lifestyle it is that you are after. Did you come to Korea to meet new people? Do you want to embrace traditional Korean culture or explore modernday Korean culture? Are you okay with a lot of lights and noise? Would you like a more sociable party scene or spending more time outside exploring the environment?
Also, if you choose to live in the country, having a car or motorbike will probably make your life a lot easier. Personally, I do not have either of the above, but I am lucky that a lot of my friends do. Thanks to them, I have
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gotten to see a lot more of Korea than I would have if I relied on the bus system. Although it does run very well, having to rely on public transport can sometimes be tough. Having a car does mean spending money on maintenance, insurance, and gas, but it is a lot cheaper to buy a car and drive here than it is in most Western countries. On the other side of the coin, being in a city would mean that none of the above is really necessary because there are loads of options for getting around – buses, subway systems, and the KTX and SRT trains. They are easy enough to navigate, and there are loads of websites and apps to help you figure out your route.
November 2020
When living in the country, you should try to learn some Korean because there is usually little to no English spoken in smaller towns. I find it way easier to get by if you have a few words and phrases up your sleeve and, obviously, the more you learn, the easier it will be. The English level tends to be higher in the cities, so you could probably get away with less Korean, but I have found the locals appreciate us trying, regardless of where we are placed.
▲ Gangjin: We took a drive and found a random pavilion next to a rice paddy to have a picnic lunch.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
By living in the countryside, there is a chance that you will get paid more, depending on where you live and how many travel schools you have. You will also have a lower cost of living, as well as cleaner air and, in most cases, a bigger apartment. Small-town life also means you have a smaller community of foreigners, and making an effort to meet up with them regularly helps on the days when you are feeling homesick. Living in a city, however, you probably will not save as much money, though you will have better access to nightlife, more food options, and the opportunity to meet new people every weekend.
10/28/2020 10:49:56 AM
